FRANKENSTEIN'S CREATURE

Frankenstein's Creature

Frankenstein's Creature

Introduction

In the classic Gothic novel, Frankenstein, written by Mary Shelley, the brilliant Dr. Victor Frankenstein created a hideous, giant being from lifeless matter, and brought it to life. Once the monster realized he was run out of a local village because of his ugliness, he returned to seek vengeance upon his creator. It is one of the all time great works of literature and in writing this hub, I have myself, decided to get a copy and read it again. However, this hub is not specifically about Frankenstein, but yet how we become LIKE the good Dr. regarding our problems in life. (And just for clarification, many incorrectly think “Frankenstein” refers to the monster; when in fact, Frankenstein was the young doctor who created the monster. Mary Shelley never gave the monster a name - Dr. Frankenstein only referred it to as the “monster”, “daemon”, “wretch”, or “it”. Likewise, we should NEVER give our monsters (problems) an identity. You'll see why as you read on!)

Discussion Our problems are very much like the hideous creature Dr. Frankenstein created, starting out from bits and pieces of “dead, lifeless matter”, such as our fears, anxieties and worries. (I know this may sound a little “out there”, but stay with me - it really DOES make sense!) And then, like Dr. Frankenstein, we eventually “animate” (or obsess over) all that lifeless matter until it comes to “life”. Once it comes to life, its ugliness becomes horrifying, and we realize we have created a “monster”. When Frankenstein's monster realized what a ghoulish creature he was, he turned on Dr. Frankenstein, hunted him down, and vowed to destroy him if he did not give him a mate. Similarly, our monsters (problems) can turn on us, hunt us down and destroy us, if we allow them to make demands on us. (See, I told you all this made sense!)

In the novel, Victor Frankenstein, eldest son of Alphonse and Caroline Beaufort Frankenstein (who died when Victor was a child), builds the creature through methods of science (he was a chemistry major at University of Ingolstadt, but dropped out) and alchemy (largely Paracelsus and Albertus Magnus) which are not clearly described. Immediately upon bringing the creature to life, however, Frankenstein flees from it in horror and disavows his experiment. Abandoned, frightened, and completely unaware of who or what he is, the monster wanders through the wilderness searching for someone who would understand and shelter him.

He finds brief solace by hiding out in the wood shed of a remote cabin inhabited by a large family. While they are unaware of his existence, he learns every part of their lives by eavesdropping on their conversations; he comes to think of them as his own family. He develops the power of speech from listening to the family teach their language to an Arabian daughter-in-law, and very quickly becomes eloquent and well-mannered.

One day, he musters the courage to finally make his presence ...