Frankenstein Judging Appearances

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Judging Appearances Within Society Judging appearances has caused many misunderstandings in society. This particular human flaw is a great contributing factor to the shaping of society. People are appreciated for their looks instead of their individuality. Frankenstein by Mary Shelley reveals the prejudice of appearance and its consequences. The book shows readers how first impressions have come to shape one’s view of another, how appearance has overpowered intelligence, and how judging appearances has given way to hatred. One way in which judging appearances has negatively impacted humans is that first impressions form one’s opinion of another. For example, when Victor Frankenstein first views his own creature he is immediately disgusted …show more content…
For instance, when the Creature is finally able to fathom his story and explain his perspective to Mr. DeLacey, a blind old man, it is abused: “’Felix darted forward, and with supernatural force tore me from his, to whose knees I clung: in a transport of fury, he dashed me to the ground and struck me violently with a stick’” (97). If the Creature had looked like a normal human being, Felix would not have reacted so harshly and would have gave it time to explain its presence. The Creature’s eagerness to learn and attain understanding is cast aside, which leaves only his appearance for society to judge. Another example of appearance overpowering intelligence is proved to readers when Victor encounters the Creature in the ice caps and exclaims, “’ Shall I create another like yourself, whose joint wickedness might desolate the world’” (121). Instead of reasoning with the Creature, Victor immediately points out the Creature’s faults without thinking of its feelings. Victor only sees the Creature’s depravity and its harmful actions and is not concerned with its reasons for acting in this way. Because Victor is ignorant towards the Creature’s intelligence and feelings, he can only scrape the surface of the complexity of the …show more content…
For example, when Victor refuses the Creature’s request for a lady just as hideous as he is, the Creature curses, "'Shall each man', cried he, 'find a wife for his bosom, and each beast have his mate, and I be alone? I had feelings of affection, and they were requited by detestation and scorn. Man! You may hate, but beware’” (101). The Creature implies that humans have ostracized him from any means of happiness because of his appearance while they pursue their own. This segregation causes the Creature to loathe Victor and his companions. Another instance in which judging appearances has negatively impacted society is shown when the Creature lures Victor into a chase and taunts, “’Prepare! Your toils only begin. Wrap yourself in furs and provide food, for we shall soon enter upon a journey where your sufferings will satisfy my everlasting hatred.’” The Creature’s statement shows his joy in finally having control over someone else’s sufferings. This indicates the switch of roles between Victor and the Creature, which only creates everlasting hatred and misunderstanding due to the foreshadowing of Victor’s treatment towards the Creature in the beginning of the story. In conclusion, judging appearances will only end in conflict, just as it did for Victor and the
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