Accursed creator! Why did you form a monster so hideous that even you turned from me in disgust?
Interpretation
The quote expresses the feelings of rejection and abandonment experienced by a creation perceived as a monster.
In this poignant quote from Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley's 'Frankenstein', the creature confronts its creator, lamenting the horror of its existence and the resultant alienation. It encapsulates themes of identity, acceptance, and the moral responsibilities of creators towards their creations, highlighting the consequences of forsaking oneβs responsibilities and the anguish of isolation felt by those deemed monstrous or different.
In practice
In a discussion about the consequences of ignoring ethical responsibilities in science, this quote could highlight the impact of creation without accountability.
Invention, it must be humbly admitted, does not consist in creating out of a void, but out of chaos; the materials must in the first place be afforded; it can give form to dark, shapeless substances, but cannot bring into being the substance itself.
The instructor can scarcely give sensibility where it is essentially wanting, nor talent to the unpercipient block. But he can cultivate and direct the affections of the pupil, who puts forth, as a parasite, tendrils by which to cling, not knowing to what - to a supporter or a destroyer.
What terrified me will terrify others; and I need only describe the spectre which had haunted my midnight pillow.
I shall commit my thoughts to paper, it is true; but that is a poor medium for the communication of feeling. I desire the company of a man who could sympathize with me, whose eyes would reply to mine.
Heavy misfortunes have befallen us, but let us only cling closer to what remains, and transfer our love for those whom we have lost to those who yet live. Our circle will be small, but bound close by the ties of affection and mutual misfortune. And when time shall have softened your despair, new and dear objects of care will be born to replace those of whom we have been so cruelly deprived.
Hateful day when I received life!' I exclaimed in agony. 'Accursed creator! Why did you form a monster so hideous that even you turned from me in disgust? God, in pity, made man beautiful and alluring, after his own image; but my form is a filthy type of yours, more horrid even from the very resemlance. Satan had his companions, fellow-devils, to admire and encourage him; but I am solitary and abhorred.' - Frankenstein
Imagine a civilisation that's way in advance of us wants to communicate with us, and assist us in our development. The information we provide to them must reflect our highest aspirations and ideals, and not just be some crazy person's bizarre politics or religion.
In economic life and history more generally, just about everything of consequence comes from black swans; ordinary events have paltry effects in the long term.
God's people are not to accumulate stuff for tomorrow but to share indiscriminately with the scandalous and holy confidence that God will provide for tomorrow. Then we need not stockpile stuff in barns or a 401(k), especially when there is someone in need.
The human heart is not unchanging (nay, changes almost out of recognition in the twinkling of an eye).
The tragic reality of today is reflected in the true plight of our spiritual existence. We are spineless and cannot stand straight.
A lot of jobs don't allow you to be who you are. There is dignity in work only when it is work freely accepted.
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