What Frankenstein's Monster Taught Me by Miles

Miles's entry into Varsity Tutor's October 2025 scholarship contest

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What Frankenstein's Monster Taught Me by Miles - October 2025 Scholarship Essay

When most people think of Frankenstein, they picture the classic movie version: a green-skinned monster with bolts in his neck. But in Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein, the creature is far more than a horror icon. He begins as an innocent being who simply wants love and acceptance, but after rejection and neglect, he becomes bitter and vengeful. Reading his story left me with one of the most important lessons I’ve ever learned: how we treat others, especially those who seem different, can determine whether they thrive or fall apart.

At the start, the creature is almost childlike. He is new to the world, eager to learn, and desperate for connection. But Victor Frankenstein, the scientist who created him, abandons him immediately, horrified by his appearance. That single moment of rejection sets the stage for everything that follows. To me, it was a powerful reminder that responsibility doesn’t end when things get hard or uncomfortable. Walking away from our obligations only makes problems worse. Victor’s mistake showed me how important it is to face responsibility head-on, whether that means supporting a friend, following through on commitments, or owning up to the consequences of my choices.

What stood out even more was the creature’s deep longing to belong. He spends months watching the De Lacey family, learning language and kindness by observing them. He dreams of being accepted, of finally having a place in the world. But when he reveals himself, hoping to be welcomed, he is instead attacked and cast out. That scene struck me because it revealed how powerful both compassion and rejection can be. A single act of kindness could have changed his life, but rejection pushed him toward anger and despair.

This taught me a lesson I try to carry into my own life: never underestimate the impact of small acts of empathy. Something as simple as sitting with someone who feels left out at lunch or encouraging a classmate during a group project might seem minor, but it could mean everything to the person on the receiving end. Shelley’s novel made me realize that kindness isn’t optional; it is essential.

The creature also taught me how harmful it is to judge others based only on appearances. Everyone saw him as terrifying because of the way he looked, but inside he was thoughtful, curious, and full of emotion. His story reminded me that people are more than what we see on the surface. In high school, it can be easy to form quick opinions about others, but this novel pushed me to look beyond first impressions and recognize the humanity in everyone.

Finally, by the end of the story, when the creature mourns over Victor’s death, we see the truth: he never wanted to be a monster. He wanted love, but rejection turned him into something he never intended to be. That moment taught me that empathy is powerful even in situations where it feels undeserved. Choosing compassion doesn’t just help others, it also prevents us from becoming indifferent or cruel ourselves.

From Frankenstein’s monster, I learned that the true danger lies not in someone’s appearance but in the absence of compassion. His story made me realize that empathy, responsibility, and kindness are not abstract ideas; they are choices that shape lives every day. This lesson is one I plan to carry with me into college and beyond. Whether I’m working with classmates, building relationships in my community, or pursuing a career, I want to remember the importance of treating people with dignity and humanity.

Mary Shelley’s creature may be fictional, but the lesson he taught me is real: everyone deserves compassion, and when we withhold it, we risk creating the very monsters we fear.

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