Importance Of Appearance In Mary Shelley's Frankenstein '

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Danielle Klinenberg English II H, Period 2 September 8, 2014 Underneath It All “The way you see people is the way you treat them, and the way you treat them is what they become” (Johann Wolfgang von Goethe). In Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein, the characters struggle with appearance versus personality. In this novel, the characters’ appearances affect how they are treated and eventually alter their lives. Initially, Elizabeth is given the chance for a better life solely because of her beauty. In addition, everyone believes Victor is a crazy scientist, since that is the way he looks, but after his creation backfires, he transforms into a madman while living in a constant fear of his miscreation. Finally, the poor treatment the creature receives…show more content…
Mrs. Frankenstein’s initial reaction to Elizabeth results in her desire to care for Elizabeth as a daughter and support her new wealthy life. Elizabeth “attract[s] [Victor’s] mother far above the rest” of the people Mrs. Frankenstein meets while helping the poor (29-30). Mrs. Frankenstein brings Elizabeth home with her instead of subjecting her to a life of poverty. Furthermore, Elizabeth’s beauty triggers Victor’s love for her. From the first time he saw her, Victor already realizes “till death she was to be [his] only”(31). Victor’s love for Elizabeth gives her monetary security for the remainder of her life. In the same way, Elizabeth’s beauty awards her an opportunity for an easy life with Victor, even before their wedding. Elizabeth and Victor’s impending marriage “has been the favourite plan of [his] parents ever since [Elizabeth and Victor’s] infancy” (166). Victor’s father expects him to eventually marry Elizabeth since he and his wife first adopted her as a companion for…show more content…
Primarily, the creature only wants to befriend the family he is helping. He secretly gives the De Laceys gifts, but “a fatal prejudice clouds their eyes” and they only see him as “a detestable monster”(119). This is the first time this being grasps the fact that his appearances cause people to label him as a monster. Additionally, the creature is punished for being a hero. After watching a young girl fall into a river and “sav[ing] a human being from destruction,” he is thanked by being shot in the arm (125). The creation now understands that no matter how good of a person he is, he will always be judged by his appearance. Later on, the creature vows to destroy all of the happiness in Victor’s life. After Victor refuses to create a female companion for the monster, he “work[s] at [Victor’s] destruction” and tries to “desolate [his] heart” so Victor can feel the way the lonely beast does (129). The monstrosity loses all of the goodness inside of him to the judgmental world after admitting that his hideous exterior will always cover his kind
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