Alex Kelly, Allie Steele, Ryan Cobb, Spencer Paul

ROMANTIC HEROVICTOR

VS. THE MONSTER

A romantic hero is a character who possesses an understanding of themselves and the world

around them; experiencing the world through emotions and intuition rather than logic. Often

has an emotional connection with readers.Intuition- the ability to understand something immediately, without the need for conscious

reasoning; basically instinct.

WHAT IS A ROMANTIC HERO?

An example of the theme of a romantic hero would be The Beast from Beauty and the Beast. The Beast has characters very similar to the monster. They both possess the trait of looking and being seen from the eye a “monster”. Neither

of the creatures are friendly approached by society but has the traits of the will to be loved. The beast has a heart that

is full of love and shows it in his actions throughout the story.

The next romantic hero is the star-crossed lover Romeo from Romeo and Juliet. This heroic romance has traits

starting with the accident of Romeo thinking that Juliet has killed herself because they could not be with one another.

Romeo then commits suicide because he would do anything for Juliet because of his strong passion and lack of logic.

EXAMPLES

Thesis

In the novel Frankenstein by Mary Shelley, the monster and Victor both represent romantic

heroes. Upon creation, the monster is new to the world, and is forced to explore through its

emotions and intuition rather than logic. Victor behaves childishly as the monster, allowing his

emotions, mainly fear, to drive his actions. Through Victor and the monster, Shelley shows readers that guidance and logic are needed for

success in the world.

Topic Sentence 1

In the beginning of the book, Victor describes how hideous the monster is, abandoning the monster

out of fear. (Shelley 43) The monster, who has the body of a man and the mind of a child, must

experience the world blindly to logic, only being able to observe from afar in lonely isolation. Similarly, Victor possesses a child’s courage,

despite being a grown man. When the monster was first brought to life, it expected something of Victor

if it were a child looking to its parent.

Victor, however, turns tail and runs, abandoning the monster to its own means.

Quote

“His jaws opened, and he muttered some inarticulate sounds, while a grin wrinkled his

cheeks… One hand was stretched out…” (Shelley 44)

• The monster is muttering sounds, much like a child.

• It smiles at Victor like a child would smile at its parent.

• Children often let their emotions drive their actions.

Quote

“How can I describe my emotions at this catastrophe, or how delineate the wretch whom

with such infinite pains and care I had endeavored to form?” (Shelley 43)

• Victor is terrified by the monster and loses words to describe his horror.

• Victor runs as a result of his terror- his emotions drive his actions.

Topic Sentence 2

As the story progresses, Victor and the monster continue to emotionally pursue everything in their

lives. The monster is forced to observe the DeLacey family as role models since its “hero”

abandoned it.

Continuing his many journeys, Victor failed to own up to his responsibility for Justine’s framing.

Quote

“Such was the history of my beloved cottagers. It impressed me deeply. I learned, from the views of

social life which it developed, to admire their virtues, and to deprecate the vices of mankind.”

(Shelley 116)

• The creature grows an attachment to his “family”.

• He was able to learn all the things that he could not of learned due to the lack of the presence of his creator.

• Continuing with the childlike motif, the creature clings to the first thing that makes him feel safe.

Quote

“I believed in her innocence… could the daemon, who had (I did not for a minute doubt) murdered

my brother, also in his hellish sport have betrayed the innocent to death and ignominy? I could not sustain the horror of my situation… I rushed out of the court in agony… the fangs of remorse tore

my bosom…” (Shelley 71)

• Victor does not take responsibility for what happened to Justine.

• He feels pain and sorrow for what he has done.• Victor is cowardly for the actions of his creation

and does not confess to the judge that Justine is innocent, all out of fear for harm to his own well being.

Topic Sentence 3

At the end of the book, Victor describes the deaths of all his family and friends and how sorry

he is for all of it happening.

The monster shows up on the ship with Frankenstein upon his death, mourning the loss of its creator. Similarly to Victor, the monster feels

remorseful for all that happened.

Quote

“I raised that I might pass my life on that barren rock, wearily, it is true, but uninterrupted by any sudden shock of misery. If I returned, it was to be sacrificed or to see those whom I most loved die under the grasp of a demon whom I had myself

created.” (Shelley 159)

• Victor is mourning the deaths of all his loved ones.• He realizes that it was him who created all the

madness and the source of his own sorrow.• Victor is sorry for what has happened and wants to

die for it.

Quote

“But it is true that I am a wretch. I have murdered the lovely and the helpless; I have strangled the innocent as they slept and grasped to death his throat who never injured me or any other living

thing… You hate me, but your abhorrence cannot equal that with which I regard myself.” (Shelley

211-12)

• The creature is mourning all his wrong doings in his existence,

• He feels repentant for what he has put Victor and others through.

• The creature says that Victor did not make him that way, for he made himself that way.