Introduction
In Mary Shelley’s timeless novel “Frankenstein,” acts of cruelty play a pivotal role in shaping the narrative and themes. This essay will delve into how cruelty functions in the work as a whole and what it reveals about both the perpetrator and the victim. By analyzing the instances of cruelty throughout the novel, we will gain insights into the motivations, consequences, and moral complexities surrounding these actions.
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Cruelty as a Catalyst for the Monster’s Transformation
A. Abandonment and Isolation (Shelley, 1818, p. 105)
Evidence: The monster’s creator, Victor Frankenstein, abandons him immediately after bringing him to life. In his excitement and horror at the creature he has brought into existence, Victor flees the room and leaves the newly animated being alone without any guidance or support.
Explanation: This act of cruelty leads the monster to experience profound loneliness and alienation, pushing him towards darker paths. Devoid of any social interaction or nurturing, the monster is left to navigate the complexities of the world on his own. The absence of companionship fuels a deep sense of isolation and vulnerability, pushing him to seek connection and belonging in the face of constant rejection.
B. Rejection by Society (Shelley, 1818, p. 157)
Evidence: The monster’s attempts to connect with humans result in rejection and fear due to his monstrous appearance. Everywhere he goes, people are repelled by his grotesque features, and he becomes an outcast, feared and reviled by society.
Explanation: The constant cruelty from society intensifies the monster’s resentment and fuels his desire for revenge against Victor and humanity. Desiring acceptance and compassion, the monster is met with hostility and prejudice, prompting him to embrace his identity as a feared creature and embrace the role that society has assigned to him. The cruelty of humanity becomes a driving force behind his actions, seeking to make those who wronged him feel the same pain he has endured.
III. The Paradox of Cruelty: Victor Frankenstein’s Motivations
A. Pursuit of Knowledge and Ambition (Shelley, 1818, p. 31)
Evidence: Victor’s relentless pursuit of knowledge and ambition leads him to create the monster, ultimately causing immense suffering. Driven by his thirst for scientific discovery and the desire to challenge the limits of life and death, Victor becomes engrossed in his experimentations.
Explanation: Cruelty stems from Victor’s arrogance, blinded by his ambitions, and his failure to consider the consequences of his actions. He becomes so consumed by his scientific aspirations that he neglects to consider the moral implications of bringing life into the world without considering the well-being of his creation. His single-minded pursuit of knowledge blinds him to the potential harm he could inflict on others and himself.
B. Abandonment and Neglect of Responsibility (Shelley, 1818, p. 79)
Evidence: After creating the monster, Victor fails to take responsibility for his actions and abandons his creation. Overwhelmed with horror and guilt at the sight of the monstrous being, he shuns his responsibilities as a creator and abandons the creature to its fate.
Explanation: Victor’s cruelty lies not only in his creation but also in his refusal to acknowledge his role as a creator, leaving the monster to fend for himself. His lack of accountability further perpetuates the cycle of suffering and cruelty. By turning his back on his own creation, Victor leaves the monster without guidance, love, or understanding, setting in motion a series of tragic events.
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IV. The Monster as Both Perpetrator and Victim
A. Acts of Violence (Shelley, 1818, p. 129)
Evidence: The monster seeks revenge on Victor by committing acts of violence against his loved ones. Fueled by his anger and feelings of abandonment, the monster targets those closest to Victor, inflicting pain and suffering on innocent lives.
Explanation: The cruelty inflicted by the monster is a consequence of the cruelty he endured from society and Victor, perpetuating a cycle of suffering. Having been rejected and tormented by both his creator and the people he encountered, the monster’s actions are driven by a desire for justice and vengeance. His violent acts serve as a twisted attempt to make others experience the same pain and loneliness he has endured throughout his existence.
B. Longing for Acceptance and Compassion (Shelley, 1818, p. 141)
Evidence: The monster’s heartfelt plea for companionship and understanding reveals his vulnerability and longing for acceptance. During an encounter with a blind man, the monster experiences a brief moment of compassion and hope, only to have it shattered when the man’s sighted companions arrive and drive him away.
Explanation: The monster’s violent actions are an expression of his deep emotional pain, as he seeks to fill the void of rejection and loneliness. Despite his imposing appearance, the monster yearns for acceptance and love. His actions, fueled by the emotional torment he experiences due to constant rejection, reflect the deep longing for connection that lies beneath his monstrous exterior.
V. The Impact of Cruelty on the Human Psyche
A. Psychological Torment and Guilt (Shelley, 1818, p. 167)
Evidence: Victor experiences intense guilt and torment as he realizes the consequences of his actions. As the tragic consequences of his creation unfold before him, Victor grapples with the weight of his choices and the suffering he has unleashed.
Explanation: Cruelty takes a toll on the perpetrator’s conscience, leading to inner turmoil and a gradual descent into despair. Victor’s initial excitement and ambition are replaced with remorse and guilt as he recognizes the immense suffering caused by his experiment. The burden of his cruelty haunts him, leading to a deterioration of his mental state and moral conviction.
B. Loss of Innocence (Shelley, 1818, p. 93)
Evidence: The novel portrays the loss of innocence as Victor delves into dark sciences, and the monster grapples with his identity. Both Victor and the monster undergo transformations that strip away their innocence and reveal the complexities of their characters.
Explanation: Cruelty plays a role in shattering innocence, transforming both Victor and the monster into complex, morally ambiguous characters. Victor’s pursuit of knowledge and ambition blinds him to the moral implications of his actions, while the monster’s experiences of cruelty and rejection shape his identity and push him towards darker inclinations.
Conclusion
Mary Shelley’s “Frankenstein” explores the multifaceted nature of cruelty, highlighting its destructive consequences on both the perpetrator and the victim. Victor’s pursuit of knowledge and ambition, coupled with the monster’s yearning for acceptance, leads to a tragic series of events that evoke empathy and contemplation. The novel serves as a cautionary tale, reminding readers of the ethical implications of unchecked cruelty and the importance of compassion and understanding in the face of difference and hardship.
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References
Shelley, M. (1818). Frankenstein. Retrieved from Project Gutenberg: [https://www.projectgutenberg.org/frankenstein-1818]