Unfortunately, we are nearing the conclusion of novel
Frankenstein we have been reading in AP English. It is true that every novel
has its own life lesson to offer to its readers, and Frankenstein is no
different. Mary Shelley’s original intent in composing Frankenstein was to
create a modern horror story that highlights the romantic period. But it also
targets the greatness as well as the vices that reside within every human
being.
The basic instinct of every human, of living organism in
fact, is to find a mate and reproduce. But in society, this simple fact of
living must be backed with compassion. And if one cannot come to possess this
compassion from another organism, it would seem that one would begin to crave
it more than anything. This is exemplified when the beast exclaims that food
and rest will no longer be required in pursuit of revenge on his creator, upon
witnessing Victor rip his unborn companion to pieces. The beast craved this
compassion so ardently, that it festered into an obsession. It can be argued
that once a person/beast becomes obsessed with attaining a certain thing,
unmentionable deeds can be committed in blind pursuit of this often
unattainable goal, which is another human vice Mary Shelley intends to target. Examples
of obsession are seen twice, both in Victor and in his creation. Victor worked
feverishly, while his health suffered, to reach his goal of creation, only to
look upon it with horror once it had been achieved. The beast then goes on to
live his life being despised by the human race, even though his first thought
of the species was compassion. But he becomes so lonely and obsessed with acquiring
a companion that he would destroy all that his creator loves just to be able to
have it. This is the basic idea of obsession that has the potential to bore
itself inside all people if given the opportunity.
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