Suffering is an important thematic element in Mary Shelly's novel Frankenstein. The Wretched One constantly mentally struggles with negative experiences of rejection. The psychological suffering endured illustrates self-realization through a newfound understanding of one's identity and flaws. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an original essay Throughout the novel, the Wretch desperately attempts to connect with humans, only to be repeatedly rejected due to his abnormal appearance. As soon as he experiences life, Victor Frankenstein, his creator, abandons him. The event that emerged from Victor's point of view was as follows: “I saw the wretch, the miserable monster I had created. He opened his jaw and muttered a few inarticulate sounds, a smile creasing his cheeks. He may have spoken, but I didn't hear... I ran away." He is deprived of a loving childhood and parental bond. This bond, or lack thereof, is ingrained in the fabric of the Wretched. All his thoughts, actions and feelings are interconnected with the knowledge that a loving figure is absent. Tamar Granot explains: “Rejection and abandonment have traumatic effects that go beyond loss. He is given the devastating message that he is not loved and does not deserve to be loved.” His lack of love is the foundation of his monstrous identity. Mellor confirms: “Without motherhood, without an early experience of loving education, a man left to himself from birth would be more of a monster than others.” The unfortunate man is aware of having been deliberately rejected and channels his feelings through violence; making violence a part of his identity. The Wretched Man avoids taking responsibility for his misery. He accuses Frankenstein of turning him into a 'demon': “Remember that I am your creature. I was benevolent and good, poverty made me a devil." He holds Frankenstein accountable by addressing Frankenstein's contribution to his misery. According to Granot “rejected children cry out for unconditional love but don't know how to internalize it. These children display unbridled anger and violent behavior.” In an attempt to cope with the lack of love, the Wretch unleashes his frustration by exacting revenge on Frankenstein. Judith Halberstam provides insight into the Wretch's frustration by pointing out, "He educates himself and aspires to become truly human and take his place in life." Society, however, unfortunately, cannot overcome its physical "otherness", the visual deformity which in the eyes of society demonstrates its inferiority and monstrosity". His mental tension is amplified by the fact that he suppresses his image and instead channels his insecurity in the form of hatred towards Frankenstein. This also connects to the Wretch who states himself about Frankenstein: “You are my creator, but I am your master; obey!". To put this statement in perspective, the Wretch holds power over Frankenstein's life and he too can cause suffering without causing any physical harm. “Children have a strong tendency to be abandoners, to hurt others, and to take revenge for all that has been done to them.” As a result, The Wretch's character is enriched; demonstrating his tenacity in fulfilling his desires, his inability to accept that his misery is self-inflicted, his neglect of responsibility for his his actions and intense feelings of revenge. The Wretch's reflection on his purpose reveals his innermost concerns about his identity. This confusion pushes him to question his existence: “Who was I? What was I from?did I come? What was my destination? These questions kept coming up, but I couldn't solve them." The Wretched One looks within himself to find a sense of direction. As he attempts to understand the incomprehensible; the pressure to understand his purpose becomes overwhelming. Through his progression, “He learns the causes of his feeling of pain and pleasure and how to produce the effects he desires” In the midst of his misunderstanding and his feelings of unhappiness he chooses to be mischievous because he concludes that goodness is impossible: “I am mischievous because I am unhappy”. He learns that society's opinions are immutable and understands that he is perceived as a sinner. Halberstam indicates: "Victor thinks that his monster, by virtue of his dirty form, has been made to sin." He realizes that to be part of society he must conform to how he is perceived. The Wretch questions his true nature and ponders whether or not he should embody the image he is portraying. In his clouded uncertainty regarding his conflict with humanity, the wretch surpasses the human goodness he has learned and transforms into the monstrous image he portrays. When the unfortunate creates a mental block to goodness, he dangerously embraces his defects. He says, “If I can't inspire love, I will cause fear!” . As a result, he strives to take control of his situation. He believes that his only way out is to exact malice towards others and expose the vulnerability of others so that his ego is satisfied. He displays his new controlling tendencies when he attempts to kidnap William Frankenstein, assuming an unprejudiced six-year-old, asks, “Boy, you will never see your father again; you must come with me." However, he is rejected by William and takes revenge by rejecting him in turn: “I looked at my victim, and my heart swelled with exultation and infernal triumph: clapping my hands, I exclaimed: 'Anch 'I can create desolation; my enemy is not invulnerable; this death will bring him despair, and a thousand other miseries will torment and destroy him.'" Granot says that children deal with the situation by "ending relationships before they have a chance to mature... this helps preserve their sense of control." From this moment on the Wretched One loses his innocence and separates himself from humanity. With reasoning like: “His goodness and love have clashed with an evil and irrational hatred,” believes that recognition from another human being is unrealistic. A new approach is needed: he will treat others the way they have treated him. He affirms his desire to be human by saying: “ should I feel kindness towards my enemies? No: from that moment I declared eternal war on the species, and, more than anyone, on the one who had formed me, and had sent me into this unbearable misery." He recognizes that he is of a different race and that his affection is not transferable. Stobaugh backs this up by saying, "They in no way return his love" referring to mankind. The unfortunate person accepts himself as the first of a new species and confirms himself as a person deserving of love. The wretch understands what it truly means to be human when he observes the De Lacys through a crack in his shack. He sacrifices himself so that they do not suffer: «I was accustomed... to steal part of their provisions... for my own consumption; but when I realized I had inflicted pain on the farmers I abstained." Although he is hungry and has the power to easily kill them and steal their food, he shows them empathy. Mellor states: “The creature learns from sensations and examples; what he learns is determined by his environment.” Through observation he feels what others feel and wants to help their cause. Through observation he captures the traits.