In our day an age, appearance matters. Whether it is being accepted into a social group, or just to boost your own self-esteem the perception of beauty matters. In the novel Frankenstein by Mary Shelly, being accepted into society is significantly determined by the physical appearance of a person or even a creature. If you are beautiful you are both adored and envied, but if you are unattractive you could be considered an outsider. The character, Victor Frankenstein, follows this patter. He makes it clear that he appearance is more important than ones inner beauty. Ones physical appearance and acceptance into society have a connection in this novel due to the experiences the creature has with the blind man, the rustic who fled from the monster, and Frankensteins love for Elizabeth but not his own son.
The creature is forced out of town by the screaming citizens. He travels into the woods where he is safe and comes upon a small cottage. He doesnt approach them and stays clear from their view afraid them may hate him like everyone else he has met so far. There is a blind old man living in the house and the creature notices his disability. When the rest of the family is away he approaches the old man and speaks with him. The old man thinks he is nice and shouldnt be afraid to make friends but when the family returns the monsters mind is not changed. They beat him until he leaves crying and doesnt return. the beauty of the dream vanished, and breathless horror and disgust filled my heart.(Ch. 5). The blind old man who could not see him accepted his feelings and inner beauty when he got to know him. The family on the other hand only saw his hideousness and was frightened.
While the creature was venturing in the woods he saw a little girl drowning in the river and rushed to save her. He tries to resuscitate her but the rustic that she was with quickly grabs her from his arms. Confused as to why the man was mad he goes to follow him. ..But when the man saw me draw near, he aimed a gun, which he carried, at my body, and fired.(Ch. 16). The man pulls a gun on the monster even after he had just saved the little girls life. His heroic actions meant nothing to the man just his horrifying appearance drove him away.
When Victor was a boy he was given a beautiful gift, Elizabeth. He instantly fell in love with her because she was gorgeous. her face so expressive of sensibility and sweetness that none could behold her without looking on her as of a distinct species(Ch. 1). She was so beautiful that everyone loved her just because of that fact. Victor is in love with Elizabeth but is horrified from his very own creation.
Physical appearance and acceptance into society have a connection in the novel due to the experiences the monster goes through. The blind man who could not see the monster accepted him because he saw his wonderful personality. Victor is horrified by him even though he created him. Elizabeth is loved by Victor and I believe that creature is jealous of her looks and acceptance.
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