Tuesday, January 18, 2011

In Frankenstein, just how human is the Monster? Decide on a percentage and give at least three examples from the text to support your answer.

I suppose the answer to this question depends in large part on how we define humanity.  However, based on how Shelley characterizes the creature, I think we as readers are led to regard the creature as fully human.  Throughout the novel, the creature has simply wanted other human beings, namely his creator Victor, to show him love and affection in the way that children long for their parents to show them love and affection.  Similarly, the creature wants others to accept him as a member of the community, and he is thrilled when he finally meets an old blind man at the cottage who cannot see and judge his physical appearance, and who therefore treats him with respect and concern.  Finally, the creature asks Victor to create for him a mate who looks like him so that he can have a companion, which is arguably a very human desire.  So even though the creature did not have a human birth, and although he commits despicable acts throughout the story, the creature does have human desires and emotions that beg sympathy from the reader.

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