Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein is a notable piece of literature that explores and unfolds the true meaning of humanity. By opposing the monster created by a scientist and the creator, Victor Frankenstein, the author alludes to the true meaning of being a human beyond the mere form of existence but rather living by virtues. In her book, Mary Shelley poses an argument about the essence of being a human by creating a seemingly dehumanized monster character who ultimately reveals his human traits. Thus, in this essay, it is claimed that the monster designed by Victor Frankenstein is more human than its creator due to the ability to love, longing to have relationships, and living with kindness and compassion.
When discussing the issues of human nature, one should clarify the concept of humanism as a set of values that define purposeful and fulfilling existence with no harm to others. In the novel, a scientist curious about human existence creates a monster, artificially bringing life into the lifeless body (Shelley 51). Despite being an unnatural creature, the monster exerts important humane features that predetermine the value of character. Indeed, since its creation, the monster longs for companionship and social support, which is essential for normal human existence (Chen 114). Without the interactions with others and being neglected in its relationship with Victor Frankenstein, the monster seeks compassion. On the other hand, Victor pursues an isolated dwelling rejecting human interaction, which ultimately affects his personality. He states the following: “I took refuge in the most perfect solitude; I passed whole days on the lake alone in a little boat” (Shelley 172). Thus, the longing for others and the valuing of meaningful relationships in the monster is an important human feature that differs it from Frankenstein.
Moreover, the monster is capable of kindness, love, and compassion, while Frankenstein is cruel, self-absorbed, and focused on power exertion. Indeed, in a conflict with Victor, the monster’s response to threats refers to rationality and compassion. Confronted by Frankenstein, the monster states: “remember, thou hast made me more powerful than thyself; my height is superior to thine; […] but I will not be tempted to set myself in opposition to thee” (Shelley 124). The monster cherishes human life and does not threaten to kill and express power over others, unlike Frankenstein, whose primary value is being superior to others without respect for their existence. Its wrongdoings are accompanied by remorse and a search for peace of mind. However, Frankenstein is unable to show similar human values since he ignores the feelings of other people and his creature. In this regard, the monster has a more solid perspective expressed in its utterance “you accuse me of murder; and yet you would, with a satisfied conscience, destroy your own creature” (Shelley 90). Thus, since Frankenstein lacks pivotal human features present in the monster, he is less human than his creature.
In conclusion, the analysis of the main characters of Mary Shelley’s novel has demonstrated that the monster is more human than Frankenstein. Indeed, the monster longs for companionship and relationships with others while Victor prioritizes solitude. The monster acts rationally and based on values, while Victor blindly exerts power without considering the feelings of others. Lastly, the monster is capable of mercy and compassion, which is lacking in Frankenstein. Therefore, these comparisons demonstrate that the monster is more human than the scientist who created it.
Works Cited
Chen, Lei. “Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein, an Examination of Human Relationships.” International Journal of Education and Management, vol. 6, no. 4, 2021, pp. 114 – 116.
Shelley, Mary. Frankenstein. Barnes & Nobel, 2003.