A striking feature about Frankenstein is the notion that the creature can speak. Not just that but he is completely literate, which is a big jump from the large vocabulary of about five different grunts as shown on the silver screen. Yet, this feat is not as unbelievable as it sounds; this is because in this original version the creature is away from his creator for around two years. With in this time period he studies humans and reads their books in order to get a handle on the English language and eventually completely understand all of its nuisances. He does not stop at language either, as he goes on to educate himself on history, life, and other points of knowledge as discovered by man.
I found this plot twist to be quiet a surprise, but the ability of the creature being able to learn and comprehend modern dialog and thought-processes is not the most interesting quality that he possesses. The fact that he forms and voices his own opinion on certain subjects is even more impressing. We only know his thoughts on the few subjects that he shares with Victor Frankenstein in his tale, undisclosed are perhaps hundreds of other stances on a variety of other subjects. Yet the most dynamic of his thoughts appears when he reads Paradise Lost. The book retells the story of creation; this of course greatly interests the creature. He observes:
“Like Adam, I was apparently united by no link to any other being in existence; but his state was far different from mine in every other respect. He had come forth from the hands of God a perfect creature, happy and prosperous, guarded by the especial care of his Creator; he was allowed to converse with, and acquire knowledge from, beings of a superior nature: but I was wretched, helpless, and alone. Many times I considered Satan as the fitter emblem of my condition; for often, like him, when I viewed the bliss of my protectors, the bitter gall of envy rose within me” (Shelley, 116).
The creature learns of the creation of man and compares it to his own formation. He easily sees the unfairness of his situation and is thus spiteful towards the race of man. With this equaled level of hate the monster turns to Satan, and makes a connection which is that they both display envy toward the “perfect” race of man. With the monster now siding with Satan he seems to be falling into exactly what everybody intended him to become instead of doing something about it. But he delves deeper than the depths of hell when he exclaims: “Satan had his companions, fellow-devils, to admire and encourage him; but I am solitary and abhorred” (Shelley, 117). He now expresses a breach from everything; neither good nor evil, neither angel nor devil, neither heaven or hell. The creature secludes himself away from all and realizes that he is a completely different entity all-together. What he does with this discovery can spell disaster for many others, and he is cursed with this notion for the rest of his life. He is only forever and is denied faith in all fashions. Hallowed be thy name.
