Frankenstein and the Importance of Family: A Persuasive Analysis

The novel Frankenstein by Mary Shelley contains many aspects of the major theme “family.” In persuasive essay about family this topic will be discussed within the review of this book. Throughout the entirety of this novel we are shown the different ways that family comforts and supports each other as well as when family neglects and abandons one another. From reading just one novel, Frankenstein, we can better understand what some families do to each other, why these families act this certain way, whether it be good or bad, and what they can do to improve as a whole.

The beginning of the familial affection in the novel starts with the relationship of Alphonse and Caroline, the parents of Victor Frankenstein. The two become close and later end up marrying each other. This comes about after Alphonse’s friend and Caroline’s father, Beaufort, dies, leaving Caroline in Alphonse’s care. These two people are the perfect example of how family should treat each other. Alphonse initially brought Caroline into his care because she is important to Beaufort This particular situation shows that you do not need to be directly related to a person in order to be their family.

In contrast to Alphonse, Victor did not always treat his “family” as great as he could have. Regarding the creature, from the start Victor immediately abandons and shuns his “son.” He is left scared and confused fending for and providing for himself. Whether or not Victor was ashamed and frightened by what he had done, he should have never reacted in the way that he did.

Another instance of ideal familial affection is when Alphonse, once again, takes someone under his wing. After his sister dies, her husband insists that their child Elizabeth be brought up by family rather than a stepmother. Without hesitation, Elizabeth is welcomed into the house of her Aunt and Uncle. Alphonse, on many occasions, proves to be the exemplary example of a father. His willingness to help the people around him show us that he is not only a great father but a great man in general.

In the novel, we actually see a majority of kindness towards family. Family is seemingly very loving, accepting, and understanding of each other. This might have to do with the way these particular families were brought up. It could also be the people's realization of how significant family is to a person.

The many aspects of a loving family seem to affect everyone accept the creature. He was horribly treated by his only family. Most of the time when family is as horrible to each other as Victor was to the creature, they tend to be faced with personal dilemmas that affect their responses.

After Victor viciously destroys the body of the creature’s soon to be wife, it leads to a never ending hatred from the creature to Victor. At this point it seems almost impossible for any kind of recovery or forgiveness. If Victor had reacted with more compassion and understanding the results could have been lessened to an extreme.

Not only until the very end of the novel do see some kind of resolve regarding the creature and Victor. Walton proved himself to be the saving grace of two. After Frankenstein dies and the creature comes to see him, Walton is what seems to be the first person to show true compassion towards the creature. Even after Victor expresses his dying wish for Walton to kill the creature, he is overcome with “curiosity and compassion” and decides to listen to his story.

The biggest thing I believe Shelley is trying to say about family is that family is not always blood and that a little compassion can go a long way. Being able to “talk things out” the same way Walton did with the creature, can change a person's whole demeanor. Instead of going straight to lashing out, give yourself and the other person time and space. And last but not least...forgive. Shelley, like many of the characters in her novel, is able to express not only the good and bad things that families do to each other, but why they do it. These are the core facts that can help us, as readers, to recognize the best ways to overcome hardships and improve.