Monstrum In Frankenstein Essay
Do you recognize the word monere? How about monstrum? Or demonstrate? All of these words contain a single root, the same as monster. Monere, to warn or instruct. Monstrum, an unnatural warning. Demonstrate, to clearly explain with evidence. Monster, an embodiment of a warning or instruction. Cultures use monsters to instruct us of wrongdoings in society. So what do we learn from Frankenstein? Or is it Frankenstein’s monster? In the novel Frankenstein, Mary Shelley compares the characters of Victor Frankenstein and his monster to show that it is not those who are different, but those who treat others poorly for those differences that are monsters.
Victor’s decision to abandon the Monster based on his appearance is a cruel and monstrous action. …show more content…
With Frankenstein now dead on Walton’s boat, the Monster visits to recognize the loss of his creator and only companion. Walton witnesses the Monster’s sudden appearance and recognizes his hideous figure. He writes to Margaret that “I shut my eyes involuntarily and endeavoured to recollect what were my duties with regard to this destroyer. I called on him to stay” (209). Walton, indeed, like others, has a natural inclination of disgust towards the Monster due to his appearance; however, it is only he who has taken the time to ascertain the Monster’s story, and with this knowledge he no longer runs away scared from the beast but instead recognizes him as a living being. Walton understands this to be part of his “duties”. As a moral person it is his job to hear him out, not to simply label the Monster as, just that, a “monster”. Walton not only acknowledges the variation between the Monster and himself, but also their similarities; he has heard the Monster’s tale of sorrow and pain, he has heard of his previously kind heart, and he has heard of his terrible choices. But, Walton has not heard any of this from the creature himself. And thus, here we are, he called on him to stay. Walton is the only one to not act on human nature, to not reject differences as inferior. If human nature had its way we’d all be
Victor’s decision to abandon the Monster based on his appearance is a cruel and monstrous action. …show more content…
With Frankenstein now dead on Walton’s boat, the Monster visits to recognize the loss of his creator and only companion. Walton witnesses the Monster’s sudden appearance and recognizes his hideous figure. He writes to Margaret that “I shut my eyes involuntarily and endeavoured to recollect what were my duties with regard to this destroyer. I called on him to stay” (209). Walton, indeed, like others, has a natural inclination of disgust towards the Monster due to his appearance; however, it is only he who has taken the time to ascertain the Monster’s story, and with this knowledge he no longer runs away scared from the beast but instead recognizes him as a living being. Walton understands this to be part of his “duties”. As a moral person it is his job to hear him out, not to simply label the Monster as, just that, a “monster”. Walton not only acknowledges the variation between the Monster and himself, but also their similarities; he has heard the Monster’s tale of sorrow and pain, he has heard of his previously kind heart, and he has heard of his terrible choices. But, Walton has not heard any of this from the creature himself. And thus, here we are, he called on him to stay. Walton is the only one to not act on human nature, to not reject differences as inferior. If human nature had its way we’d all be