What aspect of life brings the monster sheer joy?
A. The surprising idea of becoming Agatha’s husband
B. The first reading of Frankenstein’s research
C. The overwhelming thought of getting revenge on Frankenstein
D. The coming of spring with its colors and smells
The Correct Answer and Explanation is:
The correct answer is D. The coming of spring with its colors and smells.
In Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein, the monster is a tragic and complex character. Despite the rejection and isolation he faces from society and even from his creator, Victor Frankenstein, the monster occasionally experiences moments of pure joy, particularly when he is in nature. One of the key moments when he finds solace is when he enjoys the beauty of the natural world.
In the novel, spring represents renewal, life, and growth. The monster, in his initial experience with nature, is captivated by its sights, sounds, and smells. These moments provide him with a temporary escape from the harshness of his existence and the emotional torment he suffers due to his deformity and the rejection he faces from Victor Frankenstein. The sensory delights of spring—its “colors” and “smells”—offer a stark contrast to the rejection and violence that he endures from humans, particularly from Frankenstein himself. This connection with nature allows the monster to experience a momentary peace and joy, something that he has not found in human society.
While the monster does indeed seek revenge against Frankenstein later in the novel, that is driven by anger, bitterness, and a sense of betrayal. Revenge, therefore, does not provide him with the same kind of pure, untainted joy that he feels when he experiences the beauty of the natural world. This contrast emphasizes the monster’s innocence at the start of the novel and the depth of his eventual suffering as he becomes consumed by bitterness.
In conclusion, the monster finds sheer joy in the simple and untainted pleasures of nature, especially in the coming of spring, which provides him with a brief respite from his otherwise tortured existence.