Introduction
The problem of identity and being human is one of the popular topics in world literature. Numerous authors have argued about what qualities and features differentiate human beings from others and make them part of society. At the same time, these discussions are critical for understanding the values appreciated in society at different periods and things people view as critical to interact with community members and be one of them.
The Theme of Being Human in Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein Novel
The novel Frankenstein: The Modern Prometheus by Mary Shelley provides a perfect opportunity to contemplate on the theme of being human. The author introduces the disputable question of whether being human requires being born as human or whether acquiring features traditionally associated with this concept can help to become an individual. Shelley shows that a thing created by Victor Frankenstein acquires all qualities traditionally assigned to people: intelligence, the ability to speak, and the desire to help others; however, it is still rejected by society and is not accepted by the majority because of its otherness and ugliness.
Acting Like a Person
The story narrated by Shelley focuses on the act of creation and the creature that emerged as its result. Victor writes that he “might infuse a spark of being into the lifeless thing that lay at my feet” (Shelley 25). From the start, the monster is no more than a corpse with no signs of qualities vital to human beings. However, later, Victor says, “I began the creation of a human being” (Shelley 24). In such a way, being alive is associated with being a person and possessing a personality. Shelley introduces a particular dilemma, stating that a monster can pass the way from a lifeless thing to a human being due to the act of creation and further development. At the same time, the story shows that it might be a complex task because of the ambiguous status of the creature.
Speaking Ability
Language is another aspect traditionally viewed as a unique element of human nature. Its usage implies complex social interactions and helps to understand each other. Shelley also shows the importance of this unique phenomenon by using the creature and his thoughts. Observing the cottagers, he discovers language and its role: “I found that these people possessed a method of communication their experience and feelings to one another by articulate words” (Shelley 55). From his perspective, the inability to speak separates him from society, and he becomes one of them.
It means that mastering language by a monster can be viewed as an attempt to humanize himself and become a human being (Webster). He believes his ability to speak will make him equal to the people surrounding him: “I ought not to make the attempt until I had first become master of their language” (Shelley 56). It means that communication is one of the major aspects of being human.
Social Acceptance
Nevertheless, the problem remains unresolved as the creature is not accepted as a human being. His hopes that language will help to alter cottagers’ attitudes toward them fail because of his otherness. In this way, Shelley shows that by people’s beliefs, being a human requires looking like a human. This idea means that the monster is deprived of a chance to become a person accepted by society. The incongruity between the people’s representations of how a person should look and the creature’s appearance leads to society labeling him as a monster (Webster). It also promotes the emergence of discriminatory attitudes used when interacting with him.
Frankenstein saves the girl from drowning, which coincides with the assumption that “a human being in perfection ought always to preserve a calm and peaceful mind” (Shelley 25). However, his appearance scares a person who sees it and makes him think the creature is aggressive. The event emphasizes that even good acts cannot change people’s attitudes without relying on traditional values.
In such a way, the story shows that being human implies numerous aspects. Acting like a person, speaking ability, and intelligence are not enough for cottages to accept the creature as part of their community. Although his intentions are sincere, and he wants to become part of humanity, people reject him.
The unusual appearance and his otherness are the impassible barriers preventing the monster from integrating with the community he likes, as they always see him as an “ugly wretch” (Shelley 72). At the same time, Shelley shows that the way he thinks, acts, and intentions are signs of a good person who might be appreciated in any society. However, Frankenstein was created, not born, which scares others (Redei). These facts deprive Frankenstein of the chance to join humanity and find his place.
Conclusion
Altogether, the theme of being a human is one of the central motifs of Shelley’s novel. The author indues the creature with features typical for any human being. He is intelligent and can think and speak; moreover, he wants to help and cooperate with people. However, from the cottagers’ perspective, these are not enough to be human. They focus on the appearance and the unusual act of creation, which leads to biased judgment and the formation of the monster’s image. By adding this conflict, Shelley makes readers cogitate whether inner or external characteristics determine a human being and his/her ability to live in a community.
Works Cited
Redei, Anna. “The Human Being as a Creator of (in) Human Life: The Example of Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein; or, the Modern Prometheus.” Frontiers in Human Dynamics, vol. 4, 2022. Web.
Shelley, Mary Wollstonecraft (Godwin). Frankenstein or The Modern Prometheus. The Project Guttenberg E-book. Web.
Webster, Noelle. “Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein: The Creature’s Attempt at Humanization.” English, vol. 7, 2011. Web.