Wright 1

Lauren Wright

Ms. Winter

British Literature/ Period 1

17 March, 2016

Frankenstein, more like, Frankens-fault

Social deviance is largely impacted on how people are brought up in society.

Frankenstein, written by Mary Shelley and published (originally) in 1818, is a novel depicting

the idea that social deviance and wrongful behavior are the effects of severe oppression. The

reader sees that society hates the creature and in return gets the backlash from the creatures

outbursts. While Victor Frankenstein is the physical creator of the creature, the reader discovers

that the creatures personality is reared by societal views, showing Shelleys point that

oppression, in any way, affects one and can ultimately lead to social deviance- in any time

period. Victor Frankenstein, alone, creates the creature, but the maltreatment society administers

to the creature ultimately causes the spiteful frenzies and commotion involved throughout the

novel.

Victor Frankenstein's plans for creating the creature are originally stated as for the

selfless betterment of the population, but ends the unfixed statement by saying that he wishes to

get credit for his work. There is a hint of pride in hopes that he can succeed when explaining,

Wealth was an inferior object; but what glory would attend the discovery, if I could banish

disease from the human frame, and render man invulnerable to any but a violent death! (Shelley

26). The reader can assume that the creation is, in some way, selfish and subjective. The reader,

furthermore, sees the shift of pride to shame almost immediately. Frankenstein immediately
 Wright 2

questions his actions, asking, How can I describe my emotions at this catastrophe, or how

delineate the wretch whom with such infinite pains and care I had endeavored to form? (Shelley

43). Victor Frankenstein understands he has done something wrong by playing God, but is

incapable of fully understanding the consequences that will follow- for everyone involved. The

word choice Shelley uses emphasizes that the creature is inhuman and drastically different in

every way possible compared to societys idea of normal. Once the creature wakes, the reader

sees what Frankenstein once pictured to be beautiful and glorious has now become vile and

feared. Victor Frankenstein even goes as far to say, I had desired it with an ardour that far

exceeded moderation; but now that I had finished, the beauty of the dream had vanished, and

breathless horror and disgust filled my heart, (Shelley 43) . The first thing the creature comes to

process is that his creator, Frankenstein, is appalled at his appearance. The reader sees

Frankenstein's immediate reaction is to naturally flee, but lacing it with a touch of horror and

disgust, emphasizes societys teachings to be fearful of something different. Victor

Frankensteins reaction to the creature is a metaphor Shelley uses that can be interpreted as

societys way of coping with unexpected events, or in this case, unexpected physical

appearances. The creature's first contact with Frankenstein is far from happy or satisfying and

predominantly sets the stage for how the creature will be treated by society.

The reader sees that societal norms ultimately pave the way for the creature's misconduct.

The monster tries to blend in with the society around him, which he finds is hard to do when

being eight feet tall, yellow [skinned], and absolutely horrid ( Shelley 43, Shelley 43). The

creature struggles with being accepted to the point where he feels he must fight back to rise up.

Whilst saving a young girl from drowning, he is accused of drowning her, and, as a result, is
 Wright 3

shot. He explains his logic for acting out to Victor, saying, This was then the reward of my

benevolence! I had saved a human being from destruction, and, as a recompense, I now writhed

under the miserable pain of a wound, which shattered the flesh and bone, (Shelley 129). The

maltreatment he has received is a direct cause to him hurting others as the story progresses. He

seeks comfort in Paradise Lost written by John Milton because he feels he can relate best with

Adam, created by The Victor, and Satan, betrayed by The Victor. The thought that he is not alone

is what prevents him from fully understanding the drasticity of what he has done and will

continue doing. He realises it is easier to fight back once reading an excerpt that suggests That

with sad overthrow and foul defeat/ Hath lost us Heaven, and all this mighty host/ In horrible

destruction laid thus low... The mind and spirit remains,/ Invincible, and vigor soon returns,

(Milton 135-140). He understands there is more that can be done and feels that he can succeed by

doing wrong. He seeks comfort in knowing other people are also oppressed and learns they are

still prosperous in means of acting out to get their desired goals.

To conclude, Shelleys goal is to present the notion that people who look or act different

are, conclusively, largely emotionally affected by the society they live in. In any time period

recorded, there is proof of defiance associated with oppression or loneliness. The reader sees

that with Frankenstein, the creature is hated so much that he only knows to fight hatred with

more hatred. This vicious cycle of wrongful deeds has no positive outcome in sight, leaving the

whole concept of a plausible solution unimaginable, as is what Shelleys goal of the book is in its

entirety. If something does not change, there is no hope that the future can correct its mistakes,

further emphasized when the creature explains,They are prejudiced against me. I have good

dispositions; my life has been hitherto harmless, ... but a fatal prejudice clouds their eyes, and
 Wright 4

where they ought to see a feeling and kind friend, they behold only a detestable monster,

(Shelley 121). If people can accept others for being different, society as a whole can benefit.

Socially deviant occurrences can be lessened once oppression is halted. The best way to prevent

social deviance is with acceptance and encouragement, and an open mindset when it comes to

change.
 Wright 5

Works Cited

Shelley, Mary Wollstonecraft. Frankenstein, Or, The Modern Prometheus: With Connections.

Austin: Holt, Rinehart and Winston, 1999. Print.

Shelley, Mary Wollstonecraft. Frankenstein, Or, The Modern Prometheus: With Connections.

Austin: Holt, Rinehart and Winston, 1999. Print.