Although he has been created in a scientific laboratory
and left on his own, Frankenstein's creature becomes truly human because he possesses
emotions and thoughts that are intrinsically human. For instance, in the creature's
recounting of his experiences, he tells Victor that he came upon a small hut from which
an old man fled after seeing him. He wanders into another cottage, but is repelled by
stones and other "missile weapons." Finally, he finds refuge in a small sty, but he is
hidden from "the barbarity of man." Then, one day he observes a young woman and
man.
The poignancy and sensitivity with which the creature
relates his observations of the DeLacey family, the benevolence of the old man and the
despondence of the young man, the affection and kindness of the lovely creatures is,
indeed, an indication of the human feelings and longings that he possesses. In fact,
the creature experiences a maturation in his
feelings:
"This trait of kindness moved me sensibly. I
had been accustomed, during the night, to steal a part of their store for my own
consumption; but when I found that in doing this I inflicted pain on the cottagers, I
abstained, and satisfied myself with berries, nuts, and roots, which I gathered from a
neighboring wood."
“I discovered also another means through
which I was enabled to assist their labours. I found that the youth spent a great part
of each day in collecting wood for the family fire; and during the night, I often took
his tools, the use of which I quickly discovered, and brought home firing sufficient for
the consumption of several
days.
From listening to the
cottagers, the creature learns to speak. He also endeavors to bring happiness to the
residents of the cottage. But, when he sees his reflection, the creature wonders how he
will accomplish his goal. Nevertheless, his feelings are strong, and in his loneliness
he desires to be in communion with the cottagers, certainly a human need, but not one he
can share. He tells Victor,
I wished sometimes to shake off all thought and
feeling; but I learned that there was but one means to overcome the sensation of pain,
and that was death—a state which I feared yet did not understand. I admired virtue and
good feelings, and loved the gentle manners and amiable qualities of my cottagers; but I
was shut out from intercourse with them, except through means which I obtained by
stealth, when I was unseen and unknown, and which rather increased than satisfied the
desire I had of becoming one among my fellows. The gentle words of Agatha, and the
animated smiles of the charming Arabian were not for me. The mild exhortations of the
old man, and the lively conversation of the loved Felix, were not for me. Miserable,
unhappy wretch!
Certainly, the characteristics of wishing
to alleviate the suffering of others, to share in the happiness of others, and alleviate
his own pain and tormented conditions are indications of the creature's
humanity.
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