Frankenstein is a novel written by Mary Wollastonecraft Shelley. In it the author tries to prove that knowledge can be dangerous. On the example of Frankenstein’s fate Shelly explains that it is not always right to cross the boundaries and to go beyond human knowledge.
So, the story mainly focuses on the two characters: Victor Frankenstein and the monster. Thus, since childhood Frankenstein was interested in science and human nature. He was spending hours in the laboratory conducting experiments. However, it was not enough for the ambitious scientist. Victor wanted to create something that the world has never seen before. He wanted to act as a God and to create human. It is clear that Frankenstein had never thought about the possible consequences of this dangerous experiment till he saw his monster. The monster was so ugly that Frankenstein simply escaped from it.
It should be also noted that the monster felt miserable as well. He was abused by his own creator and by all humans. Wherever he went, he was perceived as a terrible and disgusting creature. Being disillusioned by human’s nature the monster had no other choice but to come to his creator and to ask Frankenstein to create a female monster.
It is also worth considering chapter 17 of the book which focuses mainly on the conversation of Frankenstein and the monster about whether the scientist should create a female monster. The tone of this passage is really changeable. For instance, it is rather aggressive when Frankenstein refuses to make another monster. However, it soon becomes rather miserable and emotional when the monster tries to convince the scientist to create a female for him. In fact, this part may be considered as the tensest moment or the climax of the passage. It allows the readers understand how miserable and devastating the monster is. Therefore, he states, “Let me see that I excite the sympathy of some existing thing; do not deny me my request!’ (Shelley 176). It could be easily seen that the monster is truly devastated. It should be also noted that the structure of this passage differs from the structure of the rest of the text. For instance, in order to make the conversation of the two characters more soulful and affective, the author uses a wide range of interrogatory and exclamatory sentences. Such sentences perfectly reveal the war of words between Frankenstein and the monster, where each of them tried to prove one’s point. Moreover, with the help of numerous questions used in the passage, Shelley raises a question whether the monster is capable of having a normal life and whether he deserves it. At some point, while reading this passage it is possible to feel sympathy and pity towards the monster. Furthermore, the author used a wide range of figurative language which makes the story more impressive. For instance, such metaphors as “I desolate your heart”, “portion of happiness” in the same context make the story full of contrasts. In fact, it is possible to say that the whole personality of the monster is full of contrast. On the one hand, he seeks for his portion of happiness just like any human. On the other hand, he can desolate the whole world. The passage is also full of epithets, for example, miserable, hated, insurmountable, detrimental, horrible and many others. These epithets help the readers to understand the way the monster feels. They also make the story rather tense and contribute to the atmosphere of the passage which is rather negative.
It is also possible to say that chapter 17 of the novel is full of complications. Thus, according to Shelley’ language style, it becomes clear that the monster is associated with something negative and dangerous. However, this passage raises doubts about this point of view. From monster’s talk with Frankenstein, it is evident that the creature feels miserable and disillusioned by humans’ behavior. The monster has made many efforts in order to receive at least some sympathy or understanding from people. However, all his attempts were in vain. That is why he asks his creator to make something that would love him. It is clear that monster’s monologue arouses some sympathy with the creature.
All in all, this chapter is very expressive and is full of complications. It definitely raises the question whether the monster is evil or not and whether he deserves sympathy or not.
Works cited
Shelley, Mary Wollastonecraft. Frankenstein. Planet eBook. PDF file. 4 Mar. 2016
