Frankenstein, who is the creature?
Once again I am writing for this blog. The reason is that I was planning to bring Frankenstein to class so that other students could borrow it. That is why I just decided to write this review to encourage my classmates to read it, or at least, to explain some important themes the book deals with to those who may have already – or will- read it.
Victor Frankenstein has a happy life with his family. However, he decides to study at the University of Ingolstadt. A long way from his hometown, he starts to investigate what gives people life. He becomes so obsessed that he starts to create a creature from limbs and other parts of dead bodies. When he accomplishes this difficult task, he suddenly realizes his mistake and abandons the creature he has created. The creature does not know anything about human beings –he cannot even speak- but he gradually acquires a human-like behaviour by observing a rural family. However, he is rejected, even mistreated everywhere he goes. Knowing that he will be alone for the rest of his life, resenting the abandonment of his creators, he decides to take revenge on Victor by killing people he loves.
This Gothic story brilliantly portrays the consequences of Science, which has boundaries that human beings must never cross. Victor goes beyond those boundaries by creating an artificial creature. He plays God and that has consequences. Victor’s excessive worship of science, alongside his selfishness -he abhors his own creation and abandons him-, leads him to suffering throughout the book.
Who is the creature in this story? Victor is a human that has shown no respect for his creation. The creature, nonetheless, is just looking for anyone that loves him. He saves a babe from drowning but his father shoots him; he helps the rural family with the tasks but when they see him they despise him, and he has to wander alone and remain hidden in case someone tries to kill him. The more he learns about human behaviour, the lonelier he feels. On the other hand, Victor is depicted as a selfish character who has everything the creature cannot have: a family. In fact, the relationship between Victor and his creature can be defined as a "doppelgänger relationship". The doppelgänger is the evil double of one person. The creature is the manifestation of Victor Frankenstein’s inner dark side (the same could be applied to Dr. Jekill and Mr. Hyde). When Victor Frankenstein is happy outside, the creature is miserable inside. The monster is evil outside (his aspect is hideous) but good inside. The creature could hence be considered as a reflection of Victor’s authentic, repressed feelings.
The story also reflects on the humans’ behaviour. No one in the novel gets to accept Frankenstein as it really is because of his hideous aspect. He is abandoned by Victor; he is shot after saving a baby, and everybody tries to hurt him. We reject others when we consider them different and that is why the creature does not fit into the human world. He learns to speak, to reason, to discuss; but he can't be accepted just because of his aspect. As you may have observed, this story seems of topical interest nowadays. We still laugh at others because of their physical aspect.
To sum up, Frankenstein can be read as the rebellion of a son unjustifiably abandoned by his parent, as the rejection of a human citizen because of his aspect, and as the isolation of a creature that is “born” with goodness but becomes evil because of the influence of human beings. I definitely encourage you to read books and to review them on this post! See you, mates!
Once again I am writing for this blog. The reason is that I was planning to bring Frankenstein to class so that other students could borrow it. That is why I just decided to write this review to encourage my classmates to read it, or at least, to explain some important themes the book deals with to those who may have already – or will- read it.
Victor Frankenstein has a happy life with his family. However, he decides to study at the University of Ingolstadt. A long way from his hometown, he starts to investigate what gives people life. He becomes so obsessed that he starts to create a creature from limbs and other parts of dead bodies. When he accomplishes this difficult task, he suddenly realizes his mistake and abandons the creature he has created. The creature does not know anything about human beings –he cannot even speak- but he gradually acquires a human-like behaviour by observing a rural family. However, he is rejected, even mistreated everywhere he goes. Knowing that he will be alone for the rest of his life, resenting the abandonment of his creators, he decides to take revenge on Victor by killing people he loves.
This Gothic story brilliantly portrays the consequences of Science, which has boundaries that human beings must never cross. Victor goes beyond those boundaries by creating an artificial creature. He plays God and that has consequences. Victor’s excessive worship of science, alongside his selfishness -he abhors his own creation and abandons him-, leads him to suffering throughout the book.
Who is the creature in this story? Victor is a human that has shown no respect for his creation. The creature, nonetheless, is just looking for anyone that loves him. He saves a babe from drowning but his father shoots him; he helps the rural family with the tasks but when they see him they despise him, and he has to wander alone and remain hidden in case someone tries to kill him. The more he learns about human behaviour, the lonelier he feels. On the other hand, Victor is depicted as a selfish character who has everything the creature cannot have: a family. In fact, the relationship between Victor and his creature can be defined as a "doppelgänger relationship". The doppelgänger is the evil double of one person. The creature is the manifestation of Victor Frankenstein’s inner dark side (the same could be applied to Dr. Jekill and Mr. Hyde). When Victor Frankenstein is happy outside, the creature is miserable inside. The monster is evil outside (his aspect is hideous) but good inside. The creature could hence be considered as a reflection of Victor’s authentic, repressed feelings.
The story also reflects on the humans’ behaviour. No one in the novel gets to accept Frankenstein as it really is because of his hideous aspect. He is abandoned by Victor; he is shot after saving a baby, and everybody tries to hurt him. We reject others when we consider them different and that is why the creature does not fit into the human world. He learns to speak, to reason, to discuss; but he can't be accepted just because of his aspect. As you may have observed, this story seems of topical interest nowadays. We still laugh at others because of their physical aspect.
To sum up, Frankenstein can be read as the rebellion of a son unjustifiably abandoned by his parent, as the rejection of a human citizen because of his aspect, and as the isolation of a creature that is “born” with goodness but becomes evil because of the influence of human beings. I definitely encourage you to read books and to review them on this post! See you, mates!
Thanks Miguel, great job as usual. Hey folks, keep sending your book reviews!
Now, I thought I should insert a couple of Franky-related clips. The first is a humorous Jib-Jab sendable, which insists on the need for a new American President ... Start trembling, Mr Obama!
Then, on a more serious, scary note, this is the terrifying 1931 movie classic's trailer, starring the legendary Boris Karloff:
Hey! Great review and videos! I vote Frank for president! There are many films about Frankenstein and, althoug that old one is awesome, I love 'The young Frankenstein', it's so funny, I almost laughed my head off!. And, as it is said, the proof of the pudding is in the eating!
ReplyDeletehttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XaPZZJVDx6Y&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cw2IIU0a9qw
María.
wow, "althougH"!
ReplyDelete