Introduction
Society has acceptable norms ranging from physical appearance to the characters that individuals should depict. Therefore, characters who deviate from normal behaviours and whose bodies have been physically deformed to a certain degree are always characterized as monstrous. Such characters may generally be a product of genetic mutation or created from the available materials. However, history needs human capability to create such characters. Due to this kind of deformation, human beings tend to dissociate themselves from such creatures and instead tend to live in fear of being ravaged by the Monsters. A sense of fright, loathsomeness, evil, and obscenity becomes the order of the day whenever human beings interact with such creatures. However, to a certain degree, the level of Monstrosity depends on the beholder; this is because some physically deformed animals may scare others but not frighten others. Is Monstrosity a perception? “Frankenstein” by Mary Shelley gives an in-depth revelation of Monstrosity and how “human behaviour to some degree affects the ability to be a monster” (Shelley, 32).
The theme of Monstrosity is evident in different dimensions, with the author tending to reveal some of the human perceptions that make a monster behave as it does. From this novel, the burden of why a creature becomes monstrous rests on the shoulder of human beings. Unlike the ordinary human who is always under the care of society in terms of necessities, the Monster created in the novel depicts one who has been rejected by the creator. By virtue of being rejected by the owner, a series of rejections follow, and the Monster that has been created suffers from the fate of mistreatment by the whole society. Shelley, therefore, explores the idea that monsters are created as a result of the maltreatment they are subjected to by society at large and that human perception plays a great role in the behaviour of demons.
Body
First, the creation by Frankenstein is regarded as a killer creation. This is revealed by the fact that he creates something that is not only strange in terms of physical appearance, but that is also dangerous in its action hence killing on some occasions. The Monster revealed in this story, however tends to be special since it strikes a balance between how to nurture a monster and balance it with nature. The tension that tends to arise between an individual and the society at large is also balanced by the creation of this Monster.
Secondly, the creature created by Frankenstein lives without a name in society. This is unlike other normal creatures that are given decent names at a tender age. This fete creates a difference between the perceived demon and the society at large. The creature is therefore victimized by society by being given a threatening name. Such a name can generally be associated with the evil in society, amongst other uncalled characters. The object created by Frankenstein offers a union between animals and humans at large; this raises the question of how the Monster in the novel is depicted.
Furthermore, the creature is first created by Victor; it behaves like a normal being, having the curiosity to learn and master the contents of different activities and those living in its surrounding. The being is, therefore, not only innocent but also has the eagerness and curiosity to participate in the world as a normal being. He intends to put behind the difference in its physical creature from other beings and survive in the world just like the other humans. The fact that it suffers complete rejection from the creator makes it a different thing. Frankenstein’s rejection of the Monster makes it live in solitude and complete fear in society. It makes the creature re-examine itself and make a realization that it is not normal.
After Victor’s rejection, society also rebels against it making it a stranger and unwanted being in society. The gravity of its Monstrosity, therefore, sinks into it, making it live in fear and try to defend itself when situations arise. Any of his encounters with the human, therefore, tend to be full of vengeance, especially for those immediately surrounding its creator. It is based on this act of revenge that makes the creature kill the brother of Victor. From this submission, it is evident that perception and treatment given towards monsters at a tender age can influence their behaviour from a general angle. Whenever hatred and negative profiling is the order of the day, characters tend to adopt a dangerous lifestyle; this is because they neglect the ability to live for enjoyment and adopt the theme of living to survive. However, a decent treatment may make a monster suspend its Monstrosity and make it inactive. The behaviour of society, therefore, has a general influence on how human beings behave hence influencing their characters.
From the theme in the novel, the idea of Victor being a monster is also examined. First, the idea of Victor creating a monster depicts him as a monster. This is because he creates something whose physical appearance is threatening hence making society live in fear. His creation also leads to the death of his brother, making him labeled as a monster. From this first instance, it can be stated without fear of contradiction or negligence that Victor portrays himself as a monster by creating a very dangerous creature.
The general appearance that Victor created an animal that he could not control and that he thereafter rejected reveals him as a monster. He ought to have been cognizant of the dangers the creature would have on society without being given appropriate control. The lack of moral responsibility when things get worse depicts him as a monster since he lacks the mechanism to cool down the Monster and make things better in society. Such actions do not only reveal Victor as a person who is after fame without being concerned about the welfare of others but also reveal him as someone who is arrogant and who does not examine the consequences of certain decisions before making them. The decision to make this creature, therefore, depicts him as a very dangerous monster. Therefore, by losing his brother through the Monster, it is depicted that actions have consequences and that he who digs a hole for others may as well be buried in it. Victor, in the novel, says that, “Fear overcame me, I dared not advance, dreading a thousand nameless evils that made me tremble, although I was unable to define them” (Shelley 73). It clearly depicts how he regretted the decision he made to create the Monster.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the novel presented by Shelley challenges society’s understanding of what it means to be human and the appearance and characters that are associated with being human. It demonstrates that the perception that a human being may have towards something may ultimately influence how the creature behaves. To avoid the creatures from behaving in a manner that depicts hatred, it is prudent that human beings analyze things before making judgments. Monsters, on the other hand, are used in society to pass certain teachings, and if properly allowed to socially integrate with humans, it is evident that they can direct their energy to positive developments within the society.
Works Cited
Shelley, Mary. Frankenstein: The 1818 Text. Penguin, 2018.
Shelley, Mary Wollstonecraft. Frankenstein, or The Modern Prometheus (1818). epubli, 2022.
McAvan, Emily. “Frankenstein Redux: Posthuman Monsters in Jeanette Winterson’s Frankissstein.” M/C Journal 24.5 (2021).
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