Melanie Siokalo
Tues 6- 8:30
The Price of Being Evil
To intentionally inflict pain on a human being or any other living thing is my definition of evil in the simplest sense. If examples were to be given, Victor Frankenstein would be at the top of the list. Not only did the main character of Mary Shelley’s classic thriller, Frankenstein, cross the line between moral and immoral but also intentionally caused pain to the monster he had created. He abandoned the very thing he gave life to and then further inflicted pain on the creature by refusing to create the only thing the monster had asked for, a companion. Frankenstein is portrayed as a hero through Robert Walton’s words, but not even this glory can hide the monstrous and evil acts of Victor Frankenstein.
Frankenstein was so obsessed with being viewed as a “science god”, that he never actually thought about the consequences that might follow from creating a being unnaturally. Because he didn’t actually finish this thought process, the monster ultimately hurts everyone around Frankenstein, torturing Frankenstein in the way Frankenstein tortured the monster. Frankenstein does not have the capability to understand the depth of his creation. He was so selfish to think that this monster in the very first moments of being alive would create evil all around it. He right away runs and hides like a criminal on the run. Only an evil human being itself would not give a chance to understand the monster he gave life to. Frankenstein leaves the monster in the most precious moments of any living thing’s life. Frankenstein leaves the monster lying on the table with no sense of the world around it. “His jaws opened, he muttered some inarticulate sounds, while a grin wrinkled on his cheeks. He might have spoken, but I did not hear; one hand was stretched out, seemingly to detain me, but I escaped and rushed downstairs” (59). Frankenstein was so caught up in his fear that he was unable to understand that the monster was just reaching out for help. The grin on his face was a sign of happiness and new life. But like any other coward, Frankenstein ran away from his creation. What Frankenstein was unable to comprehend was the fact the monster was more human and moral than his creator himself.
Not only did Frankenstein not provide the attention and love that any newborn needs, he created more misery for the monster by not creating a companion for it. It can be said that Frankenstein is quite hypocritical. While in school, all Frankenstein wanted was a companion like the one he found in Henry Clerval .So who is he to deprive the monster of the only thing Frankenstein ever wanted? Not only does he therefore inflict further pain on the monster, but also ultimately on himself. Frankenstein is responsible of the deaths of all his closest friends and family because he knowingly ignored the monsters only wish. He furthermore is selfish that he attempts to publically blame the monster for all the murders that are occurring. Here in the story is where Frankenstein had the chance to redeem himself and come clean with his creation. But he so cowardly blames the monster for all the pain that he has gone through.
What kind of human would intentionally cause harm on something it had created? The answer to the question is, well, an evil one. To me evil is not only intentionally causing pain on something, but furthermore being selfish and not understanding the depth of your creations. So essentially, Frankenstein is evil in every sense of the word.
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4 comments:
Melanie,
I think you do a good job at being controversial in your paper. I started reading it and was thinking of an argument that I could begin to form with it, so good job there. I like how you started right out by saying what your definition of evil is, it really sets the grounds for what you’re going to talk about.
I like in your second paragraph that you describe the quote that you use from the book. One thing in your second paragraph that came to my attention was how you used “Frankenstein” over and over. I think it’s a good thing to say who you are talking about but I think that there needs to be some variety in what words you use. I’m not trying to criticize it, I’m just saying that it’s not something you would probably notice, I know I’ve done that myself many times.
I like the last sentence of your second paragraph, but I think you should elaborate on why you think that the monster is more moral than the creator himself. I think that is an interesting standpoint, and it doesn’t lead you into the next paragraph much.
I totally agree with your third paragraph, I think it provides a strong argument, and is backed up with a lot of well thought out evidence.
I think the way you end your paper is pretty good, though I think in some ways the concluding paragraph needs some more body. It just seems too short. I like that you reiterate your point of what your definition of evil is.
Overall I think your paper is very good. I think there is just minor details that need to be fixed. Good Work!
Stephanie
The Price of Being Evil
To intentionally inflict pain on a human being or any other living thing is my definition of evil in the simplest sense. If examples were to be given, Victor Frankenstein would be at the top of the list. Not only did the main character of Mary Shelley’s classic thriller, Frankenstein, cross the line between moral and immoral but also intentionally caused pain to the monster he had created. He abandoned the very thing he gave life to and then further inflicted pain on the creature by refusing to create the only thing the monster had asked for, a companion. Frankenstein is portrayed as a hero through Robert Walton’s words, but not even this glory can hide the monstrous and evil acts of Victor Frankenstein.
Frankenstein was so obsessed with being viewed as a “science god”, that he never actually thought about the consequences that might follow from creating a being unnaturally. Because he didn’t actually finish this thought process, the monster ultimately hurts everyone around Frankenstein, torturing Frankenstein in the way Frankenstein tortured the monster. Victor does not have the capability to understand the depth of his creation. He was so selfish to think that this monster in the very first moments of being alive would create evil all around it. He right away runs and hides like a criminal on the run. Only an evil human being itself would not give a chance to understand the monster he gave life to. Frankenstein leaves the monster in the most precious moments of any living thing’s life. Frankenstein leaves the monster lying on the table with no sense of the world around it. “His jaws opened, he muttered some inarticulate sounds, while a grin wrinkled on his cheeks. He might have spoken, but I did not hear; one hand was stretched out, seemingly to detain me, but I escaped and rushed downstairs” (59). Frankenstein was so caught up in his fear that he was unable to understand that the monster was just reaching out for help. The grin on his face was a sign of happiness and new life. But like any other coward, Frankenstein ran away from his creation. What Frankenstein was unable to comprehend was the fact the monster was more human and moral than his creator himself. Yes, the monster does perform some immoral acts but he truly does feel sorry afterward. Whereas his creator feels no shame and guilt in what he has done. He refuses to take responsibility and see that the acting out of the monster can be compared to any child that has been left abandoned. The monster performs these acts to simply catch Victor's attention and finally receive the love he deserves. If Frankenstein had seen this in the beginning none of his family members or companions would have been hurt and/or killed.
Not only did Frankenstein not provide the attention and love that any newborn needs, he created more misery for the monster by not creating a companion for it. It can be said that Frankenstein is quite hypocritical. While in school, all Frankenstein wanted was a companion like the one he found in Henry Clerval .So who is he to deprive the monster of the only thing Frankenstein ever wanted? Not only does he therefore inflict further pain on the monster, but also ultimately on himself. Frankenstein is responsible of the deaths of all his closest friends and family; he knowingly ignored the monsters only wish. He furthermore is selfish that he attempts to publically blame the monster for all the murders that are occurring. Here in the story is where Frankenstein had the chance to redeem himself and come clean with his creation. But he so cowardly blames the monster for all the pain that he has gone through.
What kind of human would intentionally cause harm on something it had created? The answer to the question is, well, an evil one. To me evil is not only intentionally causing pain on something, but furthermore being selfish and not understanding the depth of your creations. So essentially, Frankenstein is evil in every sense of the word. He knowingly does every evil act with almost a sense of pride and shamelessness. When a new Webster’s Dictionary is published, I wouldn't be surprised to find a picture of Frankenstein next to the definition of evil.
Stephanie - solid response, especially your second paragraph, which was a smart response.
Melanie - There are some good moments here. For my part, I especially liked your discussion of Victor and Clerval. And I, like Stephanie, thought your definition of evil was good - straightforward and simple in a good way. What bothered me was that your actual use of that definition was indifferent. You define evil as being rooted in intention; what you should have done, then, was set out proving not that Victor's actions cause harm (which they obviously did) but that he intended harm, which is far more interesting and less obvious. You have the setup for a great paper, but your actual line of argument is vaguer, and not very well rooted in details of the text (although it has its moments even there).
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