Is he really a monster? If so, in what way? If not, why is he called that?
In Merry Shelly’s story, Frankenstein, people regard Victor’s creation as a monster, but it is not a monster. The society rejects it and whoever sees it reacts hysterically even though it means no harm. An attractive person can be labeled as a monster by his or her actions and character, but not the way s/he looks.
Victor’s creation might appear as a monster, but inside that hideous looking creature, is a normal being. Society should be blamed for what the creature has turned out to be. People treat it like a monster, and thus it becomes one. The creation becomes the victim of Victor’s obsession.
The creation is not a monster because it has human habits and affection. While observing the cottagers, the Frankenstein’s creation notes that it is deeply affected by the people’s unhappiness. A monster cannot say such things. In addition, a monster cannot care for people it does not even know. Observing the cottagers sympathetically is a reflection of the soft side of this hideous creature. The monster even goes out of its way to rescue a girl, but this kind gesture is misinterpreted.
The monster has all the traits of human beings. Being outlawed and rejected by society is very traumatizing for the monster. From the start of the story, Frankenstein’s creation is misjudged due to the way it looks.
The creation describes the cottagers as perfect human beings and as his “protectors”. The creation is regarded as a monster due to its appearance. For instance, Victor runs out of his apartment the moment he sees it. It has yellow skin and black lips with watery eyes make it abnormal in appearance, which explains why people called it a monster.
Why has this story endured and been so popular for so long?
This story has endured and remained popular for so long as it addresses pertinent issues in society. The issue of scientists creating other beings has been pertinent in society for a very long time. The question of technology vs. morality arises every time the issue of human cloning and stem cell research comes up.
The fact that humans are in a position to so something does not mean they should do it and perhaps Mary Shelley understood this maxim clearly. In the story, Frankenstein, Victor first attends the university where he studies Chemistry and he sets out to unravel the mystery of origins of life by creating a monster.
Similarly, universities are the breeding grounds for scientists who seek to create other beings. The monster becomes rogue and starts working against its creator. It kills Victor’s friends, bride, and associates. The loss caused to the creator is immeasurable.
The contemporary research on stem cells and cloning resonates very well with the occurrences in Frankenstein. Scientists are obsessed with the creation of cells, which will probably give way to the ‘creation’ of cloned human beings. Therefore, Mary Shelley’s story remains relevant and popular as people use it to raise some apposite questions concerning the modern progression in science.
Will the cloned creatures turn against their creators just like the monster in Frankenstein or will they function to accomplish the objectives of their creation? Will scientists be in a position to destroy the creatures so created through science and technology? The above issues are some of the pertinent questions that arise from the story Frankenstein regarding the contemporary events in scientific research and technology. These issues have enabled the story to remain popular for so long.