Gloomy and Hopeless

This week in class, we were asked to write about the characterization of the creature in Frankenstein. How does Mary Shelley characterize the creature in the passage? The passage I chose was page 917. In this passage, Mary Shelley characterizes the creature as incredibly gloomy and hopeless who yearns for human interaction. The creature attempts to integrate himself into human social patterns, but his hideous features frighten all who see him. The townsfolk have demoralized the creature, and have forced him to live a life of isolation. "I was in reality the monster that I am, I was filled with the bitterest sensations of dependence and mortification." (page 917) As a result of his isolation, the creature discovers the world on his own. The creature observes his fellow neighbors and develops an elegant and formal speech. "Yet I pronounced such words as I understood with tolerable ease." (page 917) The juxtaposition of this speech with the creature's deformed features, create an effect that increases the reader's understanding of the creatures tragedy. The irony is that the townsfolk fear his monstrous presence, but are monsters themselves for lacking empathy and mercy towards the creature. The creature strives
to formulate a connection with his neighbors by understanding them. Mary Shelley portrays this when she says, "My thoughts now become more active, and I longed to discover the motives and feelings of these lovely creatures." (page 917) To conclude, the creature is a dynamic and round character. Mary Shelley wants the audience to sympathize with the creature when he is forced to live a life of isolation.