Where Sympathies Lie essays

Where Sympathies Lie essays A wise proverb once said, Appearances are deceptive (The Macmillan Dictionary of Quotations 26). One should keep this in mind when reading Frankenstein by Mary Shelley because the proverb is proven accurate in that looks are in fact, misleading. She creates a creature abhorred by society because of his appearance. Even his own creator, a scientist named Victor Frankenstein, fails to show him compassion. As the novel progresses the monster travels through the ends of the world only to be shunned by all of humanity. Through his quest for love one sees the many heartaches he endures in search of his ultimate goal. Contrary to what one may believe, the monster possesses many humanlike characteristics. In creating the monster, Shelley reveals mans shallow obsession with physical appearance, invoking the readers to sympathize with the monster as his tragic life story unfolds. The reader, persuaded by the creatures desperate desire for love and affection, feels sympathy for him knowing that everyone deserves to be loved. Upon seeing Frankenstein for the first time the monster expresses, I am thy creature, and I will be even mild and docile to my natural lord and king if thou wilt also perform thy part, the which thou owest me (Shelley 95). After seeking love from many others, but with no success, the creature finally turns to his creator. However, even his own creator does not show him the love that he, like any other being, is entitled to have. Frankensteins rejection allows the reader to realize that it is extremely sad that the monster receives affection from no one, not even his own creator, who of all people should love his creature. The reader knows that if Frankenstein cant surge up feelings to feel compassion towards his own, then no one else will. ...