Frankenstein Passage

                “They were not entirely happy. The young man and his companion often went apart, and appeared to weep. I saw no cause for their unhappiness; but I was deeply affected by it. If such lovely creatures were miserable, it was less strange that I, an imperfect and solitary being, should be so wretched. Yet why were those gentle beings unhappy? They possessed a delightful house (for such it was in my eyes), and every luxury; they had a fire to warm them when chill, and delicious viands when hungry;  they were dressed in excellent clothes; and, still more, they enjoyed one another’s company and speech, interchanging each day looks of affection and kindness. What did their tears imply? Did they really express pain?” (Shelly 74)

                The above passage, I believe, is very important to the story. It not only shows Victor that his creation is intelligent, but it also shows that it is also observant. The passage indirectly provides vital information about the creature’s personality, thoughts, feelings, and life. The information that is presented in the passage about the creature is information that no one would know unless they were told directly. Having the information presented in an indirect manner lets individuals make their own interpretation of who the creature is.

                I feel that this passage begins to open Victor’s eyes and that he begins to see the creature for who or what it is other than it just being a dæmon. He begins to tell that it has feelings, that it isn’t just a cold hearted murderer. Victor knows that the creature is still dangerous and that he needs to be cautious, be he begins to see that the creature has aspects that make him human like.  Through phrases like, “I saw no cause for their unhappiness; but I was deeply affected by it.”(Shelly 74), show that the creature knows how it feels to be unhappy and that he empathizes with the family. Phrases like that are partly why Victor agrees to help the creature.

                Without this passage, and other similar passages, the creature’s side of the story would never be told and the readers wouldn’t be able to see or understand the complexity of its character. This passage begins to show the reader that the creature, like most people, is multifaceted. The reader knows that he is miserable and dangerous, but this passage shows that he cares. It shows that he has a heart. This passage shows the reader that the creature wants friends, and companions, and that he wants to belong somewhere. He watches that family and he wants what they have. He knows that they are sad, but he doesn’t understand why. He sees them and he thinks that they have everything. He sees a family that has no reason to be sad. This passage begins to show that his wish, his dream is to have something like what they have. He is lonely and he no longer wants to be. 

This passage shows that, yes he is a monster, that he is unlike humans, but it also depicts that he has hopes. It shows that he has compassion and understanding of the world around him, a world that he wants to be a part of.  

Image source: http://www.cultmovieforums.com/forum/showthread.php?15995-Frankenstein-(James-Whale-1931)
http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/222094/mary_shelleys_frankenstein_the_downward.html?cat=38