Which character does the reader have more sympathy for: Frankenstein or his creation?

Language is extremely important in any book, play, film etc. The language of a book can determine sympathy by making the reader feel a certain way. For example when Frankenstein describes the monster as having ‘watery eyes’ we immediately jump to the conclusion that it is not very healthy, or even very happy. Just like this Shelley often determines sympathy using a very clever choice of language. She allows us to think and feel exactly how she wants us to but also, amazingly, manages to make us think how she wants us to. This is the genius of how the story of Frankenstein is told.

The story of Frankenstein is told in a rather unusual way for a novel, in first person narrative. This, whilst being unorthodox, is an extremely effective way of telling Frankenstein. The first person narrative really allows the reader to see things from the three different narrator’s points of view. For example when the monster is at the De Lacey’s house the story is being told from its point of view. If the story were simply being told in an orthodox manner we would feel differently. For example if it said: ‘The monster was caught lurking near the house and, fearing for his family, the old man bravely protected his household by shooting at the vile creature.,’ we would all immediately side with the De Laceys. Frankenstein, being written so ingeniously, is not like this. We see it from the monster’s point of view, it innocently observing and learning then finally getting enough courage to talk to people and being rejected. This is just one example of how Shelley’s way of telling Frankenstein is very effective.

It is also very effective as it allows us to see things from three different points of view, as there are three narrators. For example when Frankenstein says: ‘wretch’ and ‘vile insect’, the reader thinks of the monster in a very negative way, however when the monster speaks for itself and says: "I have good dispositions; my life has been hitherto harmless and in some degree beneficial; but a fatal prejudice clouds their eyes, and where they ought to see a feeling and kind friend, they behold only a detestable monster," we see things from its point of view and feel sympathy for it. The phrase ‘fatal prejudice’ explains exactly what people are doing to the monster and how it is just as bad as racism or anything like that. We make a judgment before we hear the monster’s side of the story.

Before we hear the monster’s side we think of the monster in a very negative way. Frankenstein often uses nasty words to describe the monster and this forms the reader’s opinion. Before we even hear the monster speak we make a negative judgment on it. This is very clever writing by Shelley as it is making us do exactly what the other characters in the book do to the monster. Once we hear the monster speak we change our opinions however whereas the other characters do not. Frankenstein and the creature both have very intriguing final speeches which further help us to make judgments on them both.