How Human Is the Creature in Frankenstein - Essay Example

?How human is the Creature in Frankenstein? The creature in Frankenstein is a of debate in literature since his status as a human being or a monster is not clarified in the novel. Some critics say that the creature is a human while others consider him a monster. The fact is that the creature in Frankenstein is neither complete as a human nor as a monster, though his positive behavior and actions make him resemble humans much more than the monsters. A monster is frequently defined as something that is inhuman. A monster is perceived as a thing that does not have any concern for nature or life or anything that is good. Monsters in literature in general and movies in particular are shown as men that do such horrible things as murder, genocide, and rape. Monsters shown in the cartoon movies and the Halloween costumes project a very light and untrue kind. The real concept of a monster is that of an inhumane and evil being that lacks feelings and emotions for the things that human beings generally worry about or take care of. The term monster does not contain what is believed by many to be the essential traits of being a human. The creature in Frankenstein is referred to as a creature numerously because of the reason that he does not possess the physical traits that are needed to be considered as a human being. The book describes the creature as something very hideous without any doubt; “His yellow skin scarcely covered the work of muscles and arteries beneath; his hair was of a lustrous black, and flowing; his teeth of a pearly whiteness; but these luxuriances only formed a more horrid contrast with his watery eyes, that seemed almost of the same color as the dun white sockets in which they were set, his shriveled complexion, and straight black lips” (Shelley 45). This description of the features clearly illustrates that the creature is anything but beautiful which is unlike what Frankenstein originally intends the creature to be. Although from reading the description of the features of the creature, the audience cannot infer that he is a human being, yet the surficial inhumanness does not provide a reason to consider the creature as downright inhuman because he could be human inside. Above all, there is one fact that cannot be denied that makes it a human, which is not about the question of him being a human or otherwise. Before evaluating the status of the creature as a human being, it is customary to analyze what it meant to be considered a human in the early 1800s. The main point to be considered at this point is that the humanity of the monster is defined in terms of its tendency to understand and use language to communicate. Language provides a way to examine an individual’s station in life. Language indicates the manners of an individual. As the character of the monster progresses through the story, the character becomes more understandable as well as likeable. One factor that plays a role in this is the ability of the monster to communicate in words. The readers can clearly infer that in spite of the horrid external appearance of the creature, he is loveable at least in the start. By nature, the creature cares for others and wants to have a family and be accepted in the society. The conversation of the creature with Victor and the Old DeLacey in the novel reflects this desire. The creature did not know any language when he had separated from Victor Frankenstein at first. However, he learns French that is the area’s language by watching the DeLaceys and listening to them. The creature later learns how to read through three books’ discovery that were authored by Goethe, Plutarch, and Milton. These books provide the creature with knowledge about a distinct aspect of the life of human beings, and enable the creature to have a better understanding of language than before. It is noteworthy that the creature learns to speak French. French has been recognized as a language which causes the speakers to be “…politely submissive to those above him; and this tone forms the character of the language in general, so as even to regulate the tone of the few who have occasion to speak with authority” (Kames 238). Even when the creature communicates with Frankenstein in an authoritative way, the creature not only remains decent but also calm in demeaning him. This property of the creature indicates that he is a human being. An in-depth analysis of the character suggests that it acquired most of the wickedness from the way it was treated. Although the character starts out as a human that is inherently good, yet the society’s far worse than adequate treatment of him as a human causes the character to switch over to his wicked ways. The creature is particularly forced by the blatant rejection offered by his creator to become vengeful and exhibit it by assassinating the people who are close to Victor. These actions are essentially some irresistible obligations that the poor treatment by the society imposes upon the creature. The character does retain his sense of humanity in spite of the fact that his actions and behavior at this point make contradict his status of a human. The character is able to convey his personal desires as well as the results of the desires that are not being fulfilled to Frankenstein in a very succinct and intellectual manner. This ability of the creature indicates its humanity in a very real way. James Hatch has discussed the reflection of the concepts of disgust, sympathy and shame in the novel in his essay, and the way these concepts play a role in the development of the monster. In the introduction, he says, “…the outside of the creature – ugly and disgusting – is judged by the people he meets to be his inside (which in fact is sensitive and benevolent, and this ideally human and humane)…” (Hatch 33). Although the novel does not end in the exquisite indication of the creature as a human being instead of a monster, yet the readers can definitely infer his humanity from the grief, regret, and sorrow shown by the creature upon the death of Victor as well as his display of his own desire of death. Another factor that points toward the human status of the creature is his creation by Victor as such. The factor that creates a major difference between the behavior of the creature and that of the humans is the fact that after creating it, Victor does not train it in such a way so as to make it behave like a human being. The creature has to learn the human ways itself e.g. learning the French language. However, this does not completely detract the creature completely from the humanity. The language of the creature is not an adequate justification of him being a human being. However, the language he uses provides the creature with a way to dawn his humanity upon the readers since the creature frequently makes use of eloquent prose for the expression of his emotions and desires. Although his language does not make him different or isolated from the rest of the creatures in the forest where the creature has been impounded, yet it serves as a platform through which the creature defines his humanistic traits and abilities to the society that does not consider him human and deal with him in derogatory ways. The creature uses the language to complain before the society that he does not approve of the way he is behaved with and that he is neither being accepted by the society nor being given the status of a human being that he actually is. Concluding, the creature in Frankenstein is partly human and partly monster, though the behavior as former dominates that as latter. The author has mainly left it up to the readers to decide whether the creature should be considered as a human or a monster which is why, the subject has been debated upon by many critics in the literature. Apparently, from surficial features, the creature cannot be considered as a human, yet when his behavior is studied, human emotions and sensibility can be witnessed in the creature. Victor does not train him in ways as humans need to be trained which is why the creature is not able to fully prove and justify its status as a human being. However, there are various indications of him being a human that include but are not limited to the creature’s ability to learn the French language and the creature’s grief and sorrow upon Victor’s death. Certainly, an animal, a monster or anything less than human cannot display these qualities. Taking everything into consideration, the creature can be said to fall in between a human and a monster with the humanity being more obvious in the creature’s behavior as compared to being a monster. Works Cited: Hatch, James C. “Disruptive affects: shame, disgust, and sympathy in Frankenstein.” European Romantic Review. 19.1. (2008), 33-49. Kames, Lord H. Sketches of the History of Man: In Two Volumes, Volume 1. Edinburgh, 1774. Print. Shelley, Mary W. Frankenstein, or, The Modern Prometheus. Cambridge: John Wilson and Son, 1941. Print. Read More