Frankenstein and his challenge to mankind

Frankenstein Glog

Henry Eschricht

Meehan – English and Lit

February 2012

            Mary Shelley bestows Frankenstein’s monster upon us in order to subtly challenge every facet of mankind’s brittle morals. Through the synthetic beast, we see both the deepest fears and the most distant dreams of human beings come true. Shelly doesn’t just challenge one group however; she showers us with a spectrum of human morals and how they are reflected through their interaction with a quasi human. Shelly Begins here story with a series of letters from a sailor that open a window of curiosity for the reader.

            Through Frankenstein’s creation of the beast we see human beings undying need to become godlike. Frankenstein becomes divine when he creates another human being; he is a creator of mankind. “The sight of the awful and majestic in nature had indeed always the effect of solemnizing my mind, and causing me to forget the passing cares of life” (91).  He did not consider any of the repercussions that would entail is faux creation of a human being and instead narrow-mindedly focused on conquering divine abilities. When he becomes weary of this godlike rush, he falls into a deep pit of reality in realizing what he has done; he states, “A thing such as even Dante could not have conceived” (61).  This is ironic because he has, through action and quotation, been jettisoned from the divine to the satanic.

            Next we see the undeniable intolerance of human beings through the beast. While the beast is viewed as, well, beastly; at the same time he represents the pinnacle of human tolerance and moral fortitude. He understands human ignorance, saves lives, and desires the acquisition of knowledge. When he is seeking a human for advice, he already understand that almost all people will immediately see him for the beast that he is; so he, as a many inspirational story will repeat, goes to the literally (and figuratively) blind, who will appreciate him for what he is really worth. It is remarkable that he can understand this concept at such an immature point his understanding of mankind and their complex emotional system. The irony behind this is that, while the beast epitomizes a moral human being it is interesting to see that his innocence betrays him. Frankly (no pun intended) if the world was like the beast, it would be a better place, yet no one in this world accepts him; even when he beseeches a friend in a blind cabin occupant.

            In the following events of his betrayal of human emotion, he soon is educated as to the reason behind this mysterious excommunication he suffers. “Looked upon them as superior beings, who would be the arbiters of my future destiny” (105). The irony is so apparent it is slightly uncomfortable her, which is perhaps, what Shelly has intended to do here. What humans should be like emotionally has betrayed the visual standards of the species, while the visual standards of the species have betrayed the morals human beings should have. This raises the question if being a human is defined more by your emotions or your physical appearance? And if it is, what does that make Mr. Frankenstien? A god? A demon?