When Frankenstein creates his monster, he is stricken by the creature’s unpalatable features, immediately experiencing ultimate signs of emotional defeat including guilt, shame, and fear. \u00a0He quickly becomes disillusioned with himself and leaves the ideals of curiosity and wonder that he valued up until this point, completely behind him. One can see the repulsion evidenced when Frankenstein meditates, “I had desired it with an ardour that far exceeded moderation; but now that I had finished, the beauty of the dream vanished, and breathless horror and disgust filled my heart” (Shelly, par. 3).\u00a0 Frankenstein’s ambition and passion became replaced with a primal urge to survive and ensure the survival of his friends and family, a fight-or-flight instinct that grows more and more apparent as the novel progresses. \u00a0Ironically in light of the story’s plot line, the bond that a creator feels towards a creation is one of the most deeply human connections one can ever experience. \u00a0Think of a mother and her child, or an owner towards a pet (this is not a direct example, but it is a similar concept). \u00a0One would think that such a bond would be difficult if not impossible to break. \u00a0In reality, however, all it took was one look at Frankenstein’s monster to obliterate all of Frankenstein’s pride and joy. \u00a0The most superficial principle, that of physical appearance, was enough to fully dehumanize Frankenstein’s creature in the eyes of his creator. \u00a0As Frankenstein’s creation proceeds to humanize himself through self awareness, communication, and the pursuit of knowledge, Frankenstein dehumanizes himself in an incredible streak of atavism, even ending up having to be saved from the elements. \u00a0This exposes the blatant hypocrisy of Frankenstein, as he ends up with far less humanity than his creation.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
When Frankenstein creates his monster, he is stricken by the creature’s unpalatable features, immediately experiencing ultimate signs of emotional defeat including guilt, shame, and fear. \u00a0He quickly becomes disillusioned with himself and leaves the ideals of curiosity and wonder that … Continue reading