characterisation of frankestein

characterisation of frankestein

Characterisation of ‘The Monster’ in Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein

Mary Shelley’s Characterisation of the monster in Frankenstein makes you think differently about the relationship between creation and creator. Throughout the story she is showing the relationship from creation to creator changing towards father and son, referring to the monster as having ‘human characteristics’ and questioning its being.

The characterisation of the creation/monster is based on a number of factors. This includes a lack of nurturing from Dr Frankenstein who has a lack of parental responsibility and abandons him. This situation that the creation is thrown in leaves him as a subject of sympathy to the reader. Being abandoned, a key issue in this text leaves the creation to develop without the guidance that most children experience. As a result of this the creation turns to other figures such as studying the Delacy family and a number of texts to create responsibility and reason within its being. It is a result of this that leaves the creation more human in its characterisation than monster like.

Feeling rejected and without any guidance by the only person the monster feels a connection to Mary Shelley shows the monster-acting child like throughout its rebellion against its father/creator. Just like a rejected son would against his father. Having these brewing emotions but without having any direction or instruction from a father figure the monster reacts in the only way it knows, which is to lash out. This is shown through the monsters actions on hurting the members of Dr. Frankenstein’s family and friends in the second and third volumes. He was ruining his life; the way Dr. Frankenstein ruined the monsters.

When a mother gives birth she generally establishes a natural bond with her offspring. This falls under the concept of parental responsibility, in which the offspring’s creators are responsible for the upbringing of their children.   Dr Frankenstein...