Harry Potter was a strange boy. He loved to do homework and could not wait for school. The strangest thing was that he was a wizard. And even for a wizard he was quite strange. At the beginning of Harry Potter’s journey, the young boy entered a strange new world so unlike his reality, he was utterly confused, but still filled with awe. By the end of his crossing, he entered an enlightened stage and as a result, became a hero to us all. Bizarrely, Mary Shelley’s novel, Frankenstein in a way, abides by the same basic pattern. To many, the monster of Frankenstein became an abomination to the world. But for the few with just that correct perspective, he was something much more than a mistake. Soon you will see the lighter side of the monster, shown to you as a young boy entering the world of witchcraft and wizardry. In this essay, you will realize how a disfigured character like the monster of Frankenstein shares the qualities and follows the same pathway to enlightenment just as our hero Harry Potter did once before.
The monster of Frankenstein awoke into a strange new world terrified, confused and unknowing of all the wonders around him. Awaking into a mysterious new world, the monster soon understands he is abnormal and unusual compared to the typical man. Even from the eyes of his own creator he was a hideous mess.
I saw the pale student of unhallowed arts kneeling beside the thing he had put together. I saw the hideous phantasm of a man stretched out, and then, on the working of some powerful engine, show signs of life and stir with an uneasy, half-vital motion. Frightful must it be, for supremely frightful would be the effect of any human endeavor to mock the stupendous mechanism of the Creator of the world. (91)
The Essay on Character Analysis – The Monster In Frankenstein
The monster’s physical grostequeness, as well as murderous deeds – his strangling of William, Clerval, Elizabeth and framing of Justine – tempts the unthinking reader to believe that the monster is the embodiment of evil. However, on analysis, the reader realizes that this is not entirely true. Mary Shelley has gone to great lengths to portray the monster as less of a ‘daemoniacal corpse’ and more ...
Terror was filled in the heart of the creator. Even the inventor who had the power to produce such a man was worried of its presence in this world of his. But still this knowledge did not stop the monster from pursuing a life of his own. He himself knew he is capable of much more than mockery and ridicule. Just as Harry Potter did when he realized he was a wizard and not just a common boy to be teased and mocked upon by his cousin, the monster tried to fill his soul with a new life. “I was benevolent; my soul glowed with love and humanity” (101).
Frankenstein began to see a brilliant new world filled with hopes and dreams. Terror was abandoned by his heart through the embrace of new life. Though he was already labeled and shunned upon by the world, the monster of Frankenstein saw past the words to become something more. But there were still more obstacles he must face before everything could be complete.
Secondly, the monster’s actions change as he matures and adjusts to the new settings of the world around him. Left alone to survive by himself, the monster of Frankenstein adjusts to the new environment just as Harry Potter did to fit in correctly as a young wizard. Soon, the monster is able to understand speech and emotions, which then result in his sudden gift to understand humanity. Though he is not entirely human himself, he has the intelligence of one. The monster of Frankenstein explains, “I heard about the slothful Asiatics; of the stupendous genius and mental activity of the Grecians; of the wars and wonderful virtue of the early Romans/ of the decline of that mighty empire; of chivalry, Christianity, and kings” (135).
With the ability of intelligence in his grasp, the monster grows more and more aware of the world which was once so new to him. He then begins to feel things come to life as he realizes his gift of emotions. While observing the small family in blistering cold, he tells us that “the gentle manners and beauty of the cottagers greatly endeared them to me; when they were unhappy, I felt depressed; when they rejoiced, I sympathized in their joys” (141).
The Term Paper on Who Was More of a ‘Monster’, Frankenstein or His Creation?
One approach to this question would be to say that the creature in ‘Frankentein’ was himself the only monster. However, as we soon realise, the creature is benevolent at heart and only becomes monstrous due to the unjust way in which society treats him. The bleak, miserable world which Shelley portrays, full of hypocrisy, oppression and prejudice gains exposure through the depiction of ...
Finally, after living so obscure to everyone else, the monster feels that he can fit in, not as a mockery any more, but as an individual among many. Harry Potter did have the same trouble. He was unable to fit in, not even knowing simple answers to the mixtures potions at his first day of school. Yet, both Harry and the monster of Frankenstein managed to endure and become something greater than a joke. Soon, they both realize what the future has known for so long.
Lastly, the monster of Frankenstein completes his contemplating, resulting in the end of his journey and the path of enlightenment. After spending so much time by himself and alone, the monster realizes his true calling and road to enlightenment. Harry Potter realizes this as well and as a result, he saves his world once again from the evil wizard Voldemort. The monster of Frankenstein gives his last words to Walton saying, “I am content to suffer alone while my sufferings shall endure: when I die, I am well satisfied that abhorrence and opprobrium should load my memory” (162).
The monster now knows that his path will soon lead off to an abrupt end of his short life. The future at this point is now clear to the monster so he gives his last farewell by stating, “I shall no longer see the sun or stars, or feel the winds play on my cheeks. Light, feeling, and sense will pass away; and in this condition must I find my happiness/ where can I find rest but in death? (163).
Just as Harry found his path, the monster found out that he was just not meant to be. The monster gave up his own very life just to satisfy the lives of everyone else. Though the monster of Frankenstein’s life was short and ended abruptly, it was fulfilled. Harry Potter and the monster followed a path towards greatness.
Both Harry Potter and the monster of Frankenstein awoke into a world unaware of the challenges and obstacles that awaited him. They both were faced with the torment of ridicule and mockery, but they were able to get passed it. And through their hard work and determination, the monster and Harry were able to adjust very well into a world they once new so little about. They both lived a life of greatness and fulfillment. The monster of Frankenstein at first believed he was an abomination to the entire world. But one can now see that by the end of the novel, the monster is a completely different person filled with new hopes and dreams. Compared to the entire world, the monster was the only one that chose a path of trials and truth. He gave up his life unwillingly to fulfill the needs of the world which shows to me how human he actually was. To me, the monster became a better person than anyone else did in his world.
The Essay on Frankenstein Life World Monster
Shelley's Frankenstein does an excellent job at demonstrating the ideas and accomplishments of the enlightenment period. Shelly expresses these ideas and thoughts through the character of Victor Frankenstein who is an aspiring scientist seeking an intellectual challenge. Victor Frankenstein live s his hometown of Geneva and leaves in quest of a valued education in Ingolstadt. When Victor arrives ...
