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Caitlin

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Caitlin’s Bookshelves

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Caitlin is Currently Reading

Caitlin is currently reading

Frankenstein

by Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley

bookshelves: currently-reading

read in April 2013

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Caitlin said: " I liked this book because of how it sort of addressed how people work through all these various experiences the monster has.Functioning as a nearly completely grown adult within a few months of his creation, the innocence of the monster, and how quic I liked this book because of how it sort of addressed how people work through all these various experiences the monster has.Functioning as a nearly completely grown adult within a few months of his creation, the innocence of the monster, and how quickly this innocence is corrupted demonstrates the evil isolation can wreak on a lonely mind. Without any other interaction, the monster believes that his truth is a global truth which leaves him with a negative view on humanity since it shuns him. Because his interactions are limited, the monster makes generalizations about humankind based on the few encounters he has with them. So basically Shelley is telling the reader that people suck.
The monster’s lack of parentage not only leaves a void in encouragement and support, but it also further degrades the monster’s view of himself. With no one to tell him otherwise, the monster accepts this negative perception of himself as truth. Thus he lacks emotional stability; unable to overcome his self-doubt and gain confidence, he only knows loathing and hate.Through the swift development of the monster’s hostility, Shelley demonstrates how essential a nurturing childhood is in order to mature.
Without support or friend, the monster must result to the animal instinct that lies in all of human kind, to harm those who pose a threat to happiness. Since each person reminds the monster of all he cannot have, the monster spares neither man, woman, nor child from his vengeful outbursts of violence. Shelley reveals the barbarism a blinding emotion such as hate can have, not only on those who are governed by it, but also those who caused such a powerful emotion.
Through blaming his murders on Victor, the monster hopes that his creator will realize a companion is the only cure for his creation’s violent outbursts. However both the man and his monster are so engulfed in their own self-pity that they are unable to be sympathetic towards others. It is only through abandoning mankind that the monster believes he will be able to have a happier life. Such an observation is a sign of resignation, as the monster has lost all faith in humanity’s ability to overcome his physical appearance. By joining humanity, the monster is choosing a life of vengeance and destruction, therefore showing the corruptness of human nature. However the monster is only willing to cast aside this identity if he has someone to share his exile with. This need for a companion stems not from greed or lust, but rather a desperation to feel loved. The monster craves to be valued and mean something the same way all humans do, and threatens to harm Victor should he not comply because that is what man does when they are afraid of not getting their way; they threaten and intimidate. Shelley demonstrates how easily humans will cave in to their moral standards in order to achieve personal satisfaction.
Though the monster is not technically human, Shelley uses him as a vehicle to reveal the faults of society and the human condition. Since the monster intellectually develops quickly, with the ability to express himself within weeks of his creation, yet remains emotionally stinted, he is able to vocalize the effects of an isolated childhood. His loneliness at first manifests itself in waves of grief that the monster experiences when he realizes that his life can never be like that of Felix and his family. However the monster’s behavior soon reflects his interactions with those around him. Since the initial response of those he meets is violence, the monster then results to treating others with the same cruelty shown to him. Though he retains hope for human kind, saving the child from the river and giving Victor a chance to redeem himself, the monster is forced to turn violent. From this, Shelley is demonstrating how actions carry more weight than words; human nature is innately monstrous as people make judgments based on physical actions and appearances, without considering the intellectual and emotional impacts. ...more "

Sep 09, 2013 09:52AM · see review

Caitlin is currently reading

The Good Terrorist

by Doris Lessing

bookshelves: currently-reading

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Dec 11, 2025 04:51PM

Caitlin is currently reading

The Feast of the Goat

by Mario Vargas Llosa

bookshelves: currently-reading

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Sep 03, 2025 08:23PM

See all 10 books that Caitlin is reading…

Caitlin’s Quotes

“Have you ever heard somebody sing some lyrics that you've never sung before, and you realize you've never sung the right words in that song? You hear them and all of a sudden you say to yourself, 'Life in the Fast Lane?' That's what they're saying right there? You think, 'why have I been singing 'wipe in the vaseline?' how many people have heard me sing 'wipe in the vaseline?' I am an idiot.”
― Ellen DeGeneres, My Point... And I Do Have One

tags: lyrics, music, singing, wrong-lyrics

687 likes

“When a man cannot choose, he ceases to be a man.”
― Anthony Burgess, A Clockwork Orange

tags: choice, life, man

904 likes

“A cynic is a man who, when he smells flowers, looks around for a coffin.”
― H.L. Mencken

tags: cynic, definitions

353 likes

“I'm glad I didn't have to fight in any war. I'm glad I didn't have to pick up a gun. I'm glad I didn't get killed or kill somebody. I hope my kids enjoy the same lack of manhood.”
― Tom Hanks

24 likes