Opposite Of Adam
...The Opposite of Adam
Mary Shelley's Frankenstein is a timeless tale that even today teaches the value of
good parenting. Though it is not directly a manual for child care, it is better than some of
our more modern depictions on how and why children malform (Patterson np). It is a
belief that little separation or away time between a child and a parent during the first
years are imperative for security (Henderson np) and that parents are responsible for
preparing their child "for a world that requires responsibility and maturity for survival"
(Foster and Cline np). Children need emotional nourishment, which includes attention,
understanding, praise, inclusion, validation, structure, and modeling (Reuther np). The
obligations and responsibilities of parents or parental figures weigh very heavily,
especially "when we consider the fate of the monster and the monster-like man who
created him" (Patterson np). Although not naturally, Victor Frankenstein gives birth to a
living being, which makes him the parent and therefore responsible for its welfare. He
doesn't take any responsibility or provide any of the things a parent should to their child.
The newly created creature (as I prefer to call him) is like a newborn infant. He
experiences the initial shock of being and has to adjust to the bright light and harsh
sounds as if just emerging from the womb. After his creator rejects him, he looks for
companionship with the moon, but when that proves unsatisfactory, he looks for love in
civilization. Because of his lack of parental love and guidance, because of his rejection
Allmon 2
from society, this creature becomes a monster (Patterson np). According to the Random
House Webster's College Dictionary, a monster is "a person who excites horror by
wickedness, cruelty, etc." (850). This being was not wicked or cruel when it was first
created, but...
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