The Monster’s early memories, as described in Mary Shelley’s “Frankenstein,” are a complex and turbulent jumble of sensory and emotional experiences. He struggles with the overpowering feelings all around him as he comes to. “A strange multiplicity of sensations seized me, and I saw, felt, heard, and smelt at the same time” (Chapter 5) is how he puts his first experiences into words. The sounds of nature, like birds chirping and water running, overwhelm and bewilder the Monster as soon as he is subjected to a plethora of sensory input, including the intense light of a candle that stings his sensitive eyes.

The Monster’s initial emotional recollection is one of rejection and terror. When Victor Frankenstein sees his creation, he reacts in horror and disgust, saying, “I had worked hard for nearly two years, for the sole purpose of infusing life into an inanimate body… the beauty of the dream vanished, and breathless horror and disgust filled my heart” (Chapter 5). Repulsion is Victor’s first reaction, and he quickly leaves the room, leaving the Monster alone himself. The Monster experiences a terrible and defining rejection from his creator, which sets the stage for his later problems with loneliness and hopelessness.

The Monster experiences pain and discomfort on a physical level as well. He talks about how trying to move causes his muscles to spasm and his limbs to tremble. He says, “I woke up and saw a bright figure emerge from the trees… My teeth chattered, a chilly dew covered my brow, and convulsions spread throughout my entire body (Chapter 5). These bodily experiences are a part of the painful and confusing process of becoming a living being.

The Monster has an early and emotional need for connection and camaraderie despite the fear and rejection he faces. He extends his hand to Victor, demonstrating his desire to form a connection with his creator. He expresses this emotion by stating, “I felt the greatest ardour for virtue rise within me, and abhorrence for vice, as far as I understood the signification of those terms, relative as they were, as I applied them, to pleasure and pain alone” (Chapter fifteen). The Monster’s early attempts to establish a relationship highlight how incredibly alone and alone he feels while he struggles with his own life.

The Monster’s memories in these first few hours after creation are characterised by intense sensory experiences, rejection trauma, physical discomfort, and a strong need for human connection. These recollections provide context for the intricate and sorrowful story of “Frankenstein.”