Human Nature and Revenge in Frankenstein

The lack of acceptance and validation from society can be notably harmful to one's mental state which in turn can lead to harmful circumstances. Humanity has consistently shown that there is a lack of empathy and sensitivity within nature. Humans are existentially faulty and capable of destruction that could be harmful to not only others but one's self.  Mary Shelley in her gothic novel Frankenstein illustrates through the motifs of human nature and revenge that society is inevitably flawed in ways that individuals inherit specific traits such as evil and vengeful desires as a result of the lack of acceptance from the rest of humanity. 

Mary Shelley conveys the theme that humanity is flawed through the motif of human nature itself through characters like Victor Frankenstein and the DeLacey family. Victor had failed to accept the creature for his malformed physical appearance which led the creature to learn and adjust to society on his own. While the creature was in pursuit of his own desire of knowledge and acceptance, he had grown fond of a family in which he thought he could befriend. However, after the family attacks the creature in their own defense, he quickly forms his own opinion on society and concludes that all humans are alike in a way that they are selfish, judgmental and display hideous personas. Due to the way the creature is mistreated, the audience is made aware of how people who are considered to be peculiar, are treated differently in a society that judges a person's demeanor highly based on physical appearance. Mary Shelley's use of the motif of human nature is particularly important and exemplified throughout the novel in order to illuminate the true and harsh reality of society. 

In addition to Mary Shelley's motif of human nature, she also uses the motif of revenge in order to further portray the flaws within humanity. Due to the creature being shunned from society, he becomes fueled by rage which leads him on the pursuit of revenge for all that he has had to undergo. On the account of the creature's actions, Victor is overwhelmed by his own vengeful desires which sends both characters spiraling to their untimely demise. Mary Shelley illustrates the theme that revenge is acquired through human nature and ultimately leads to one's own downfall. The motif of revenge is imperative because Shelley illustrates that when one is fueled by evil and vengeful desires, there is no positive outcome.

In conclusion, Mary Shelley uses various motifs such as human nature and revenge to portray the reality of society and human behavior. Shelley uses the creature to help illustrate that one can be vulnerable and sympathetic, but severely misjudged due to their appearance. The creature displays a grotesque physique in which society fails to accept, ultimately leading to vengeful desires and self destruction. Shelley also uses Victor to portray the theme that human nature is flawed and revenge is acquired which eventually leads to one's own downfall. Both characters are significantly different but share similar qualities such as the desire for reprisal, thus illustrating that human nature is eminently flawed.