Frankenstein Essay First Paragraph Outline

I. Thesis - In the novel Frankenstein by Mary Shelley, Victor and the monster are alike
because they both blame each other for their own suffering, but while Victor is
destined for greatness while the monster is destined for loneliness and misery.
II. 1st Assertion - Victor and the monster blame each other for their own suffering.
III. Quotes-
1. During these last days I have been occupied in examining my past conduct; nor
do I find it blamable. In a fit of enthusiastic madness I created a rational creature,
and was bound towards him, to assure, as far as was in my power, his happiness
and well-being.

2. He showed unparalleled malignity and selfishness, in evil: he destroyed my

friends; he devoted to destruction beings who possessed exquisite
sensations, happiness, and wisdom; nor do I know where this thirst for
vengeance may end. Miserable himself, that he may render no
other wretched he ought to die.

3. Once I falsely hoped to meet with beings who, pardon my outward form, would
love me for the excellent qualities which I was capable of unfolding.

4. You, who call Frankenstein your friend, seem to have a knowledge of my crimes
and his misfortunes. But in the detail he gave you of them he could not sum up
the hours and months of misery which I endured, wasting in impotent passions.
IV. Commentary-
1. Frankenstein is saying he doesn't feel bad about what hes done. He tries to
rationalize his creation of the monster and put the fault away from himself. Even
though his creation is the source of his discomfort, he refuses to acknowledge
that he played any role in it.
5. Frankenstein is making the monster out to be something hes not. The monster is
lonely and angry not selfish and evil. Frankenstein is trying to make himself look
like the only victim and blames everything on the monster.
6. The monster is being savage here. Hes apologizing before he says something
completely normal to say. The monster should be entitled to his own happiness
but he feels the world doesnt want him to be loved.
 7. The monster says Frankenstein could not even imagine the suffering he went
through even if he tried to explain it to someone. He is calling Frankenstein
selfish and better off than himself. He makes his suffering and actions
Frankensteins fault.

I 2nd Assertion - The difference between the monster and Victor is that Victors
situation enabled him to become successful, whereas the monsters condition
makes his life full of mistreatment and misfortune.
V. Quotes:
1. When I was younger I believed myself destined for some great enterprise. My
feelings are profound; but I possessed a coolness of judgement that fitted me for
illustrious achievements. This sentiment of the worth of my nature supported me
when others would have been oppressed; for I deemed it criminal to throw away in
useless grief those talents that might be useful to my fellow-creatures
2. Even now I cannot recollect without passion my reveries while the work was
incomplete From infancy I was imbued with high hopes and a lofty ambition; but
how am I sunk!
3. No sympathy may I ever find. When I first sought it, it was the love of virtue, the
feelings of happiness and affection with which my whole being overflowed, that I
wished to be participated. But now that virtue has become to me a shadow and that
happiness and affection are turned into bitter and loathing despair, in what should I
seek for sympathy?
4. Even now my blood boils at the recollection of this injustice.
VI. Commentary:
1. Victor, in his youth, was happy and eager because his upbringing was full of love
and hope. This mindset helped him live a life full of opportunity and achievement
and eventually makes his downfall hurt that much worse.
5. When Victor thinks about his past, hes consumed by the passion he was fueled
by when he was creating the monster. He is reminded of the better days he has
seen before creating his enemy.
6. The monster is convinced that he cannot find compassion from humanity. All of
the wonderful feelings he used to crave are now replaced with the other side of
humanity, one that is bleak and cold. This is the way the monster learned about the
world around him, and he never was given a chance for greatness the was Victor
was.
7. When the monster thinks about his past, he isnt filled with the same fiery
passions that Victor is but instead gets angry about his existence and the way he
was rejected by humanity as a whole.