In the books Frankenstein by Mary Shelley and Grendel by John Gardner the creature are both similar and different in many ways. They are similar in that they both want to find love and are both not accepted by society. However, they have different backgrounds because Grendel grew up with the care from his mother while the creature grew up without care from his creator. By comparing these works side-by-side it is clear that a true monster is created by mistreatment during the early years of their development.
The creature and Grendel both want to find love for the same reason. Neither of them feel like anyone cares for them or wants them. This feeling of loneliness makes them both long for companionship. In Grendel, he imagines meeting with …show more content…
Grendel was loved by his mother but was unable to communicate with her while the creature was unloved by his creator but were able to communicate with each other. In Grendel, he is supported and loved by his mother but feels alone because he is unable to communicate with her due to the fact that she is mute. Grendel explains, “childhood too feels good at first, before one happens to notice the terrible sameness, age after age” (Gardner 9). In this quote Grendel explains that when are children are young, they are naive and everything is great until you get older are see the world for what it is. Grendel had to go through these hardships without being able to confide in anyone and without getting advice and guidance. But without the support of his mom he would be even more dangerous and erratic, and most likely would have turned out worse. This shows that parental support at young age is necessary for the growth and development of a child. This support and love is something Frankenstein's creature never had. Although the creature was able to communicate with his creator, he was still neglected by him. The creature read Frankenstein's journal and responded negatively, “[A]ccursed creator! why did you form a monster so hideous that even you turned from he in disgust?” (Shelley 109). In this quote the creature is feeling betrayed and abandoned because he just