The Monster of Circumstances Imagine two sisters living in the same family: both grew up with the same parents, in the same place and in the same conditions. Unfortunately for the sisters, their family developed a pattern: the problems of the previous generation were passed down to the next generation, creating a legacy of substance abuse, an unstable home environment, suicide, and mental illness. In this context, the sisters must react to the problems they witness around them on a daily basis, because their parents and other family members are unable to protect the girls from the fallout of their emotional instability. One of the sisters manages to escape the pattern of her ancestors and thrives despite the challenges she faces in family life. The other sister, however, is not so lucky and develops severe anxiety, depression and suicidal tendencies. Eventually, the first sister finds success in her career and family life, giving birth to two children. The second sister commits suicide. Why was one able to do what the other couldn't? Why do we, victims of an unpredictable universe, respond so differently to forces of external influence? This question is explored in Mary Shelley's Frankenstein, the story of a creature transformed into a monster. Frankenstein's monster experiences years of life over the course of a few pages, experiencing curiosity, knowledge, friendship, loneliness, anger, and pain along the way. The story of his transformation from benevolent and trusting to tired and angry appears repeatedly in the human world, as we struggle to overcome the various forces working against us, some of which have been in play since before we were born. Many people, like one of the sisters we talked about earlier, are unable to… middle of paper… monster, not rise above, and their end is miserable and often undeserved. Still others continue to try every day to overcome a mental illness, understand their anxiety, or overcome a traumatic event, all in the hope that the next day will be better. There is no solution, and I don't think there ever will be, but there will always be people who need help, and it is our responsibility to give them the support and understanding that beings like Frankenstein's monster never received. Works Cited Casey, Nell. “Surviving Hemingway.” City & Country September 2011: 1-7. Press. Mayo clinic staff. "Cognitive Behavioral Therapy". Mayo Clinic. Mayo Clinic and Web. February 20, 2014. cognitive-behavioral therapy/basics/definition/prc-20013594>. Shelley, Mary. Frankenstein. New York: Penguin Classics, 2003. Print.