Characters that Exemplify the Theory Terms
The Monster
“I had not a moment to lose, but seizing the hand of the old man, I cried, ‘Now is the time! Save and protect me! You and your family are the friends whom I seek. Do not you desert me in the hour of trial!’” (Chapter 15).
The monster approaches the blind man and seeks to be part of human society. However, the monster’s wish is shattered when the blind man’s family comes in and shuns the monster away from the blind man. The quote captures the monster’s desperate wish to fit into human society. This example is a clear application of cultural theory because it reflects the emphasis on people’s aesthetics and physique during the Victorian Era. Thus, the quote is indicative of the human consciousness to reject anomaly from their society.
Victor Frankenstein
“It was the secrets of heaven and earth that I desired to learn; and whether it was the outward substance of things or the inner spirit of nature and the mysterious soul of man that occupied me, still my inquiries were directed to the metaphysical, or in its highest sense, the physical secrets of the world” (Chapter 2).
Victor represents a progressive individual with a scientific mindset. The scientific mind was an integral part of 19th century England, as experimentation gained popularity over more traditional cultural elements such as Christianity.
Justine
“The God of heaven forgive me! Ever since I was condemned, my confessor has besieged me; he threatened and menaced, until I almost began to think that I was the monster that he said I was. He threatened excommunication and hell fire in my last moments if I continued obdurate” (Chapter 8).
Justine is being accused of William’s murder. This is reflective of the mob mentality in which people see to find a scapegoat for a mysterious incident. Because the judge feels insecure about the murder case, the judge unconsciously thinks irrationally and is cornering Justine for blame. Nothing, even the hearings of those close to Justine that confirms how Justine would never have committed such horrendous act, would stop the mob mentality from eventually killing an innocent being. This is mob mentality a timeless element in cultural theory also applicable in Frankenstein as the characters in the book reflect the human tendency to victimize a vulnerable individual to feel secure.
Peasant Family
“Agatha fainted, and Safie, unable to attend to her friend, rushed out of the cottage. Felix darted forward, and with supernatural force tore me from his father, to whose knees I clung; in a transport of fury, he dashed me to the ground and struck me violently with a stick” (Chapter 15).
Despite Frankenstein’s kind-hearted actions, only the blind Delaine talks to him and accepts his existence. The peasant family attacks and brutally beats Frankenstein, thereby representing culture’s emphasis on appearance. Frankenstein did no harm, but his horrifying looks immediately caused the family to be terrified—an indication of society’s narrow-mindedness and tendency to judge based on aesthetics.
“I had not a moment to lose, but seizing the hand of the old man, I cried, ‘Now is the time! Save and protect me! You and your family are the friends whom I seek. Do not you desert me in the hour of trial!’” (Chapter 15).
The monster approaches the blind man and seeks to be part of human society. However, the monster’s wish is shattered when the blind man’s family comes in and shuns the monster away from the blind man. The quote captures the monster’s desperate wish to fit into human society. This example is a clear application of cultural theory because it reflects the emphasis on people’s aesthetics and physique during the Victorian Era. Thus, the quote is indicative of the human consciousness to reject anomaly from their society.
Victor Frankenstein
“It was the secrets of heaven and earth that I desired to learn; and whether it was the outward substance of things or the inner spirit of nature and the mysterious soul of man that occupied me, still my inquiries were directed to the metaphysical, or in its highest sense, the physical secrets of the world” (Chapter 2).
Victor represents a progressive individual with a scientific mindset. The scientific mind was an integral part of 19th century England, as experimentation gained popularity over more traditional cultural elements such as Christianity.
Justine
“The God of heaven forgive me! Ever since I was condemned, my confessor has besieged me; he threatened and menaced, until I almost began to think that I was the monster that he said I was. He threatened excommunication and hell fire in my last moments if I continued obdurate” (Chapter 8).
Justine is being accused of William’s murder. This is reflective of the mob mentality in which people see to find a scapegoat for a mysterious incident. Because the judge feels insecure about the murder case, the judge unconsciously thinks irrationally and is cornering Justine for blame. Nothing, even the hearings of those close to Justine that confirms how Justine would never have committed such horrendous act, would stop the mob mentality from eventually killing an innocent being. This is mob mentality a timeless element in cultural theory also applicable in Frankenstein as the characters in the book reflect the human tendency to victimize a vulnerable individual to feel secure.
Peasant Family
“Agatha fainted, and Safie, unable to attend to her friend, rushed out of the cottage. Felix darted forward, and with supernatural force tore me from his father, to whose knees I clung; in a transport of fury, he dashed me to the ground and struck me violently with a stick” (Chapter 15).
Despite Frankenstein’s kind-hearted actions, only the blind Delaine talks to him and accepts his existence. The peasant family attacks and brutally beats Frankenstein, thereby representing culture’s emphasis on appearance. Frankenstein did no harm, but his horrifying looks immediately caused the family to be terrified—an indication of society’s narrow-mindedness and tendency to judge based on aesthetics.