Mary Shelley's Frankenstein is a profound exploration of what constitutes monstrosity, a question that has captivated readers for over two centuries. While the Creature is undeniably grotesque in appearance, the true nature of his monstrosity is not inherent but rather a product of his genesis and subsequent experiences. Victor Frankenstein's obsessive pursuit of scientific glory, coupled with his abandonment of his creation, sets in motion a tragic chain of events. The Creature's innate capacity for learning and empathy, evident in his early observations of the De Lacey family, is systematically crushed by societal rejection and Victor's continued cruelty. Therefore, Frankenstein powerfully illustrates that monstrosity is not solely a matter of innate disposition (nature) but is profoundly shaped by environmental influences and the treatment one receives (nurture).
From his very first moments of consciousness, the Creature exhibits a nascent sentience and a desire for connection, traits that seem to defy the label of inherent monstrosity. He awakens alone, bewildered, and instinctively seeks comfort and understanding. His initial experiences are marked by sensory overload and a gradual comprehension of the world around him. When he stumbles upon the De Lacey family's cottage, he observes them with a profound, almost childlike curiosity. He learns language by listening to their conversations, understands the concept of love and belonging by watching their interactions, and feels a deep yearning to be a part of their loving unit. His secret acts of kindness, such as gathering wood for the family, demonstrate a capacity for altruism and a desire for positive social engagement. These behaviors suggest that the Creature is born with a neutral, perhaps even benevolent, disposition, a blank slate upon which experiences will write their indelible script. His potential for good is palpable, a stark contrast to the monstrous image Victor and society immediately impose upon him.
However, this innate potential is brutally extinguished by the relentless force of nurture, or rather, the complete absence of it, replaced by cruelty and rejection. Victor Frankenstein's initial reaction upon completing his experiment is not paternal concern but abject horror and disgust. He flees his creation, effectively abandoning him at the moment of his birth. This act of primal abandonment sets the stage for the Creature's ensuing torment. When the Creature finally attempts to interact with humans, beginning with the villagers and then the De Laceys themselves, he is met with fear, violence, and ostracism. The physical revulsion he inspires, a direct consequence of Victor's misguided design, becomes a insurmountable barrier to any possibility of integration or acceptance. His attempts at communication are met with stones and curses. The De Laceys, whom he had come to love and admire from afar, react with terror and violence when they finally see him. This constant barrage of rejection and violence, rather than a natural inclination towards evil, breeds his bitterness, his anger, and ultimately, his desire for revenge.
The narrative arc of the Creature is a tragic testament to the power of environmental influence. His transformation from a bewildered, empathetic being into a vengeful destroyer is a direct result of the relentless cruelty he endures. His eloquent pleas to Victor for a companion, for understanding, reveal a mind that is not inherently savage but one that has been warped by isolation and suffering. He articulates his grievances with clarity and logic, demonstrating a capacity for complex thought and emotional expression. He states, "I was benevolent and good; misery made me a fiend." This admission is crucial, as it directly attributes his descent into "fiendish" behavior to his unhappy experiences, not to an inherent, predetermined evil. Victor, by consistently refusing to acknowledge his responsibility and by perpetuating the Creature's suffering, becomes an equally, if not more, monstrous figure. His obsession with his own scientific achievement blinds him to the ethical implications of his creation and his subsequent obligations.
Ultimately, Frankenstein argues that monstrosity is a complex interplay of innate potential and environmental conditioning. The Creature's physical appearance might be considered a product of nature, or rather, Victor's unnatural creation. However, his actions, his descent into violence and despair, are overwhelmingly shaped by the nurture he receives—or, more accurately, the lack thereof. Victor's failure to provide guidance, compassion, or even basic acceptance transforms a potentially neutral being into a figure of destruction. The novel thus serves as a powerful cautionary tale, suggesting that true monstrosity lies not in outward appearance or even in the act of creation itself, but in the moral failings of the creator and the societal prejudices that deny empathy and understanding to those perceived as different.