Throughout history, authors have continued to use their novels as a tool to explain their concerns about humanity. Books often reveal the shortcomings of society that people often neglect to acknowledge. Authors frequently expose the judgmental nature that humanity has acquired and how it is repeatedly used to demoralize members of society. Frankenstein exemplifies how society’s high-expectations can lead to the corruption of the innate virtue of Victor and the creation; however, it also describes standards that are still present in modern-day that have tainted celebrities, such as Mary- Kate Olsen. Frankenstein displays Shelley’s perspective on the corruptive nature of society and the effect it has on people, such as Victor Frankenstein. As the reader starts to learn about Victor, his dedication to education becomes very evident, as well as his struggle to find his purpose in life. Victor has a wonderful childhood; however that is never enough for him. When his innocent curiosity in learning begins to increase, he decides to speak with professors that have a similar interest in the department of natural philosophy. After speaking with Professor M. Waldman, Victor says, “Such were the professor’s words—rather let me say such the words of the fate—enounced to destroy me” (Shelley 33). Shelley continuously uses foreshadowing to emphasize the importance of certain events in the novel and their effect on the future that Victor faces. Shelley’s use of foreshadowing in Victor’s words displays the influential effect that the professor has on Frankenstein. The professor’s encouragement intensifies Victor’s interest in the study of science and leads him to gather the plans to invent a new species. The product of Shelley’s foreshadowing is portrayed when Victor says, “I knew well therefore what would be my father’s feelings, but I could not tear my thoughts from my employment, loathsome in itself, but which had taken an irresistible hold of my imagination” (Shelley 41). Victor’s words clearly show that his mere interest in science has taken over and has become an obsession. His passion that was first introduced to him by his professor causes him to neglect his family and isolate himself from the world. The reader connects the professor’s encouraging words to Victor’s negligence because without the feeling that someone had set standards for what he could achieve, Victor would have never aimed so high as to create a new species. This emphasizes the idea that the intrusion of society and the standards that the members of society create are directly related to the corruption of the innate innocence of certain people.
In many instances throughout Frankenstein, Shelley portrays the consequences of society’s highly critical nature and how it can lead to the demise of a virtuous person. Towards the middle of the book, the reader finally hears the creation’s story through his own perspective. The “monster” begins his tale by telling the reader about his first experience with humanity. The oblivious creation enters a village and faces society saying, “I hardly placed my foot within the door before the children shrieked, and one of the women fainted. The whole village was roused; some fled, some attacked me-” (Shelley 94). Although the creation was merely curious to learn more about the village, society’s reaction to him displays the judgmental nature that people have acquired and have continued to use throughout history. The shrieks, fainting and angered actions of the people portray their complete refusal to anyone that does not meet social norms. Although the creation only seeks to be accepted by the human community, he is continually rejected by their judgmental nature. After many attempts at interacting with humanity and getting rejected by Felix, the reader witnesses a sudden change of emotion in the monster. His loneliness and despair suddenly turns into anger and resentment as the creation says, “CURSED, CURSED creator! Why did I
