I also have a more general question that kind of pertains to this idea. In today's society, where we are exposed to so many different experiences, cultures, and lifestyles, do you think that we would be as appalled by such an instance as the one described above?
Wednesday, January 25, 2012
How Would You React?
As I was reading the assignment for tomorrow, I found myself thinking about how I would react to a situation similar to the De Lacey family's situation. If you were to be placed in a situation where you have some sort of out of the ordinary being (whether it be human or not) knocking at your front door, how would you react? Would you act as violently as Felix? I like to think that I would not have been as rash. I find myself trying to understand a person before I pass judgement on them.
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Gandalf, I am not entirely sure how I would react since I generally do not answer unsolicited knocks at my door. However, if I was at a friend's party and an out-of-the-ordinary guest arrived, I would show him the same amount of respect that I would show to the other guests.
As for the reactions of other people of this time, their reactions would likely vary from person to person. Some people might not be shocked or horrified like the De Lacey family was, but others might react as violently or even more violently than Felix did. With access to the internet so widespread, group polarization has the potential to become more extreme than it was in past ages.
I would probably open one of my doors to ask what the matter is, but I don't think I would want to open up my home to some out of the ordinary being. I think I would try to help the being if need be, but I doubt I would put myself in a possibly dangerous situation by fully welcoming the being into my house.
As to answering the second question, I believe it varies from culture to culture. Some cultures would find the reaction of the De Lacey family quite appropriate, while others would probably be appalled and would welcome the being into their community. I also agree with Selkie in that it can also depend on the individual person since one person could be awed by the being while another in that same culture is horrified.
I am not quite certain what I would do. I would certainly hope that I would be a kind and courteous host to the stranger, but it is hard not to be wary of strangers who come to the door. There has also been a rise in recent home invasions which have happened around Albuquerque which should probably be factored into the equation. Although I would like to think that I would be generous to my guest, I think I would probably flee from Frankenstein's Creature if I saw him at my door.
To the second part of the question, I still think many people from today's society would be appalled by such a creature. It is human nature to flee from what we do not fully understand.
It's crazy to think of the way we percieve life as compared to during this time period. I, myself, was thinking how weird it is that we percieve beauty as something and ugliness as something. Just like you Gandalf I would hope I would be more sympathetic and loving towards anyone and anything. This creation of Frankensteins didn't give this family a reason to think that it was going to hurt them and that's where I start to feel sympathetic for the creature. I think in our society today he still might be discriminated against but I feel he would get a little more acceptance. There are so many different type of people in the world these days and so much different phenomenon that is looked upon as being okay that I feel the creature would have found somewhere to feel welcome.
I agree with King Arthur and Puck. Regardless of who was at the door, I would have tried to help them but I probably would not let them into my home until I learned more about them. I definitely would not completely flipped out the way Felix did. As for the rest of society, I agree that it does depend on the culture of the people in an area, but I also believe that the large majority of society is fairly selfish. People who live in the country and away from the metropolitan areas, much like the De Laceys, are more than likely going to help almost anyone in need (that is assuming the person knocking on their door isn't some known international criminal). Much like what puck said, people are afraid of what they don't understand. People always stare at someone who is different or even casts them out. This is a trend that we have followed for thousands of years.
Felix definitely shot first and asked questions later but I can't completely disagree with his actions. He didn't seem to act soley out of prejudice, as he really was the only man capable of defending the family, and who wouldn't be frightened by the sight of a monster in your house?? But this situation certainly did pose as a great opportunity for him to demonstrate his masculinity to Safie(?).
I like to think that I would have been kinder and more hospitable than Felix, but as much as I hate to admit it, I think I would've reacted one of two ways: 1) Taken one look at the thing in the house and run out faster than anyone else, or 2) Try and kill the monster, no questions asked. Now if instead of some monster a human person were there and I did not expect them, of course I would ask questions and inquire who they are and why they are there before doing anything else. And of course I would be more cautious, but treat them with respect as an equal.
I honestly think I would have done the same thing Felix did. When Felix entered, the creature had grabbed the fathers hand.
The exact quote being, "I had not a moment to lose; but, seizing the hand of the old man..."
Walking in at this moment would have been scary for anyone. Combine this with my "family first" and "better save than sorry" thought path, I definitely see myself jumping into action.
If the father and creature had both been sitting and calming chatting still, I think my curiosity would have kicked in before fear/hostility would have.
I believe that after separating my family from the creature, I would have given the creature a chance to explain himself. Looks don’t contribute towards being a monster at all. The creature being in my house without my permission would make me suspicious enough to protect my family before anything else.
I had a similar event happen to me when I was a kid. One of my first memories is sitting in front of the television when there was a knock at the door. When my mom answered the door, behind was a man whose face was shredded and still had a lot of glass sticking out of his wounds. My mom instantly told me to go to my room but instead, I hid in the kitchen and listened. The man calmly told our mom that he was in a car crash a few houses down from ours and that he would like to borrow our phone.
If our dad had walked in at that moment, he wouldn’t believe that this man was a monster. Even with no cars back in the 1700s, some jobs where a lot more dangerous than they are now.
I find this aspect of the story very intriguing. I would like to say that I would act with compassion and judge the creature based on his character and actions rather than his horrid appearance, but I cannot honestly say that I would be able to accomplish this feat. As humans, we are raised with outlooks and world views and it is often difficult to suspend these reactions. I did, however, find myself wishing that the elder De Lacey would have been given more time to adjust and acquaint himself with the creature. This could have been an enormous turning point in the creature's existence, but instead simply proved his mistreatment at the hands of humanity.
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