In the book "Frankenstein," author, Mary Shelley, explores what it means to be human, by highlighting the idea that humans are naturally created as opposed to artificially created. They have a general physical (external) appearance, similar genetic traits, emotions, and thoughts to that of a standard human being. Frankenstein contains many instances where the wretch acts in humanly ways, and examples where humans act in ways that are not human. Victor exemplifies many of these most common human characteristics that help society decide whether or not one is human. Humans ache to establish relationships with other humans, as it allows us to share our internal thoughts with one another. Victors creation, or the wretch, strives to create these close relationships, but is dehumanized and shunned by the rest of society from doing so, due to its physical deformity. Throughout Frankenstein, it is evident that Victor exemplifies many human characteristics (mortality, intelligence, and emotional capacity). He is able to form a creature that no one prevents him from doing. He does this out of his own self-satisfaction and uses his own knowledge and imagination to discover the kind of human being that he itches to bring to life. He feels that if he creates this being, he will be honored and respected by society as being the only one thus far to have formed such a creation (dignity). The wretch does have some similar qualities to that of a human, such as its emotional/internal thoughts, but Victor realizes that because of the wretched physical appearance, it is not a definite human being. wretches physical deformity prevents him from forming relationships--society dehumanizes the wretch cuz he cant form relationships-can't have companion by shining him. Thesis Therefore, being human requires that one is naturally created, has physical appearance, similar genetic traits (rich natural history), emotions, and thoughts/intelligence to that society has perceived to be a human. Those who do not have the same general appearance as a human, but possess most to all internal characteristics are considered human-like, but will never be classified as being full human. Therefore, actions, not appearance, reveal if one is truly a monster, and Victor Frankenstein's selfishness, lack of compassion and responsibility definitely place him in that category. Also, throughout the novel, society, which is supposed to be good, acts inhumanly by wrongly treating the monster on the assumption that he actually is a monster. They scorn, attack, and shun the monster just because of his outward appearance. Even from the beginning of Frankenstein, we are able to point out that Victor is indeed human, through his internal and external traits. Victor is eager to create a companion, which he ultimately hopes, will become a human being. He imagines the being to be beautiful, containing all the proper characteristics of a normal human. No one can conceive the variety of feelings which bore me onwards, like a hurricane, in the first enthusiasm of success (80). At this point, Victor obsessed knowing that his creation will be unlike anything that anyone has ever created. As Victor is in the process of creating animation upon lifeless matter, it is apparent that her is acting less like a human being (79). By creating this creature, Victor pushes his human limitations and attempts to act like God. Victor states, I wished, as it were, to procrastinate all that related to my feelings of affection until the great object, which swallowed up every habit of my nature, should be completed (82). Once Victor begins working on his experiment, he starts to focus solely on his creation, thus forgetting about, and distancing himself from his loved ones who care about him. Once Victor instills life into his creation, he realizes that the creature, or wretch, does not have the beautiful c