Initially, the term “sympathy” may not come to one’s mind when they think of the monster

in “Frankenstein” (possibly due to the killing spree and murderous rampage). However, it is
obvious that the monster is not a one-dimensional character only made to play the villain in
Shelley’s story. Readers are able to see many different sides of the character throughout the
monster’s development, making it seem nearly implausible to say that people will find it
“impossible to sympathize with the monster”.

The creation’s first days are spent in confusion and pain. When Frankenstein abandons his
creation, the monster flees and describes his first impressions of the world around him "A
strange multiplicity of sensations seized me, and I saw, felt, heard, and smelt at the same
time; and it was, indeed, a long time before I learned to distinguish between the operations
of my various senses” This quote allows the reader to compare the creation’s first few
moments of life to that of a new born baby, “helpless”. The creation even “wept” like a child
would do when they need help. This allows the reader to feel sympathy for the monster, as
he is essentially an abandoned new born, left to fend for himself.

The monster is not even allowed to feel human or given the chance to try to be human. He
is constantly being beaten and attacked by people “The whole village was roused; some
fled, some attacked me”. Even when the monster tries to do good and begins to gain a
sense of empathy and compassion he is rejected and beaten by people he called his
“friends” and when he tries to save a young girl, his only thank you is a bullet. The monster’s
constant rejection, not only from his creator but from everyone around him, is a strong
argument for sympathy as he is not even allowed into society and is treated like a pariah
from the moment he opens his eyes.

The monster hates himself due to this abandonment, constantly calling himself “miserable
wretch”, even asking “why do I live?”. His entire existence is called “suffering” and “misery”
as he constantly unable to find anything permanent and good in his life. He even goes as far
as to say his situation is worse than that of Satan “Satan had his companions, fellow devils,
to admire and encourage him, but I am solitary and abhorred”. His own creator calls him a
“daemon” and regrets creating him. This idea that the monster is hated by everyone he
comes across “Am I not shunned and hated by all mankind?”, even himself, is a strong point
for sympathy as one of the basic human needs is a relationship, whether it be familial,
platonic, or romantic.

The monster’s sheer loneliness and need for companionship also allows the reader to feel
sympathy.