Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

Edward Field's poem "The Return of Frankenstein" reimagines the fate of Mary Shelley's iconic monster, offering a compelling exploration of revenge, transformation, and the nature of humanity. Through vivid imagery and poignant reflections, Field's poem delves into the psychological and emotional transformation of Frankenstein's creature as he returns to exact vengeance on a society that rejected him.

The poem begins with a direct reference to the climax of Mary Shelley's novel, where the monster is believed to have perished in a whirlpool: "He didn't die in the whirlpool by the mill / where he had fallen in after a wild chase / by all the people of the town." Instead, the monster survives by clinging to an "overhanging rock / until the villagers went away."

This near-death experience marks a turning point for the creature, who emerges from the whirlpool "changed forever." His "soft heart" hardens, transforming him into a true "monster" driven by hatred. He becomes determined to exact revenge on the villagers who tried to kill him: "He was out to pay them back, / to throw the lie of brotherly love / in their white Christian teeth."

The poem touches on the irony of the monster's human origins: "Wasn't his flesh human flesh / even made from the bodies of criminals, / the worst the Baron could find?" Despite his human flesh, the monster learns that "love is not necessarily implicit in human flesh." The hatred he experienced from humans has now become his own hatred, compelling him to seek vengeance.

The poem traces the monster's transformation from a "victim, / the good man who suffers" to a "hunter" who is now "in charge of his destiny / and knew how to be cold and clever." The monster retains "barely a spark of memory / for the old blind musician / who once took him in and offered brotherhood," a reference to the compassionate blind man from Shelley's novel.

Despite this faint memory of kindness, the monster's new mission is to "kill them all," or at least keep the villagers "in terror" so that "they would look at others / with a little pity and love." He believes that only by inflicting suffering on them will they develop virtue, leading to the final line: "Only a suffering people have any virtue."

Themes and Interpretation:

1. Revenge and Transformation: The poem explores the monster's transformation from a victim to a hunter driven by revenge. His hatred is a direct result of the rejection and violence he experienced from humans.

2. Hypocrisy and Brotherly Love: The monster seeks to "throw the lie of brotherly love / in their white Christian teeth." He recognizes the hypocrisy of a society that preaches love but practices hatred.

3. Humanity and Compassion: Despite his monstrous appearance and violent intentions, the monster retains a "spark of memory" for the blind man who offered him brotherhood. This memory underscores the complexity of his character and the potential for compassion.

4. Virtue and Suffering: The poem suggests that virtue is linked to suffering: "Only a suffering people have any virtue." This idea reflects the monster's belief that only by experiencing terror will humans develop empathy for others.

Structure and Tone:

The poem is written in free verse, allowing Field to adopt a narrative tone that mirrors a story being told. The language is straightforward yet evocative, capturing the psychological and emotional transformation of the monster. The tone is reflective, with a touch of irony and bitterness.

Conclusion:

"The Return of Frankenstein" by Edward Field offers a compelling exploration of revenge, transformation, and the nature of humanity. Through vivid imagery and poignant reflections, Field reimagines the fate of Frankenstein's monster as he returns to seek vengeance on a society that rejected him. The poem invites readers to reflect on the complexities of hatred and compassion, and the role of suffering in shaping human virtue.

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