Frankenstein.......NOT what I was expecting

So the novel Frankenstein, by Mary Shelley, is not what I expected it to be at all. In fact, my mental image of what the book would be about was completely different from what I actually ended up reading. First things first, Frankenstein ended up not being the monster......how crazy is that? So crazy, I know. When I would hear the word Frankenstein as a child-or even as recent as oh, I don’t know, this past summer- I would instantly imagine the story being about this large, green being (that I of course thought was the one actually named Frankenstein) who was created by some neighborly, well loved, mad scientist and everyone in the little village would accept this different "person" as if he was a big, friendly giant; almost like the way the towns people in The Nightmare Before Christmas accepted Sally, the rag doll like creation of the notorious Dr. Finklestein. Unfortunately, that wasn't the case at all! Besides my dreams being crushed when it hit me that Frankenstein was simply the last name of the scientist who created this "monster" like figure (seriously so disappointing), the reality of the themes and situations the novel actually explored were quite shocking. This novel had some deep hidden messages inside of it, and after reading the novel I couldn't help but sit back and reflect on what it all meant. Two themes that continued to pop up throughout the novel that repeatedly caught my attention as I read were the "Unjust Society" and "Role of the Parent/Creator". In my opinion, Shelley did an excellent job of shedding light on the fact that society can be cruel, judgmental, and overall unjust. If we really think about it, this whole story began when Victor Frankenstein's scientific opinions were unfairly judged and scorned by his peers; the way his fellow classmates and professors tossed his ideas aside while also shunning him from social acceptance soon led to him becoming driven with the desire to prove all those who tore him down wrong. Victor was an outsider, and the unfair treatment he received due to the fact that his view on science was different from those around him goes to show how society can be quick to put down anyone who the majority classifies as not fitting into the “social norms”. Thus, explaining the unfair treatment Victor’s creation later on received. The treatment of the “monster” was honestly a mix of Victor’s overall failed parenting skills and society’s refusal to sit back and not judge a book by its cover. None of the abuse this poor creature encountered was necessary! Victor’s refusal to step up and take responsibility for this new being he created by showing it how to interact with nature, speak, and even look presentable to those around him is what led to the unjust things that happened to his innocent friends and family members; his unfair treatment towards the monster is what led to the devastating deaths of three people he truly loved. As if Victor’s failed parenting skills weren’t enough for the monster to face, the harsh realities of the world we live in tore him down as well. All the monster wanted was someone to love and share an amicable relationship with, but the unfortunate outward appearances he had, due to Victor and his selfish quest for social acceptance, eventually led to him terrorizing innocent civilians in the end. I actually felt for the monster in his times of rage; the unnatural creation he had was not something of his choice, and the rejection he encountered from the one who actually created him was wrong and flat out disappointing. Ya feel me?