“ I thank you and accept your generous offer. You raise me from the dust by this kindness; and I trust that, by your aid, I shall not be driven from the society and sympathy of your fellow creatures”(p160).
The statement above made by Frankenstein while in conversation with a blind man reveals that the creature is prejudiced, compassionate and hopeful. The human prejudices are founded of the creature’s appearance which they interpret as horrifying. Judged by his looks, Frankenstein is avoided by humans and treated like a wretch (Ward, 2000). The creature is aware of the human perceptions and is devastated by the repulsion. Luckily though, the encounter with an old blind man gives Frankenstein a nice moment with a human being because the man’s handicap does not allow him to judge by the looks. The compassion in the creature’s character, on the other hand is highlighted in its kind words towards the man, especially when it is considered that it is the humans that have made its life miserable. Aware that it was created by man, the creature is not concerned about the disparity in looks and instead wishes that there could be a peaceful coexistence. Frankenstein is happy to meet one human who harbors positive thoughts about his existence. He feels uplifted and there is a streak of hope that with time man may be persuaded to drop the prejudices. Through the way the creature speaks, it is evident that it is intelligent and that its intentions are good. As a reader, I am not repelled by the creature’s character. On the contrary, I feel for Frankenstein whose only crime is being created ugly. The creature highlights human weaknesses because man is unable to see beyond its looks and discover the underlying compassion. It is full of kind and wise words and there would be mutual benefit if the humans were to agree to coexistence. Through the interaction with the blind man, the creature’s hope serves as a reminder that there will always be a way out of difficult circumstances.
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References
Shelley, M. (1818). Frankenstein. United Kingdom. Mavor & Jones.
Ward, M. (2000). A Painting of the Unspeakable: The Creation of Mary Shelley's "Frankenstein". The Journal of the Midwest Modern Language Association, 33 (1), 20-31. doi:10.2307/1315115
