I call reading novels luxuries of life. One of the novels I didn't regret buying and reading this year is the F r a n k e n s t e i n ! It belongs to the gothic fiction and I felt that it altered my brain chemistry.
After I watched the movie, "Mary Shelley," played by Elle Fanning, I am astonished to read her works. Who would have thought that a young woman at 19 had written a monstrous novel during the times where only men are allowed to write?
When I bought this book, I was expecting of a wrathful monster relentlessly torturing people. I have imagined a monster devouring human flesh and a serial killer like Jason Voorhees. I have judged too much the monster on the book.
A monster abandoned and dreaded by its own creator.
It feels reading Paradise Lost by John Milton. Or the tale of the bright and morning star.
He chose to be evil because that's how humans viewed him, so he decided to become one.
The monster that Frankenstein has created was unaware of how hideous he looks like. The moment he is brought upon existence, Victor Frankenstein flee and regret his existence. I imagined he would be barbaric in nature, but my goodness, he acts like an idealistic child. Longing and seeking companionship and socialization. He thought he would experience that but he didn't know he was ugly from the outside.
But when he found out how displeasing he was, he decided to learn how humans speak and tried to copy their soft voices, so as they won't be scared once they will hear his speech. He is hopeful, he feels love for the families he was observing in the woods. He didn't act monstrous and he was very optimistic.
Not until human beings wanted to kill him, but he refused to hurt them and decided to run away. Was that even a monster at all? If he was truly, his barbaric nature must appear as a sort of defense against a physical threat. But he has morals. A monster with emotions and compassion.
If I had not bought this book, I would forever think it's about a horrible monster tale. But I was wrong and I was surprised by what's inside of it. This chapter of the novel deeply hurts,the monster begs for a mate/a companion so that he won't be alone because he realized it is never possible to mingle with human beings. He promised that after his companion would be created, he will leave the place together with his pair and Frankenstein will never be able to see them again.
But promises are meant to be broken..
Victor Frankenstein finally accepted the deal and promised that he would create a companion for him. Just when he was able to form the shape of a creature like him, he regretted and loathed it. So he decided to destroy it where the monster is watching and his heart was shattered into pieces.
I admit I am not terrified reading this novel but I am psychologically affected. We always hate the villains of the story because we only see the bad story, but not the reason of becoming why. Victor Frankenstein should have not created him if he had cursed his existence. He should have at least guided him, and not left him wandering without knowing where to begin. He is the real villain and is of utmost selfishness.
Yeah, the monster killed his family members at the end because he is mentally wrecked and lost. But if only he had shown him love and not abandoned him, the monster wouldn't have asked for a mate or companion in the first place.
He wants to feel the belongingness and to be loved.
Thanks for a great review of a literary classic!
As teenagers, my sister and I stayed up all night watching Frankenstein: The True Story (1973) - a vivid and riveting account of the doctor and his creation. It really captured the tension and conflict you describe here. The "monster" is innocent until he is hated and reviled... I should find and rewatch this movie, even though it's about as cinematic as "Dark Shadows" (a show that looks like a high school play when I revisit it as an adult, but as a child, I had no idea it was melodramatic with laughably lurid special effects).
Hi carolkean, thanks for dropping a comment. Wow, I haven't watched that movie yet, but I recently watched the movie "Lisa Frankenstein; it's a comedy-horror film. Thought you might like to watch it too. I'm also going to consider watching Frankenstein: The True Story. 🧟♂️
What monster has compassion and emotions? I'm amazed. This seems to be the sort of book that doesn't go as one would expect.
Exactly. I imagined it's morbid and torturous but I am left captive by the sentiment of the monster. Now I see this book differently than what I always imagined it would be.
I remembered reading a variation of this too and it was one of my must read during college. Anyhow, that cover version is really good. Where did you get that version?
Hi @macchiata, I really love this book and the hardbound cover is so elegant, worth the money. I get it from the locally owned bookstore near our place.
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