'Frankenstein' by Mary Shelley

Post 200 words at minimum of your favorite exerpts of your IRB1 on your weblog. Then describe the topic that your author points toward in the narrative and his or her specific perspective on that topic.

 In the classic novel, Frankenstein by Mary Shelley, the craving for love and acceptance is shown through the monster.

Resided in a cramped hovel, the monster began to learn and discover human nature through watching the inhabitants of a nearby cottage: “My thoughts now became more active, and I longed to discover the motives and feelings of these lovely creatures; I was inquisitive to know why Felix appeared so miserable and Agatha so sad. I thought (foolish wretch!) that it might be in my power to restore happiness to these deserving people. When I slept or was absent, the forms of the venerable blind father, the gentle Agatha, and the excellent Felix flitted before me. I looked upon them as superior beings who would be the arbiters of my future destiny. I formed in my imagination a thousand pictures of presenting myself to them, and their reception of me. I imagined that they would be disgusted, until, by my gentle demeanour and conciliating words, I should first win their favour and afterwards their love. These thoughts exhilarated me and led me to apply with fresh ardour to the acquiring the art of language.” – Through this excerpt, it is quite clear that all the monster longs for is to be accepted into the society that surrounds him. By this stage, the monster is aware that he is an anomaly and an isolated creature among beings that he considered “lovely” but even so, he still holds on to the slim hope of becoming part of them. Although the monster continually committed wicked acts, his desire for love and affection gives him a relatable human quality that readers cannot help but sympathise and feel for, as it is something that we as humans also look for.

Shelley effectively uses “(foolish wretch!)” to differentiate the monsters thoughts at the time, and his thoughts as he is retelling his story. The change of opinion indicates how the monster’s character grew as the story progressed, and how the reality of the insensitivity of humans had hardened his temperament.

Although the need for love and affection is common among all beings, Shelley illustrates how acceptance is not always achievable through the account of the monster.