The Idea of Monstrosity as Explored Through Frankenstein

     The Idea of monstrosity, and, in opposition, humanity is thoroughly explored by Mary Shelley in Frankenstein. The novel makes the reader question what it means to be a monster and which character is such. Shelley's work allows characters to fluctuate between monstrous and human while the original 1931 film adaptation clearly outlines Henry as the protagonist and his creation as the antagonist.
     It seems the pop culture view of Frankenstein is derived mostly from the original film version. The popular image of Frankenstein is a huge, muttering monster evoking horror in all who see him. The 1931 film sets up a clear contrast between the monster and Henry. The film makes it clear that the creation is the antagonist by sharing that his brain is that of a criminal. The viewer is supposed to feel sympathetic for Henry, as his creation's evil ways are not a fault of his, but of his assistant. The creation is immediately violent towards Frankenstein and terrorized both him and the town throughout the film. There is only one scene in which the audience questions the creation's humanity: the scene showing him play with a young girl. While the film only gives a fleeting glimpse of what the monster could have been, the novel greatly details his experiences and leaves it to the reader to decide who the real monster is.
     The novel by Mary Shelley gives a very different account of the creation and his life. In the text, you see that the creature is extremely compassionate, but still alone in the world. His rage is triggered by his creator. Frankenstein immediately abandons his creator and shuns him upon their next visit as well. Frankenstein calls his creature a devil and a demon. The novel paints good and bad in both characters, leaving the reader to decide who they sympathize with. The text also forces the reader to think about whether actions in themselves, intent or cause of action makes one "evil." Frankenstein's creation murdered multiple people, but only as a result of the cruelty he experiences from others. Is he the monster, or are the people who made him this way? Also, is his creator bad for abandoning him or did he simply not analyze the consequences of his actions? The novel forces you to wonder what it means to be human, and whether or not the creation falls into this category. Shelley does a wonderful job of walking the line between good and evil and leaving these definitions ambiguous in terms of her characters.