Prejudice in Mary Shelley's Novel Frankenstein

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Prejudice in Mary Shelley's novel Frankenstein
Prejudice is one of the most predominant themes in Mary Shelley's classical novel, Frankenstein. Prejudice is one of the biggest flaws of human nature. Most people are quick to judge others based on their looks and appearance instead of taking time to listen to them and interact with them to understand their intentions and the substance of their actions. In her gothic novel, Mary Shelley explores the theme of prejudice by inviting her audience to reflect on the Monster's treatment of humans. The Monster is immediately rejected by humans, including its creator, based on its looks. This forces the Monster to withdraw into isolation and misery, which propels it to develop intense feelings of hatred and a strong desire for revenge. Therefore, through Frankenstein, Shelley demonstrates that prejudice can force individuals to become lonely, isolated, paving the way for feelings of hatred, destruction, and retaliation.
In the novel, almost every character believed the Monster is a deadly creature out to cause harm. Victor, the creator of the Monster, is the first to express his hatred towards the Monster he had created. While he had set out to create a 'thing of beauty, he ended up creating the ugly Monster. The Monster educated itself and was able to argue rationally and act rationally like humans. However, this is not enough for it to be acceptable to humans around it. Its looks and appearance are repulsive. Therefore, the Monster is only judged based on its outward appearance instead of the rational ideas it can bring to the table. As a result, the Monster is constantly beaten, shunned, and even shot at by people it meets on the streets. The Monster tries to befriend William Frankenstein, whom it sees as a young boy, who may not have developed any sense of prejudice towards him. However, William Frankenstein rejects the Monster's approach and cries out, "Let me go," he cried; "Monster! Ugly wretch! You wish to eat me, and tear me to pieces -- You are an ogre (Shelley 31)."' To the Monster's shock, even the smaller ones had already been taught prejudice and hatred towards him.
The hatred the Monster received from the so-called civilized humans led him to withdraw from people and run to live by himself in a remote place. While in isolation, the Monster reflects on how it was treated by humans who were prejudiced and intolerant towards it. The Monster realizes that huma...