As we
discussed in class Frankenstein’s monster, stands in for the issues of race,
class, and gender in society. This idea of the rejected monster of society is
one that is prevalent through time all around the world. When thinking about
the treatment of the monster in this novel, the first thing that comes to mind
is the slaves during the 1800’s in the United States, even after they were
freed. This notion that even if the person was told that they were free to do
whatever they chose; they still weren’t free within society. They were trapped
because of their race and class within society, similar to that of the monster
who could not be viewed as normal within society because of his appearance. We
see this in the disdain for the world that has rejected the monster in this
passage from the novel: “Shall I
respect man when he condemns me? Let him live with me in the interchange of
kindness, and instead of injury I would bestow every benefit upon him with
tears of gratitude at his acceptance. But that cannot be; the human senses are
insurmountable barriers to our union. Yet mine shall not be the submission of
abject slavery. I will revenge my injuries; if I cannot inspire love, I will
cause fear, and chiefly towards you my archenemy…” (Shelley, pg 102) This passage
gives us a lot of insight into how the monster is feeling about how it stands with
its creator and the society that rejects it. Additionally, if you were to read
this quotation after being told it were said by a slave instead of the monster in
Frankenstein, I would say that it fits pretty well with their feelings toward
their oppressors. This is theme of rejection is something that is universal
across both time and space and will continue to be engaging long into the
future.
I agree entirely with your interpretation of the purpose of the monster made by Frankenstein. He was free to roam the world because his creator wanted nothing to do with him and in a way, this was a privilege because there was nothing holding him down in one area. When assuming this however, emotions are left entirely out of the equation. What purpose does freedom have if it means you have no one to share it with and you are constantly hiding out in the woods? The monster did not want a nomad life, he wanted acceptance and love which he was denied from Frankenstein.
ReplyDeleteThis theme of oppression is especially heartbreaking when the monster tries to make friends with the blind man in the cottage. For the first time in a long time, his spirits are lifted because he finally has the opportunity to have some positive human interaction. After all, the monster is known for driving those away because of his appearance…what better friend to make than a blind one? Just as the conversation starts however, the family of the man return and drive him away once more. This is a perfect example of the false hope he had in the world. When the monster can receive no mercy, he turns to cruelty to give purpose to his existence.
This encounter entirely backs up your argument of similarities between the monster and issues of race in society because in the old days, and as some would argue still today, those of a darker skin color are immediately prejudiced against before they even have a chance to show who they are beneath their outer appearance. When he questions, "shall I respect man when he condemns me," he is reiterating exactly what slaves were saying for hundreds of years. How can one respect and sympathize with another when the other person has no respect or sympathy to begin with?