Skip to main content

Considering Mary Shelley's Frankenstein, how might one argue that the monster is superior to humans?

The monster is superior to humans, in part, because he learns faster.  Just from observing Safie's lessons, he is able to learn to read and write and speak, and he learns more quickly and more thoroughly than she does.  Remember, he is less than two years old at that point!  Thus, he is intellectually far superior to us.


Further, the creature is physically superior to humans as well.  He is shot when he saves a...

The monster is superior to humans, in part, because he learns faster.  Just from observing Safie's lessons, he is able to learn to read and write and speak, and he learns more quickly and more thoroughly than she does.  Remember, he is less than two years old at that point!  Thus, he is intellectually far superior to us.


Further, the creature is physically superior to humans as well.  He is shot when he saves a little girl from drowning, and though it pains him, he survives and is not materially affected by his wound.  Moreover, when Victor first sees him, he is "hanging among the rocks of the nearly perpendicular ascent" of a mountain, a feat nearly impossible for a human.  In addition to the superhuman strength displayed here, he also shows superhuman speed and the ability to withstand temperature extremes that Victor cannot.


I think one could also make the argument that the creature is emotionally superior to humans as well.  Aside from being born quite gentle and beneficent, the creature is ultimately willing to take responsibility for his violence, something Victor is never willing or able to do.  Victor says that he does not "'find [his past conduct] blameable,'" even though he ruined so many lives, including his own.  However, the creature says to Walton, "'My heart was fashioned to be susceptible of love and sympathy; and, when wrenched by misery to vice and hatred, it did not endure the violence of the change without torture, such as you cannot even imagine.'"  He not only takes responsibility for the evil he's done, he also explains the terrible emotional toll it's taken on him.  

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

What is the meaning of "juggling fiends" in Macbeth?

Macbeth is beginning to realize that the three witches have been deceiving him since he first encountered them. Like jugglers, they have kept changing their forecasts in order create confusion. This is particularly apparent when the Second Apparition they raise in Act IV,   Scene 1 tells him that no man of woman born can overcome him in hand-to-hand battle--and then Macbeth finds himself confronted by the one man he has been avoiding out of a... Macbeth is beginning to realize that the three witches have been deceiving him since he first encountered them. Like jugglers, they have kept changing their forecasts in order create confusion. This is particularly apparent when the Second Apparition they raise in Act IV,   Scene 1 tells him that no man of woman born can overcome him in hand-to-hand battle--and then Macbeth finds himself confronted by the one man he has been avoiding out of a sense of guilt, and that man tells him: Despair thy charm. And let the angel whom thou still hast serve...

In Martel's Life of Pi, how does writing a diary help Pi Patel build on his leadership skills?

At the end of chapter 73, Pi first divulges the fact that he had started a diary after about a week alone at sea. Pi claims that he wrote about "practical stuff" (208) such as what he caught for food, foreseeable problems and solutions, Richard Parker, and reflections about specific events that occurred. In a sense, Pi is the captain of his ship; therefore, he must take responsibility for himself and his crew. He can... At the end of chapter 73, Pi first divulges the fact that he had started a diary after about a week alone at sea. Pi claims that he wrote about "practical stuff" (208) such as what he caught for food, foreseeable problems and solutions, Richard Parker, and reflections about specific events that occurred. In a sense, Pi is the captain of his ship; therefore, he must take responsibility for himself and his crew. He can do this by writing down events, problems and solutions, and reflections to look back on when confronted with repeated problems. It can ...

Why did Tybalt attack and kill Mercutio instead of Romeo, who he had originally been targeting?

Though Tybalt's quarrel is with Romeo, he begins the momentous duel in Act 3 by fighting with and killing Mercutio instead. Tybalt ultimately attacks Mercutio because the garrulous and hot-headed character insults Tybalt and goads him into a duel to protect Romeo's honor. From the beginning of the encounter in Act 3, Scene 1, it's clear that Mercutio is itching for a fight. For instance, when Tybalt signals that he wants to talk to Mercutio... Though Tybalt's quarrel is with Romeo, he begins the momentous duel in Act 3 by fighting with and killing Mercutio instead. Tybalt ultimately attacks Mercutio because the garrulous and hot-headed character insults Tybalt and goads him into a duel to protect Romeo's honor. From the beginning of the encounter in Act 3, Scene 1, it's clear that Mercutio is itching for a fight. For instance, when Tybalt signals that he wants to talk to Mercutio and Benvolio, Mercutio responds "And but one word with one of us?/ Couple it w...