Frankenstein Response

I have studied this story many times, in High School, in my first College and now here. However, every time I read/study Frankenstein, my favorite section of this story never changes. The most memorable section of this story for me begins on chapter 10 and ends in the middle of chapter 16. This section is basically showing how society works and also shows the difficulties in life that the monster has to deal with. When it comes to the story of, Frankenstein, there is always a debate on if the monster is actually bad or is it Victors fault for how the monster is; nature vs. nurture. In my opinion I feel sympathy for the monster. He was created, he had never asked to be created and the exact moment he comes alive, his maker runs from him. His maker never taught him anything and Victor was so horrified of the monster, yet he was the one who collected corpse parts to make him. From Chapter 10 to 16, the monster is watching a family and learning from them. He wants to be normal, he wants to speak, he wants to be able to live in society. So, when the monster finally confronts the blind man, De Lacey, he’s able to have a meaningful discussion with him until the rest of his family comes home. Of course, they chase the monster out and are horrified, including De Lacey.

            The monster could have killed all of them, but he loved them too much, even referred to them as his protectors. The old man had no idea what the monster looked like and I do agree that yes, being confronted by what sounds like a stalker is frightening. But at the same time before it was announced that he had been watching them, the monster confided in De Lacey in which De Lacey tells him, “if these friends are good and amiable, do not despair” (Shelley, 247). Yet, De Lacey and his family chase him away when the truth is revealed.

            This section is memorable to me and one of my favorite parts because, even though this story is fiction it kind of relates to society today. Racism still exists and during the time this story was written, racism was in its prime. This section I think upsets a lot of readers, the monster isn’t what everyone assumes he is when they first see him. He learned from these people and wanted to be “normal” to live within society. But because he didn’t look like a normal human being, people banned him. De Lacey was blind; he didn’t hate the monster when he opened his front door and didn’t hate the monster when he was speaking. This section is also the turning point of this story; this section is what changes the characters.  

            There’s a reason why Frankenstein is so famous after all these years, because anyone who reads this story can take something away from it. I think I related to this story more when I was a teenager and now I just appreciate the story and Mary Shelley more.