The ‘monster’ is abandoned in the wilderness where he is left to fend and learn the ways of the world alone. He starts his learning process by distinguishing some senses.
‘A strange multiplicity of sensations seized me, and I saw, felt, heard, and smelt, at the same time...’
This quote makes the reader aware of how un-knowing and baby-like he is. Shelley uses the word ‘seized’, in the context that the sensations seized him, this makes the ‘monster’ come across rather vulnerable to the reader.
The ‘monster’ next learns how to satisfy hunger, thirst, and cold.
‘...I felt tormented by hunger and thirst. I ate some berries. I slaked my thirst by the brook...’
This shows the reader that the ‘monster’ needs to eat/drink. Humans do too, however, so do animals. The ‘monster’ next learns how to distinguish some sensations and emotions.
He next learns about the sensation of cold.
‘...I felt cold also.’
This is a human sensation, however, in a later quote; the ‘monster’ explains how he can bore the extremes of cold with less injury than a human.
He next learns about pain and reacts to it by crying.
‘…I knew and could distinguish nothing; but feeling pain invade me on all sides, I sat down and wept.’
This quote proves how he had to deal with his first experience of pain alone, and had no-one to comfort him. Most humans have someone to comfort them when they experience pain. This quote proves that he is to some extent a human being as animals do not cry. This quote also makes the monster appear to be feeling quite sorry for himself and depressed. This would make the reader sympathetic towards the ‘monster.’ The monster then learns how to avoid pain.
‘…I thrust my hand into the live embers, but quickly drew it out again with a cry of pain.’
Although the monster learns how to avoid pain, this quote does prove that before experiencing the pain he had no concept of danger as he put his hand into the fire. This makes the ‘monster’ seem naive, and evokes sympathy in the reader. Because of this experience, the ‘monster’ learnt how to make a fire.
‘I examined the materials of the fire, and to my joy found it to be composed of wood. I quickly collected some branches but they were dry and would not burn. I was pained at this, and sat still watching the operation of the fire. The wet wood which I had placed near the heat dried, and itself became inflame. I reflected on this; and’ by touching the various branches, I discovered the cause, and bruised myself in collecting a great quantity of wood, that I might dry it, and have a plentiful supply of fire.’
This quote shows how the monster observes and discoverers that wood needs to be dry in order to burn. This shows the ‘monsters’ determination and the reader respects him for trying to learn. The learning of how to build a fire is usually done out of choice, whereas the ‘monster’ has to learn in order to stay warm. The ‘monster’ being able to build his own fire shows he has some common-sense, which is a human quality. The fact that the ‘monster’ can build his own fire would make the reader think of the ‘monster’ as independent. The ‘monster’ then uses the fire to cook food on, and learns about his personal food preferences.
‘I tried, therefore, to dress my food in the same manner, placing it on the live embers. I found that the berries were spoiled by this operation, and the nuts and roots much improved.’ The ‘monster’ then finds a small shed to make a home in. He tries to make a comfortable home which is something a human does.
‘Having thus arranged my dwelling, and carpeted it with clean straw…’
The ‘monster’ then find's some cottagers who he observes and learns about. He describes the girl.
‘The girl was young, and of gentle demeanour’
This quote makes it clear to the reader that the ‘monster’ sees kindness and good in people. The reader would therefore think of the monster as a kind and good person himself. The ‘monster’ then observes a young man.
‘A young man met her, whose countenance expressed a deep despondence. Uttering a few words with an air of melancholy’
This quote informs the reader that the ‘monster’ learns emotions from the cottagers. The fact that he expresses an interest in the emotions of others, proves is good natured and has a caring side. The ‘monster’ learns certain words off the cottagers and how to apply them.
‘I learned and applied the words, fire, milk, bread, and wood. I learned also the names of the cottagers themselves.
This quote proves that to a certain extent Victor has created a human, as humans are the only living creature that can speak. This quote makes the monster sound as though he is proud of what he has learnt. This childish joy and proud ness expressed, makes the reader feel proud of him also, and respect his for wanting to learn. Later, he learns that another language exists. It was the French language one of the cottagers spoke, and he desired to learn it.
This was a good like science, and I ardently desired to become acquainted with it.’ ‘
This shows the ‘monster’ is keen to learn. Many humans only know one language, yet, the ‘monster’ who has only just learnt English Desires to become acquainted with another. The reader would respect him for his keenness to learn. The ‘monster’ then learns how to read and write.
‘While I improved in speech, I also learned the science of letters... and this opened before me a wide field for wonder and delight.’
This quote shows he is keen to learn how to read and write. The words used ‘wonder’ and ‘delight’ are very positive words and shows how positive and joyful the ‘monster’ is about learning. The ‘monster’ taught himself everything he knows, and had no-one to help or guide him; this proves again, how independent he is. The reader would admire him for that.
The monster then learns how different he is to others.
‘I was not even of the same nature as man. I was more agile than they, and could subsist upon coarser diet; I bore the extremes of heat and cold with less injury to my frame; my stature far exceeded theirs. When I looked around, I saw and heard of none like me.’
This quote highlights to the reader the differences between him and average humans. The reader may feel sympathetic towards the ‘monster’ at this point as it seems throughout the ‘monsters’ story that all he wants is to be a normal human and to be accepted, he realises here he may never be. From the information given in this quote one could argue the fact that victor Frankenstein did not create a human being. The ‘monster’ describes himself as having a far bigger stature to other humans. He also explains
how he is more agile, could live on a coarser diet, and is not as prone to injury. These are good arguments to why victor did not create a human being. The monster then learns who his creator is.
‘Accursed creator!’ Why did you form a monster so hideous that even you turned from me in disgust?’
This quote shows that when the ‘monster’ finally realises who created him, he is deeply frustrated that his creator, created him, and then abandoned him.
Many of the ‘monsters’ learning processes prove to what extent Victor created a human being. There are both quotes to back up ways that the ‘monster’ created by Victor, is human and ways that he is not. The ‘monsters’ learning process is the same as that of a humans. However, the ‘monster’ had no guidance throughout his learning processes unlike humans, who have parents.
Throughout the ‘monsters’ time in the wilderness he experiences many feelings and emotions ranging from very simple at the start of his life to complex as time goes by. The emotions and feelings experienced by the monster can explain to what extent Victor created a human being.
The monsters felt depressed and helpless when he was left alone in the wilderness.
‘I was a poor, helpless, miserable wretch; I knew, and could distinguish nothing...’
This quote informs the reader how his first emotions were extremely negative. The use of language used by Shelley, helpless, wretch, miserable makes the ‘monster’ seem depressed. The reader would feel sympathetic to the ‘monster’ at this point.
The ‘Monster’ spent some time alone in the forest until he came into contact with humans in a near by village. Many of the villagers fled and some attacked him as they were deeply frightened about the unusual look of him. He left and settled in a hut near a cottage. He found the cottage was occupied and observed the occupiers. He once watched one of them, an old man, play an instrument, he deeply appreciated the sound.
‘...The old man, who taking up an instrument, began to play, and to produce sounds sweeter than the thrush or the nightingale.’
He describes the sound as sweet; his appreciation of music is a human emotion.
As time went by and the longer the ‘monster’ observed the cottagers the more he longed to meet them.
‘What chiefly struck me was the gentle manners of these people; and I longed to join them, but dared not.’
This quote informs the reader of how the ‘monster’ desires social company but dares not to. The reader can assume that is because he is scared of their reaction, after the reaction he faced the last time he came into contact with humans. The desiring of social company is a human emotion, which proves he does possess some human emotions.
The ‘monster’ became very attached to the cottagers, and soon became to care for them.
‘The young man and his companion often went apart, and appeared to weep. I saw no cause for their unhappiness; but I was deeply affected by it.’
This quote shows a caring and sympathetic side to the ‘monster’. The ‘monster’ tells of how he was deeply affected by it, which proves he pities himself. All of these emotions and feelings are human, which proves he does possess some human qualities.
The ‘monster’ expresses a great deal of love towards the cottagers. Despite the terrible response he got off the villagers, he thinks of the humans as lovely creatures. The quotes below prove his loving quality.
‘I longed to discover the motives and feelings of these lovely creatures; ... I should first win their favour then afterwards their love.’
This second part of this quote makes the reader think that the monster is looking ahead and is excited about the prospect of meeting the cottagers, he seems almost, to possess child-like excitement. The loving quality he possesses is a human quality.
Nature brings out emotions of gentleness and pleasure in the ‘monster’.
‘... The day, which was one of the first of spring, cheered even me by the loveliness of its sunshine. I felt emotions of gentleness and pleasure.’
This quote proves that although the monster is abnormally large and deformed he still feels gentle emotions. Shelley may have used these two contrasting topics of nature and beauty because the ‘monster’ is not beautiful, and the contrast is significant.
The monster led his entire life alone, he barely came into contact with humans, let alone be-friend them; he felt severe feelings of loneliness.
‘I knew that I possessed... no friends... I was besides, endued with a figure hideously deformed and loathsome.’
This quote informs the reader that at this point the ‘monster’ knows that he has no friends because they are frightened of his deformed looks.
The ‘monster’ plucks up the courage to introduce himself to the cottagers. He tells the cottagers that they are his last hope of befriending humans, overcoming significant fear.
‘I am full of fears; for if I fail there, I am an outcast in the world forever.’
This quote shows how the monster’ feels feelings of fear. This point in the novel is very important for the ‘monster’ as he says how he will be an outcast in the world forever if they do not be-friend him, this is his last attempt.
The monsters attempt to be-friend the cottagers failed because they judged him by his deformed appearance. The ‘monster then feels utter despair and yells out, asking his creator why he created a monster so hideous that even he abandoned him.
‘Accursed creator! Why did you form a monster so hideous that even you turned from me in disgust?’
The exclamation mark shows his despair as it is used to show the ‘monster’ raising his voice.
The ‘monsters’ despair then leads to hatred; he looses all good feelings to mankind.
‘The feelings of kindness and gentleness gave place to hellish rage and I vowed eternal hatred to all mankind.’
The reader may understand why he has these feelings of hatred as they are aware of all the suffering the ‘monster’ has injured through no fault of his own.
The monster feels the need to take revenge upon his creator, Victor Frankenstein, by killing William, Victor Frankenstein’s younger brother. He shows a lack of conscience after killing William.
‘I glazed on my victim, and my heart swelled with hellish triumph.’
This quote shows how the ‘monster’ possesses feelings of revenge and lack of conscience.
Many of the ‘monsters’ feelings and emotions prove to what extent Victor created a human being. There are both quotes to back up ways that the ‘monster’ created by Victor, is human and ways that he is not. The ‘monsters’ feelings ranged from basic, e.g. unhappiness to complex, e.g. hatred.
Many of the ‘monsters’ actions prove to what extent Victor Frankenstein created a human being. His actions show a lot about his personality.
When the monster first knew about the cottagers he put himself out in order to help them.
‘...During the night, I often took his tools, and brought home firing sufficient for the consumption of several days.’
This taking care of the cottagers far exceeds most human’s kindness. He was not taught this caring quality, he just naturally possessed it. The reader may warm to the monster at this point as humans admire this quality.
The ‘monster’ took food from the cottagers for his own consumption, but when he realised he was inflicting pain he stopped.
‘I had been accustomed... to steal part of their store for my own consumption; but when I found that in doing this I inflicted pain on the cottagers, I abstained.’
This quote shows how he puts others before himself. This action again shows the kind and caring side of him.
However, all of the monsters caring qualities were lost after he tried to rescue a young girl who had feel into a steam, and her father thought he was trying to kill the young girl, and shot him.
‘When the man saw me draw near, he aimed a gun, and fired...This was the reward for my benevolence!’
It is obvious to the reader that the ‘monster’ does not understand the ways of humans. It seems however nice the 'monster' is, he still gets nothing in return. The man simply judged him by his looks. The novel itself is based on the ‘monster’ being judged by looks. Possibly, Shelley has planted a social message within, that messing with nature can pose problems. The ‘monster’ was un-naturally made and consequently turned out deformed. We can relate to this in today’s society as ‘test-tube’ babies are made in a similarly un-natural way to the ‘monster’. Shelley is warning the reader about the risks attached with ‘playing god’.
After the incident involving him trying to rescue the young girl and in return getting shot, the ‘monster’ vowed eternal hatred to all mankind. It seems that everything the monster did after his last attempt at caring for humans failed turned bad. His feelings transformed from positive to negative. Maybe, it was at this point the ‘monster’ was actually born, but do we not act on how we are treated? If the ‘monster’ was shown no affection, how is he meant to show it back? Besides, no-one gave him a chance for him to show then affection.
The monster was so upset and full of rage he decided to take revenge on Victor Frankenstein by killing William, his younger brother. This action of revenge is a human feeling.
‘Frankenstein- You belong to my enemy- to him towards whom I have sworn eternal revenge; you shall be my first victim.’
Mary Shelley may have used the dashes in the speech in order for it to sound more slow and sinister to the reader.
Many of the ‘monsters’ actions prove to what extent Victor created a human being. There are quotes to back up ways that the ‘monster’ created by Victor, is human and ways that he is not. Before the ‘monster’ was dismissed by all humans he came into contact with, the good-heart, self-sacrificing, and kindness shown by the ‘monster’ were possibly even stronger than that of some humans. When the ‘monster’ lost all faith in humans his actions turned to rage full and revengeful actions. The murder he committed on William does not make him a ‘monster’ as some human’s murder. Also, many humans do not even murder for revenge, like the ‘monster did, but for other reasons, such as pleasure.
Many of the ‘monsters’ learning processes, feelings , emotions, and actions prove to what extent Victor Frankenstein created a human being. The ‘monster’ learns a lot of new things, some because he has to in order to stay alive, and others out of choice, he seems to have a desire to learn. The ‘monsters’ learning process is the same as that of humans. He learns about and experiences all of the human life processes. Although animals have the same life processes, humans can be differentiated by having complex emotions, e.g. sympathy, hatred, and depression, which are all experienced by the ‘monster’.
The ’monster’ possesses many human qualities. He experienced loving emotions which is a human quality. He also, desires social company and is intruiged by humans and sees kindness and good in them. He also appreciates artistic type things, such as, music and feels pain, and reacts to it by crying.
There are things that differenciate the ‘monster’ and humans. For instance, a human being must be conceived by both a man and a woman, not made out of other human’s body parts. Another thing, which differentiates him and humans, is the fact that the monster lives out in the wilderness alone, not in a home with a family.
In my personal opinion, I feel the ‘monster’ is human as there are only two reasons to why the ‘monster’ created by Victor Frankenstein is not human, and far more reasons why he can be classed as a human. In my opinion, a human can be defined by having feelings. The ‘monster’ certainly does, as he experienced many.
