25 Comments
Bessie Downse
12/4/2020 03:13:18 pm
Being completely exiled and isolated from the whole world is the kind of treatment a criminal or a villain deserves. It is a lifestyle that most people would not wish on their worst enemy. Unfortunately living the life of loneliness and heartbreak was Victor Frankenstien’s creature’s lifestyle. After being thrown away from all of humanity, the creature has only himself and nature too spend his days among. After sharing everything he has done in his life to Victor, he concludes his speech with a demand. He asked for a companion to spend his days with. HIs argument consists of making his creator feel sorry for causing his life to be this way, threatens him with more violence, but eventually promises to resort from all of humanity. He says, “I will revenge my injuries: if I cannot inspire love, I will cause fear…” (Shelley 129). However, he goes on to say, “If you consent, neither you nor any other human being shall ever see us again,” (Shelley 130). The creature was very strategic with how he went about asking for a companion. He made a huge, long speech about how everything he did in his life led up to this moment and tied every single event into his argument. Explaining all his heartbreaks and struggles were to make Victor feel like a bag guy, explaining how his violence was out of anger to his creator made him fear for future acts of violence, and the promise allows for comfort that it will never happen again. As shown in future chapters, this was a successful argument and Victor would have been a fool to say no.
Anne Elizabeth
12/8/2020 12:46:34 pm
"Being completely exiled and isolated from the whole world is the kind of treatment a criminal or a villain deserves". EEEHHHH! I don’t know about that one, Chief; I disagree with that statement right there because there are some people in the world who are introverted and love to spend (Me-time). Does that person become criminal or a villain just by separating or rebelling against the community. Don’t think so! Exactly, I sort of think this is the creature's first move in a way to, welp there’s no subtle way to say this. Take revenge due to the things he had to go through for a prolonged amount of time. Ultimately, an Antisocial person isn’t always an antagonist.
Sofya Kovalevskaya
12/10/2020 05:46:55 am
I agree with your opinion on the well-structured presentation of the monster’s request because I think that was a very key factor in trying to appeal to Frankenstein. I also agree with the fact that the creature had been very wronged in life by humans so creating a mate was a very good compromise to make it up to him. However, I also kind of understand Frankenstein’s point of view, and I don’t think he was necessarily a “fool” for declining the request in the end. This is because the lives of many individuals were at risk here. Frankenstein knew that he hadn’t taken care of the monster, and he felt guilty about it, therefore I think, his denial was a result of this overflowing guilt. Putting myself in Frankenstein’s shoes, I understand why he made that decision. This is because at the time, he had lost both William and Justine, therefore, he probably thought that making this mate may result in the loss of lives of many more humans, not just his family. It was a gamble and although I don’t really agree with his decision, it was a pretty reasonable one.
Fanny Rysan Mulford Hitchcock
12/4/2020 11:04:39 pm
The Creature was able to guilt Victor into granting the Creature's request of creating a female creature. He describes his life as "miserable" and lives as an outsider. He goes into great detail to discuss the people he was able to observe, including the DeLacey family. He thoroughly expressed his desire to be loved while watching them, and said, "...the greater became my desire to claim their protection and kindness; my heart yearned to be known and loved by these amiable creatures.." (Shelley 117). He wanted what Victor had: loving family and friends. The Creature's story allows Victor to see the true human side of his creation to show how he wants everything normal people do. The Creature also uses a scare tactic by saying, "...if I cannot inspire love, I will cause fear…" (Shelley 129). Victor's greatest fear seems to be that the Creature will do something horrendous. His suspicion about William was right, but who could be next? If Victor's fear is having his sense of normalcy taken away by his creation, will the Creature kill people like Henry Clerval as well?
Maria Gugelberg von Moos
12/4/2020 11:29:34 pm
The creature's plea to Frankenstein was reasonable because after all that he had been through, all he wanted to do was be loved and accepted by another being. He just wanted to fit in and have a family, similar to the De Lacey's that he encountered earlier on. To have someone that would feel the same way and end up loving him, it would be an instant relief after all of the hatred and discrimination he's faced from humans. If I were Frankenstein, I wouldn't agree to his pleas. I do believe that the creature's offspring would be potentially dangerous as the creature has proven to have a tendency to kill. He even threatens Frankenstein that he will destroy him if he doesn't have a companion. The idea of the creature having offspring sounds like it could have a bad outcome because he could teach his children that humans are against them and to kill. It is evident that all the creature wants to do is be happy with a family of his own. He was even willing to move far away from civilization in exchange for a mate. Although they could be living by themselves in peace, there is a huge possibility that they will come across humans at one point. No one would know how the creature and his family would react to this situation, in part to his own past trauma that he probably instilled in his offspring.
Bessie Downse
12/6/2020 12:39:02 pm
I can see where you are coming from but I disagree completely. Personally, I believe that the creature hasn't given any thought to having an offspring. He craves showing love and affection, yes, but I do not think he has even thought anywhere outside of having a spouse to love. Additionally, he promises Victor that if he does this thing for him, he will never resort to violence, and given how much he has hated the repercussions of it and his values of how humans should behave, I doubt he will break that promise. Lastly, everytime he has come in contact with humans, it had resulted in running away in fear and ultimately getting very very hurt.
Maria Gugelberg von Moos
12/6/2020 04:56:55 pm
The reason why I thought of offspring was because the creature appeared to want to have a loving family beside him. Perhaps having a companion wouldn't be enough and he would long to have a child of his own. I am aware that he promised to Victor that he wouldn't resort to violence but there is always a possibility. From my understanding, he hadn't run in fear every time he came in contact with humans. As a result of his hatred towards Frankenstein, he had killed William. That hatred was so strong that he was able to do something as intense as that. I'm sure that he still holds that resentment in his heart and is able to bring it out when initiated.
Mercy B. Jackson
12/6/2020 03:15:40 pm
I agree with the fact that the creature's plea was reasonable, but I disagree with your decision to deny the request. The monster compromised to be peaceful and move far away if Frankenstein did what he asked, so if you were him, why wouldn't you do it to prevent further harm? Also, if you were Frankenstein, and you were that worried about the creature and him mate reproducing, you could just make the proper adjustments when building the female body to prevent that from happening, right?
Maria Gugelberg von Moos
12/6/2020 05:09:00 pm
I had only thought of how the creature was able to kill if motivated. There aren't many possibilities where this could happen in the future but it's an important detail. The creature is able to harm human beings if his resentment towards them is strong enough. If I were Frankenstein, I honestly wouldn't be able to trust he wouldn't create harm since he killed my brother. I hadn't thought about creating the female creature without reproductive organs. With this in mind, I think that it would be nice to give the creature a female companion. However, there is a risk they could work together, bound by love, and do what it takes to get that revenge. Part of me believes that the creature will stick to his word while another part believes that he will just take Frankenstein's compliance to do as he says as an invitation to wreak havoc.
Eliza Walker Dunbar
12/6/2020 10:53:11 pm
I think this is now getting into a nature v. nurture conversation. Was the creature created to be evil or was that a product of being neglected? Would the creature's companion be a monster or would the creature's love soften her heart? Would their offspring be born vile or would it be taught? Isn't there always the chance that his companion could teach their children not to fear humans as would have very little experiences with humans, good or bad. If Frankenstein did actually go through with creating a second creature it's possible that the creature might see humans in a different way, because this would be an example of Frankenstein doing something nice for the creature. I think there are too many unknowns, which is likely why Frankenstein decided to stop. This could've gone well but it could've took a turn for the worst just as easily.
Eliza Walker Dunbar
12/5/2020 05:36:49 am
I personally think the creature's argument was fair. Any time he tries to reach out to a human he's yelled at, called names, and/or shot at. When that little girl was drowning he saved her life, and instead of praise he received a gunshot wound. Due to his appearance, because he looks different from the "norm", he's never going to be loved the way he wants to be. In his argument the creature used pathos, pointing out the fact that all of this is because of Frankenstein, and he promised to flee the country and leave mankind alone. The creature says "I intend to reason ... for you do not reflect that you are the cause of its excess ... If you consent, neither you nor any other human being shall ever see us again (Shelley 130)." This made Frankenstein feel like there was "some justice to his argument (Shelley 130)", like as his creator he owes him happiness.
Bessie Downse
12/5/2020 01:59:26 pm
I agree with your statement; the reason why his life is this way, is because of Victor. By making him feel bad, the creature creates a great argument. I loved the way you included pathos in your argument. That really ties it into real world conflicts and adds another great aspect of literature and analysis. I wish you elaborate a little more on it more. You could have included something like: May Shelley chose to use pathos while writing the creature’s argument to show just how much sadness he had in his everyday life and wanted Victor Frankenstein to pity him so much that he agreed to his demands.
Mercy B. Jackson
12/6/2020 03:04:40 pm
I completely agree with everything you said, especially the part about Victor not always thinking things through, or considering all of his options. He could avoid the monsters having offspring by simply not giving the female reproductive organs. Furthermore, Frankenstein creating a living being and doing absolutely nothing to teach or care for it only led to distress and hurt for not only the creature, but other humans as well. It seems pretty obvious to me that the only way to get rid of this problem is to try treating this creature with he respect it deserves for being forced to live his life. Unfortunately, Frankenstein doesn't share this view.
Fanny Rysan Mulford Hitchcock
12/6/2020 06:23:52 pm
Gertrud Woker
12/9/2020 01:02:15 pm
I agree with your statement. One thing that I think contributes an interesting perspective to the discussion is that of Frankenstein's God complex. We already know that he had a great upbringing, surrounded by parents who loved him and essentially treated him like a god. Further in life, his deep study and understanding of Anatomy, Physiology, and Alchemy caused him to bring together dead body parts and create new life. However, I think his parents' treatment of him as a child also contributed to his initial belief that he held the power of Life in one hand, and Death in the other. He thought he could attain anything, even the creation of an entirely new being. So, when Frankenstein's creature asked him to create a companion, regardless of the convincing that the creature made, I think it would be fair to assume that Frankenstein would've made a mate for his creature solely on the basis that he was a god and could do whatever he wanted.
Mercy B. Jackson
12/6/2020 02:49:09 pm
I think that the creature's request of Frankenstein was reasonable.
Mercy B. Jackson
12/6/2020 03:16:53 pm
Word count: 285
Fanny Rysan Mulford Hitchcock
12/6/2020 06:08:13 pm
Personally, I am not sure the Creature considered having offspring. He just wanted to be loved, and believes that being in some sort of relationship with someone like him will help him adjust to society. He's not really looking ahead into the future. His suffering needs to be assuaged. Having Frankenstein fulfill his request will allow him to achieve the instant gratification he has been desiring for so long. It's like if you have $100 and you find something you want to purchase now, but rather you could have invested that money and let it make more money.
Eliza Walker Dunbar
12/6/2020 10:28:05 pm
I agree, I think it is very important that the creature is taught civility, and I think it's Frankenstein's responsibility to teach him that. The creature sees humans in a bad light, any contact he's had with them seems to go in an unfavorable way. This could really be a turning point for his perspective of humans. Frankenstein could take this opportunity to parent the creature, to show him some kindness even if it's not love. This could show the creature that not all humans are bad, which might change the way he would raise kids if given the opportunity. However, I do also agree with Fanny's response, I don't think the creature was really thinking about having kids because he is still sort of in a childlike mindset. He seems like he's searching for the affection of a parent or wife rather than the affection of his own child.
Anne Elizabeth Ball
12/8/2020 12:36:15 pm
I am really shocked to know that Mary Shelley doesn't mention the monster's sexual needs although he wants a mate for companionship. But whereas, on the other hand, the first letter written by Walton to his sister mentions this desire for companionship as well. Victor has second thoughts only to be moved by the monster's arguments. At this point, Victor and the creature are as equal. But the thing to notice and to emphasize on is that what the monster lacks is a formal education and the knowledge to create his own mate. But at the same time I believe that creature has been through a lot of mental stress and tension and thus Whatever you ask for, you shall receive.
Getrud Woker
12/6/2020 07:35:52 pm
I believe the creature's request for Frankenstein to make him a make was very reasonable. First and foremost, the creature never asked to be created and then be immediately discarded and abandoned. The creature formulates his arguments in three distinct ways: 1. By making note of the fact that he was shunned by the world, and subsequently becoming lonely. 2. His natural proclivity towards wanting a mate for companionship and to uphold a normal relationship to depart from engaging in violence. 3. Threatening Frankenstein and his family if he didn't give him a mate.
Sofya Kovalevskaya
12/10/2020 06:00:41 am
I strongly agree with your last statement about humans fearing what we don’t understand. This is seen in everyday activities as most people tend to be drawn towards what they are familiar with, instead of something new. This is also a major reason for multiple struggles we face in society currently, majorly, discrimination. Do you think the monster would have been treated differently if the people understood him? I think humans in general don’t like feeling inferior and that is exactly how the monster made them feel, in addition to fear of course. But do you think if all these things remained, just understanding the creature alone would cause them to react differently?
Anne Elizabeth Ball
12/8/2020 12:27:14 pm
The creature tells Victor "You must create a female for me with whom I can live in the interchange of those sympathies necessary for my being." Victor refuses and then later changes his mind to the creature's wishes. The creature threatens "I will work at your destruction, nor finish until I desolate your heart, so that you shall curse the hour of your birth." The creature also pleads his case saying, "My creator, make me happy and do not deny my request." The creature promises to move far away from continental Europe to the wilds of South America to basically scare Victor and try to convince him. The creature definitely formulated his argument and was very successful because he connected Victor with emotions which led him to relent his wishes. If I was Frankenstein, I would agree to it just for the sake that I would be the creator of the creature hence, it’s my duty to fulfill his wishes. Especially because the creature looks like a monster, he is treated as one despite his initial existence, and so he becomes one. Because Victor looks like an angel, he is treated as one despite being a monster, and he never grows and changes.
Getrud Woker
12/9/2020 12:26:26 pm
I like how you connected Frankenstein and the creature's emotions and how they were treated by society turning them into what they are. The creature was treated like a monster by everyone around him, obviously including Frankenstein. As you put it, "he is treated as one despite his initial existence, and so he becomes one." He never would've become one if everyone treated him with respect and accepted him for who he was. But it's not a perfect world. And Frankenstein was held in high regard, basically treated as perfect. I think Frankenstein would've been even more remiss if he had not decided to craft the creature a companion. Frankenstein already made the creature's life torment, it would be stupid not even to acknowledge his demand.
Sofya Kovalevskaya
12/10/2020 05:38:02 am
After the monster was created, most human interactions usually left him hurt, be it physically or emotionally. Even with the De Laceys, he found out that they didn’t really need him anymore and that broke his heart. Even after he saved a girl, the villagers were still referring to him as a monster. Given this unfair treatment and the lack of love or affection during his upbringing, it is only fair that the creature yearned for a companion so that he would be loved. The creature is able to successfully formulate a very professional and reasonable format to make this request. He makes multiple promises and even vows not to come back into the life of Frankenstein after he received his mate. Your comment will be posted after it is approved.
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