The Frankenstein Story

I've had the workings of this story in my drafts for some time now. The reason being is because it's not emotionally pleasant or pretty, but it must be dealt with. It's time to let the monster out.

Years ago (in 1994,) together we watched the perfect union of Mary Shelley's tale unfold through Kenneth Branagh's telling of their very own imperfect and broken child, "Frankenstein." I saw the tears roll down your face (not even twenty years old) as you related to the hurt and agony within that monster's heart as he faced the fear that he was deemed "unworthy" of the love and human connection of which he craved the most. And, like the patched-together pitiful creature in the film, that hurt and empty longing seared into red-hot rage.

“I do know that for the sympathy of one living being, I would make peace with all. I have love in me the likes of which you can scarcely imagine and rage the likes of which you would not believe. If I cannot satisfy the one, I will indulge the other." (Mary Shelley, Frankenstein.)

Sadly, my son...our dance is much in tune to Shelley's iconic story. As you would agree. I am Victor who created you, yet did not fully "see" you, or see the pain that life had handed you from the choices I had made. Part of you was formed by those experiences. It brought you to dark places. I am eternally remorseful for that. I didn't save you or shield you then...my arms didn't reach out. It wasn't from lack of love for you, but from unawareness. Your innocence was taken from you then. It took me way too long to understand this. Forgive me.

We have discussed at length, your childhood memories and the collateral damage that followed. In an article* published in February 2023, Matthew Mosley writes, "There’s a recurring feeling that he only acts like a monster due to Victor’s cowardice after creating him, and if he had confronted rather than avoided his problems, then the trail of bodies that eventually culminates in their deaths could have been avoided."

In truth, Victor & his creation are BOTH monsters in need of healing. But confrontation is only the first step. Healing is hard work. And so is forgiveness. (See the references below if you can relate to our story and to this Frankenstein dance.)

It is also true that even though we are at odds with one another at times, and you lash out with those hurts, you have just as great of love for me. It can be said of the way I feel for you, too. Deep pain and deep love. Same between Frankenstein towards his "Father" as the movie depicts.

That is why I can fully understand this section in the account which **cliffnotes provide:

Shelley states in the preface that Frankenstein is a book that depicts "domestic affection."

While this might seem strange to say about a book full of death, destruction, and despair, these tragedies are all caused by Victor's and the monster's lack of connection to either family or society.

In other words, the true evil in the story is not the characters, but rather the isolation that they experience.

The story of Frankenstein is heartbreaking. In our culture today there is so much brokenness and separation of families, that it could even be called a pandemic. It doesn't have to be this way.

My pledge to you, my son...is that I'm going to keep on trying to heal and I will continue to pray for your healing and accommodate that in every healthy way possible. By the way, you are loved and you are "worthy!"

REFERENCES:

*Mary Shelley's Frankenstein': The (Almost) Perfect Adaptation of a Horror Classic by MATTHEW MOSLEY:

https://collider.com/mary-shelleys-frankenstein-adaptation/#:~:text=Kenneth%20Branagh's%201994%20film%20is,synonymous%20with%20horror%20than%20Frankenstein.

**https://www.cliffsnotes.com/literature/frankenstein/themes#isolation-and-vengeance

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