As Human as It Gets

As Human As It Gets

In the novel Frankenstein by Mary Shelley proves that things are not always what they seem. Harold Bloom, in the “After word” in the Signet Edition of Frankenstein states: “The monster is at once more intellectual and more emotional then his Maker…The greatest paradox and most astonishing achievement of Mary Shelley’s novel is that the monster is more human than his creator. This nameless being…is more lovable than his creator and more hateful, more to be pitied and more to be feared…” When one hears the word “monster” they think of someone who is evil and fearful, with no human like qualities at all. So how is it that Bloom can say that the monster is more human than his creator?

The monsters lovable side shows during his time around the cottagers. For example, when the monster first sees the cottagers he uses their food supply for his own but as he watches them and gets to know them he has a change in heart, “I had been accustomed, during the night, to steal a part of their store for my own consumption, but when I found that in doing this I inflicted pain on the cottagers, I abstained…” (Shelley 109) The monster shows that he really does have a good, kind, and carrying heart. He also shows that he did have good intentions and that he thought about the consequences his actions would have, unlike his creator, Victor Frankenstein, who did not. Another example that shows that the monster is a lovable being are his thoughts about speaking to the cottagers, “I imagined that they would be disgusted, until, by my gentle demeanour and conciliating words, I should first win their favour and afterwards their love.” (Shelley 113) The monster knew that his appearance was gruesome, but he also knew that he had a good heart. He thought that if he could get the cottagers to see past his appearance that they would love him. The monster truly cared about people and tried to show it as much as he could without frightening them. The monster, at first, had one of the most loving, innocent heart but torn apart by society.

Although the monster had a lovable side, he was also very hateful. Such as, after the cottagers chased the monster away certain emotions came over him that he wasn’t quite accustomed too, …”despair had not yet taken possession of me; my feelings were those of rage and despair.” (Shelley 137) The monster could not control his reactions to the terrible thing that happened to him. He shows that he does have the ability to hate and when he does he becomes very mean. When the monster if filled with hatred there is no telling what he will do and it can even lead to something terrible happening. Another instance is the monsters reaction to Frankenstein destroying the creation that was supposed to be his wife; “You can blast my other passions, but revenge remains- revenge, hence forth dearer than light or food.” (Shelley 173) The monster has shown that the hatred he has for Frankenstein turned into revenge and has become stronger. The monster has taken control of this hatred and has used it o his advantage. Creating power over Frankenstein.

The monster went through many circumstances mentally and physically, which cause him to be pitted. For instance while the monster is learning to read and speak he questions himself, “Was I, then a monster, ablot upon the earth, from which all men fled and whom all men disowned?” (Shelley 119) The monster is starting to believe all the things that people say about him because he is lost and does not know who he is. He is sad and lonely inside and only wants someone to talk to, he wants a friend. Another illustration of the monster being pitied is when he is asking Frankenstein to create him a wife, “I swear…by