The Creature Is Not as 'Wretched" as Victor Proclaims. an Essay Based on Frankenstein
Frankenstein by Mary Shelley challenges science when it comes to life, death and the interpretation of god. She introduces us to the character Victor who can be recognized as a mad scientist, he is obsessed over creating a perfect human being. However, according to Victor's actions, his experiment of creating the perfect human being goes all wrong when his creation the Creature comes out hideous (Shelley 43). Nevertheless, the Creature is not as horrible and “wretched” as Victor proclaims. He is a human with feelings and a soul (Shelley 43). The Creature is of a stature far exceeded by humans, he is able to learn without guidance and supervision. Through struggles, experiences and observations, the Creature learns and adapts to the environment without guidance; as portrayed in Darwin's theory of evolution and natural selection, the organism that's best adapted to the environment will evolve into a stronger and powerful being. The Creature is abandoned by Victor, because Victor is afraid of the Creature’s appearance (Shelley 44). This results in the Creature going out into society alone. When the creature encounters Victor later on in the story, he argues with Victor and points out that he has a soul and that he is a human (Shelley 87). The Creature indicates that it is humankind that can't accept him (Shelley 87). The Creature can't accept himself because not even Victor his creator can accept him. He notifies Victor of how his heart grew with love for humanity but humanity rejected him just like victor had he was alone (Shelley 88). All he ever truly wanted was a companion, a friend; this became his only request from Victor. This relates to Darwin's point in regards to how men have to work harder than any other species (326). The Creature had no guidance he was abandoned by Victor. He needed to work his way up. He needed to teach himself he needed to work hard and learn to survive on his own (Shelley 90-97). Darwin indicates that the stronger species will
Cited: Darwin, Charles. The Descent of Man in Relation to Sex. Princeton, N.J.: Princeton University Press, 1981. Print. Hegrat, Nicole. Darwin 's Theory of Human Nature and Its Relevance to Mary Shelly 's Frankenstein. Colorado: Associated Content inc, 2010. http://www.associatedcontent.com/about.htm. (accessed May 8, 2010). Shelley, Mary. Frankenstein. New York: Bantam Dell, Random House, 2003. Print. 1Http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/1661396/darwins_theory_of_human_nature_pg2.html?cat=38