Noah Inada

Mrs. Schirripa
English 12P
1/12/16

Frankenstein Essay

We define an invasive species as one that disrupts the natural balance of the
previous inhabitants. We then portray these species as vermin, creating chaos where
there was once peace, and we consider ourselves saints by slaughtering these species.
In reality, we planted the invasive species in a non-native land and they simply did what
they were made to do- reproduce. In turn, we punish them for what we did. This naivety
and ignorance in our real world is analogous to that in the book, the invasive species
are not the animals of the real world, or the creature of Frankenstein, by Mary Shelley,
but rather the invasive species is mankind.
It is ironic that throughout Frankenstein, the creature is constantly portrayed as a
friend, a monster. Victor resembles what our society chases like rabid dogs- foolish
conceptual fantasies such as glory and fame. Ideas implanted in our mind that are of no
pragmatic value, yet we yearn for, at the expense of others. Following this analogy,
Victors lack of responsibility mirrors that of society as a whole. Mankind ought to
cherish, or at least assume responsibility for what we have created, but instead we will
abhor something for being as simple as unaesthetically pleasing- such as the creature.
[The Creature] ought to by thy Adam; but [he is] rather the fallen angel. (Chapter 10)
The book is a critique of what society, the real monsters, habitually act upon.

The creature was formed from what is portrayed as a hideous, almost sinful
assembly of stolen body parts. Considered revolting, Victor flees from his responsibility,
and society follows, leaving the creature alone and miserable. "Accursed creator! Why
did you form a monster so hideous that even you turned from me in disgust? (Chapter
15) Yet, despite being formed from utterly monstrous substance, despite being born into
a world of isolation, the creature still has a gentle, compassionate heart. The creature is
considerably more admirable than a human, still having the capacity to reason after
such a horrific learning environment. And still, simply due to his shortcomings of
aesthetical standards, we alienate him. "I admired virtue and good feelings and loved
the gentle manners and amiable qualities of my cottagers, but I was shut out from
intercourse with them, except through means which I obtained by stealth, when I was
unseen and unknown, and which rather increased than satisfied the desire I had of
becoming one among my fellows." (Chapter 14)
Many will argue that it was only Victor that was the monster, that society as a
whole cannot be held responsible for his actions. While this is, from a micro standpoint,
true, the story should not be taken solely as literal, linear plotline with a twist. We miss
the overarching concept that is simply being portrayed, with the story as an analogy.
Society would have acted, arguably, no different than Victor had they been in his shoes.
He is just as human as the rest of his neighbors- just as much a monster. Safies father
rebukes Felix simply due to racism- analogous to the story as a whole. M. Krempe
feigns ignorance, dismissing Victors passion as rubbish. Robert Walton would have
sacrificed the lives of his crew to attain glory. While these characters are creating

unhappiness and disruption due to human flaws, the creature only seeks
companionship.
Society chastises the byproducts of our actions and fails to assume proper
responsibility. Focusing on fixing the result of the problem, rather than the source of the
problem- the methodology. The ultimate monster is ourselves, who yearns and searches
for obscene concepts holding no real value. Exponential decay, the creation of true
monsters, comes from prioritizing the wants of one over the good of the whole. After all,
What can stop the determined heart and resolved will of man? (Letter 3).

Works Cited
Nobes, Patrick, and Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley. Frankenstein. Oxford: Oxford UP,
2000. Print.