Frankenstein

In our day an age, appearance matters. Whether it is being accepted into a social group, or just to boost your own self-esteem the perception of beauty matters. In the novel Frankenstein by Mary Shelly, being accepted into society is significantly determined by the physical appearance of a person or even a creature. If you are beautiful you are both adored and envied, but if you are unattractive you could be considered an outsider. The character, Victor Frankenstein, follows this patter. He makes it clear that he appearance is more important than one’s inner beauty. Ones physical appearance and acceptance into society have a connection in this novel due to the experiences the creature has with the blind man, the rustic who fled from the monster, and Frankenstein’s love for Elizabeth but not his own son.

The creature is forced out of town by the screaming citizens. He travels into the woods where he is safe and comes upon a small cottage. He doesn’t approach them and stays clear from their view afraid them may hate him like everyone else he has met so far. There is a blind old man living in the house and the creature notices his disability. When the rest of the family is away he approaches the old man and speaks with him. The old man thinks he is nice and shouldn’t be afraid to make friends but when the family returns the monsters mind is not changed. They beat him until he leaves crying and doesn’t return. “…the beauty of the dream vanished, and breathless horror and disgust filled my heart.”(Ch. 5). The blind old man who could not see him accepted his feelings and inner beauty when he got to know him. The family on the other hand only saw his hideousness and was frightened.

While the creature was venturing in the woods he saw a little girl drowning in the river and rushed to save her. He tries to resuscitate her but the rustic that she was with quickly grabs