Supawit #3

 Shelly believes in the idea that humans are inherently good, but are influenced by their surroundings. This concept is represented by the monster, who was born inherently good, but became corrupt because of the judgmental society he lived in. He never intended to harm anyone until he was told of how he was made and why Victor left him. The monster's morbid appearance was criticized by humans because their society unintentionally influenced them to judge people based on looks. After Victor destroyed the female monster that was nearly finished, the monster cries, "find a wife for his bosom, and each mast have his mate and I be alone? I had feelings of affection, and the were requited by detestation and scorn. Man! you may hate; but beware! your hours will pass in dread and misery.." (122). Though the Monster becomes violent and dangerous, he still feels glimpses of guilt and love that come as a result of his inherently good nature. Victor feels just as guilty and responsible for his creation, which is why he nearly creates this female figure. However, destroying the monster's potential mate right before his eyes brings their relationship to a dreadful point of no return. When Monster hysterically rants to Winston, he states, "But it is even so; the fallen angel becomes a malignant devil. Yet even that enemy of God and man had friends and associates in his desolation; I am alone" (165). This extremely powerful quote encompasses both his previous self with his present feelings of solitude and agony. To destroy the only person that could potentially give the monster any sort of happiness gave him, "an insatiable thirst for vengeance"(164). The Monster wanted to kill nearly everything his creator loved so Victor would be consumed by hatred just as he was.  This religious reference is to emphasize that the monster is not human nor demon, and that even in hell there is company that he still does not have. Victor's death leaves him completely alone in the world and has no one to live for after this pursuit is finished.

I do not think that humans are purely good nor evil. This quote by Wilkie Collins really stood out to me, “The best men are not consistent in good-- why should the worst men be consistent in evil". Everyone has the potential to do harm, just as everyone has the potential to do good as well. It is all about lifestyle choices; who and what people surround themselves with, and the values they create while doing so. I'd say that people are unpredictable; no one can really decide or assume what choices we make in life as it is in our own duty to do what we think is best. Victor never intended such events to occur when creating the monster, he hoped for new innovations for society and a companion he could call his own. It was the way he went about the situation that turned this whole situation into a disaster as he was responsible in taking care of the monster and teaching him the ways of life.