The Sun Stays Strong when the Clouds are Gone
The heart of Mary Shelley's Frankenstein is its protagonist's struggle to deal with the responsibility for the tragic consequences of his actions. These actions were performed because of the rejection of Victor. The creature is the sky and the sun represents his kindness but at times there are revenge clouds that overrun his kindness. Although revenge plays a dominant role in Frankenstein, kindness is equally prominent throughout the novel. As the creature is brought to life he is, like any newborn baby, a virgin without evil thoughts and an unbiased soul. As the creature is starting out, Victor leaves him because he is unsatisfied with the end product. Even though the creature is left in the dangerous world alone, he still makes light of the situation. The creature acknowledges, "I was benevolent; my soul glowed with love and humanity: but..." (66). At this point the creature explains to Frankenstein that he did have happiness. The creature not only explains that he is kind but shows his benevolence. Once he realized he caused pain to the cottagers by taking their food, he brought kindle to ease their sorrow. The creature thinks, This trait of kindness moved me. I had been accustomed, during the night, to steal a pa
Although he starts out showing kindness, Victor, along with mankind, continually rejects him. This rejection and abandonment brings anger and revenge. The creature feels his happiness is being overridden by revenge. He comments, "From that moment I declared everlasting war against the species, and, more than all, against him who had formed me, and sent me forth to this insupportable misery," (92). The revenge against Victor became an everyday occurrence in his mind. It grew and grew, and in a matter of time he finally exploded. The creature exclaims, "My daily vows rose for revenge-a deep and deadly revenge, such as would alone compensate for the outrages and anguish I had endured" (96). This vengeance that he held inside all this time was now being unleashed. He took his first victim, Frankenstein's brother, and as he grasped his throat exclaimed "You belong to my enemy to him who I have sworn eternal revenge; you shall be my first victim" (97). This remark implies that the creature understands his pain is caused by Victor and will hurt others including family members. The creature asserts his feelings: I glazed on my victim, and my heart swelled with exultation and hellish triumph: clapping hands, I exclaimed, 'I, too, can create desolation; my enemy is not impregnable; this death will carry despair to him, and a thousand other miseries shall torment and destroy him.' (97). The creature notes that he feels bad for taking the food and does the best to replenish what was lost. As he moves on from the cottagers, he spots a girl
Some common words found in the essay are:
Shelley's Frankenstein, female mate, creature explains, , inner self, revenge creature, heart swelled, hellish triumph, taking food, feels bad,
Approximate Word count = 1039
Approximate Pages = 4 (250 words per page double spaced)
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