The Difference Between Frankenstein and a Real Human Essay

I began the creation of a human being  Victor Frankenstein (Shelley Pg. 35). What does it mean to be human? Susceptible to or representative of the sympathies and frailties of human nature (Merriam Webster). In Mary Shelleys novel Frankenstein (1818 text), she examines the difference between a real human being and an artificially created man. Crippled by his physical appearance, all who see him are horrified, and assume the worst of the creature. Excluded from society, the creature tries to humanize himself through language. Reading and writing is what makes the creature able to communicate with others. One could conclude that Shelley is using this to tell us that our ability to communicate through the written word is what makes us human. Great amounts of technology and human body parts were used to put together and animate the creature, however they are unable to make him truly "human".

I easily perceived that, although I eagerly longed to discover myself to the cottagers, I ought not to make the attempt until I had first become master of their language which knowledge might enable me to make them overlook the deformity of my figure (Shelley Pg. 90). The Monster regards language as a godlike science (Shelley Pg. 88). The creature tries to use language as a way to relate to humans to compensate for his appearance. Social contact necessary for the Monster to demonstrate his humanity. He understands that the sounds people make are a way of relaying thoughts and ideas to others. What the creature finds most interesting is that these sounds can cause different emotions in the person listening.

The creature desires to be able to join humans and plans to by creating a positive reaction in them through language. He is trying to overcome his physical deformities, what separates him from the humans, and sees these sounds as a way to humanize himself. By your language, stranger, I suppose you are my countryman  are you French (Shelley Pg. 108)? The very first thing that De Lacey would like to know is if the creature is French, already assuming him to be of the human race to later be classified into nationality. People instinctually distinguish themselves into groups based on similarities.

The creature wants to be a part of humanity, but within that there are even further boundaries that the creature cannot overcome. The creature was not born, he was made. Titles such as French and German cannot apply to him. Here the similarity is based on language, and the creature is attempting to make a connection based on the language he can now speak. The creature wants humans to overlook his physical appearance for his language. He has the desire to converse with people and be a part of their society. And during his conversation with De Lacey he feels human and that he can truly be accepted. In conclusion, although initially rejected, by using language as his art of persuasion, Frankenstein becomes closer to becoming human.