A Classic Story Finds Life Again

By TheRaven6825 on November 22, 2015 • ( 1 )

We artists – we create. We can take the hideous parts of life and turn it into something beautiful; something seen from a different perspective through another’s eyes. We are also curious. We wonder why things work; constantly questioning the elements that guide and motivate us.

One author explored the aspects of life, beauty, and curiosity in a gothic tale that still influences the world today.

This Thanksgiving, a new generation will get to know Victor Frankenstein and his creation from another perspective. The story is told from his assistant Igor’s point-of-view, and delves into the scientist’s transition into madness, as he toils over the monstrous being roaming the world freely.

If you read the classic novel by Mary Shelley, you would know that Victor did not have such an assistant and the character was created for Hollywood’s early versions of the story. It has also been misconstrued that the creature’s name was Frankenstein, when it was in fact the name of his creator. Throughout the novel he was known as the “demon,” “monster,” and even referred to as “it.”

Victor Frankenstein was a student of chemistry and alchemy, and soon becomes obsessed with creating life. He manages to assemble a humanoid by unearthing corpses and uses the elements of science to bring it to life. However, he is filled with fear and regret after seeing how hideous the creature is. The creature shows empathy by longing for a companion, but Victor is afraid of what will come if he brings another monster to life. The monster seeks revenge by murdering those close to him and Victor hunts the creature till his death.

The story contains a lot of components relative to humanity even today. While Victor saw his creation to be hideous, the creature was able to find compassion from a blind man. It teaches us that beauty is not always seen, but can be felt. And we humans are always quick to judge a book by its cover rather than discover what is within.

The monster longed for someone to love and to love him, but by being denied that love, he chose the path of murderous revenge. The lack of acceptance by society led him into darkness. They saw him as an evil thing, and it is what he became. There are too many times we pass by those who just want to be acknowledged or to fit in. A little kindness can have big impact on a soul filled with turmoil.

Being curious may not always be a good thing. The story teaches us that some aspects of science should not be tampered with. Victor did not consider the consequences of his experiment and expressed his regret over and over again. He released a being mankind was not ready for, but was smart enough not to share his secret, for fear another may replicate his work.

What you can be curious of is the real story of Victor Frankenstein and his monster. It doesn’t matter how many film versions you have seen, Shelley’s marvelous science fiction tale examines the relationship between man and monster with such depth; one cannot help but feel sorry for both. So scour those shelves or go grab a copy from the library, and indulge in one of the greatest novels ever written.

Sources:

Shelley, Mary. Frankenstein. London: Penguin Books, 1992. pg. 58. Print.

Written by: Donna J. Sanders

Donna is a freelance writer and blogger in West Palm Beach, FL. She is the author of Ataraxia – a poetry collection about the struggles we face, the state of the world and how to see beauty in the simplest things, and Cardboard Signs – poems to bring awareness about homelessness, mental illness, self-esteem and the injustices many face.

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