For my research paper, I’m focusing on how characters in Frankenstein rely on the acceptance of others to feel confident in their identities and the consequences of not being able to be happy with who they are without this reliance. In the introduction, I will give background on the novel (such as author, publication date and company) as well as a very short summary of the novel and how it relates to identity. I will then state my thesis and so what statement.
In my first body paragraph I will talk about how the creature is one character that relies on others for confidence in his identity. We see from the first spoken interaction between the creature and Frankenstein that the creature is an outcast and that even his own creator (paternal figure) is repulsed by him. He tells Frankenstein that he is “miserable beyond all living things!” We hear through his story about how being outcasted has affected the creature’s life thus far and this is the stem of his sadness. I will discuss how the creature’s multiple rejections and solitude affects his identity and how he wants a woman monster who will love him. His ultimate goal is for a creature that accepts him and thus he will do everything in his power to get Victor to make this creature for him.
In my next paragraph I will discuss the consequences that the creature faces due to his rejection of identity from the outside world. I will use the article “Self-Referent Cognition” by Howard B. Kaplan to discuss the negative outcomes of seeing yourself as an outcast. I will discuss how the creature’s knowledge that he is different and unaccepted affects his behavior. I would also like to use “Social Acceptance and Rejection: The Sweet and the Bitter” to discuss how the creature’s loneliness causes his rage. I believe that the creature’s murderous acts are due to his rejection. It is scientifically shown that loneliness and rejection can cause poor mental health and this can disrupt society due to the individual’s lashing out- exactly what the creature does. Thus, I will summarize how the creatures rejection and inability to accept his own identity is the stem of his sadness and it is this rejection that causes his rage.
Similar to the creature, Frankenstein cannot accept his own identity. This paragraph will be dedicated to the explaining how Frankenstein cannot justify his own identity by himself. He tries to create someone that would be like him and thus understand his identity- the monster. Because the monster is supposed to be a representation and mirror of Frankenstein’s own identity, he should recognize himself when he sees it. However, the opposite is true. I will use “‘Frankenstein’ and Dis(re)membered Identity” by Eleanor Salotto to discuss how Frankenstein does not go through a “mirror stage” and thus cannot understand his own identity. Because the monster IS his own identity, he refuses to accept it. Instead, he needs others to take care of him because his non acceptance of himself leaves him to not have a complete identity. Like the monster, Victor needs another individual to accept him and when he does not have one, he tries to find another source.
My next paragraph will again discuss the consequences of Frankenstein’s reliance on another. Frankenstein needs a creature to whom he can relate even more fully and thus this causes a true harm to society- the monster. Victor’s inability to accept himself is what prompts him to create the monster which in turn murders innocent people.
My conclusion will summarize how these two characters’ inability to accept themselves causes consequences for the society and restate my thesis. I will then discuss how we need to use this novel as a warning in society today- we must learn to accept our own identities and not rely on other individuals to do it for us especially in this day and age where social media is always present.
**may discuss Walton’s inability to accept himself and needs a friend who he can relate to- may not depending on page limit with above paragraphs.