Let's Be a Little Romantic

by DMS



I was shocked and felt inhuman when I saw the video about a homeless man, Hugo Tale-Yax, who was left to die alone. This tragedy reminds me of Frankenstein, by Mary Shelley. The society alienates the monster because of his appearance. Yes, the monster may have a disproportionate figure, but he is "benevolent and good" (Shelley 73). Likewise, Tale-Yax was homeless, but he was also a human being like the rest of us.

Through the Romantic era, Mary Shelley sent her message and her thoughts in her writing. For the rest of us, let's be a little romantic. By this, I mean: care about other people without any judgment of who or what they are.

"All men are created equal." - Thomas Jefferson

Frank in Stain

Part One

by DMS

According to Isaiah Berlin, Romantic movement writers often associated with or "connected with the sense of uniqueness, the profound emotional introspection, the sense of the differences of things, dissimilarities rather than similarities" in ideas in their writings (Berlin, Isaiah. The Root of Romanticism. Princeton, New Jersey: Princeton University Press, 1999.) This means that Romantic writers speak their opinions; they say that in society people tend to accept and idealize commonalities, as we can see in Frankenstein, by Mary Shelley. She describes or perhaps shows her argument when she creates the monster character in her novel. Mary Shelley describes the monster as a disproportionate figure, about eight feet tall, with scary looks. Because of his dissimilar appearance, people outcast him from the society.

Let's take a look for a moment. As we know, the monster has a human figure: he has two eyes, two hands, two legs, hair, and a nose. He has no tail and speaks a language that people speak, and his words can easily be understood by common people. Now, comes the question: Why do people in society not accept the monster because of the way he looks? It is apparent that, as a Romantic writer, Shelley speaks her mind through Frankenstein. Through the monster's voice, Shelley says, "Let him [people in society] live with me [who has uncommon or rather deformed looks] in the interchange of kindness" (Shelley 111). Shelley suggests that people should live with acts of kindness without harsh judgment of their appearances.

Paradise Lostenstein, the sequel

Further confirmation on how much Milton's Paradise Lost influenced Mary Shelley's writing, and how the creature identifies with a "God and Satan" type relationship with his creator as opposed to a "God and Adam" type relationship: " Many times I consider Satan as the filter emblem of my condition: for often, like him, when I viewed the bliss of my pretectors, the bitter gall of envy rose within me." (p.132) - Shelley, Mary. "Frankenstein". London : Penguin Classics, 1992

By Jeongah Kim

Opposites don't attract

The creature's life and development as a loner left to his own devices, are in stark contrast to that of the childhood and upbringing of Victor Frankenstein. The creature's description of what he considers the "ideal" family life picture of the De Lacey family is ironically reminiscent of Victor Frankenstein's family background.

"...how the father doated on the smiles of the infant, and the lively sallies of the older child; how all the life and cares of the mother were wrapped up the precious charge; how the mind of youth expanded and gained knowledge; of brother, sister, and all the various relationships which bind one human being to another in mutual bonds." (p.124)- Shalley, Mary. "Frankenstein". London: Penguin Classics, 1992

By Jeongah Kim

Victor Guiltenstein

Victor Frankenstein feel a good deal of guilt after his conversation with the creature in Chapter 2.

"For the first time, also, I felt what the duties of a creator towards his creature were, and that I ought to render him happy before I complained of his wickedness."

It is good to see some sense of moral conscience here. It is obvious he realizes the mistakes he has made. Ironic, the the "child" is becoming the "teacher" for a lesson to his own creator.

By Jeongah Kim

Paradise Lostenstein: God and Adam, God and Satan

Mary Shelley seems to be very influenced by Milton's epic work, Paradise Lost. She mirrors the relationship between God and Satan, that of the creator spurning or casting out his child.This is in stark contrast to the relationship of God and Adam which represent a creator who lovingly creates man on his own image, and who does not completely abandon his even after his original sin in the garden of Eden.

"Remember, that I am thy creature; I ought to be thy Adam , but I am rather the fallen angel, whom thou drives from joy for no misdeed." (p.103) - Shelley, Mary."Frankenstein". London: Penguin Classics ,1992

By Jeongah Kim

Point-Conterpoint

R.Walton's journey of discovery to find the North Pole passage is ironically opposite in intent of that of V.Frankenstein's own journey to the same place.


In Walton's case, optimistically adventourous and hopeful journey to open new horizons and to find an illuminating new discovery for the world... a sort of beginning and opening of a new frontier.


In Frankenstein's case, it is journey for closure, not opening. He wishes to destroy and end the path of destruction of his creature upon mankind and his world. One journey is bright and hopeful, the other one is dark and tormented.

By Jeongah Kim