The Marginalization of Frankenstein’s Monster

HUMA 1720.The Roots of Western Culture. The Modern Period                          

Wednesday, April 22, 2015                                                        Marlin Tusha

Dylan Dejong                                                                          212377263

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The Marginalization of Frankenstein’s Monster

“I began the creation of a human being” is a powerful statement from the eponymous character of Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein; who is consumed by the desire to discover scientific advancements for creating life (54). Possessed with the knowledge of natural philosophy and chemistry, he spends many months eagerly creating a being, only to construct a monstrous creature whose appearance horrifies its creator. Shelley represents the monster not only as a bizarre figure, but also as a marginalized one. From the moment he comes to life, the monster’s physical differences mark him as an “other”, an opposite of the European ideals of beauty. Despite his attempts, the monster is unable to assimilate into the mainstream human society and is disregarded because of his physical characteristics. In what follows, I will analyze the marginalization of the creature to the works of Condorcet, Descartes, Lock, and Rousseau.

        The treatment of science in Frankenstein is at great length formed as a warning against enlightenment thinking, putting reason above imagination. Condorcet, being the most optimistic of enlightenment thinkers, believes progress in the natural sciences becomes the model for progress in morality, politics, and social economy (179). The use of science and rational reasoning will result in an ever positive/excellent society. However, one of the main reasons why the creature in Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein is marginalized and neglected by Victor is due to Science. Victor expects a perfect being to be created, and when his expectations are proven wrong, he refuses and neglects the creature as his being. Thus refusing the science he had created to traditional beliefs; that his creation was not natural.

Victor shares the same ambition as Walton, “One man’s life or death were but a small price to pay for the acquirement of the knowledge which I sought; for the dominion I should acquire and transmit over the elemental foes of our race” (Shelley 28). Then he concludes, “…yet, when I considered the improvement which every day takes place in science and mechanics, I was encouraged to hope my present attempts would at least lay the foundations of future success” (Shelley 52). The murderous “monster” is not just blamed on Victor’s inabilities as a parent, it is also Mary Shelley’s warning against the use of science; a human attempt to control nature.