Frankenstein and His Terrible ChoicesEmotion is a sharp, double-sided blade. He has the capacity to do good or evil. Humans are known to start wars out of malice or anger. They can also be very delicate and emotionally fragile. Therefore, in Mary Shelley's Frankenstein, the lack of companionship and love can lead to malicious behavior. Everyone needs love or support to thrive. In the book Frankenstein by Mary Shelley, the creature created by Frankenstein is extremely solitary and states: If anyone felt emotions of benevolence towards me, I should return them a hundredfold; for the love of this creature, I would make peace with the whole species... I demand a creature of another sex, but as hideous as me... O creator, make me happy... Make -see myself that I excite the sympathy of something existing... (Shelley 148) This is linked to a certain sense that many take for granted, the sense of touch. The creature has been living alone for at least a year with De Lacey's family as its only pseudo company. However, he never really comes into contact with them, which means he is deprived of an important aspect of feeling love and comfort: the sense of touch. Research by Darlene Francis and Michael Meaney showed that rats cared for by their mothers as children were calmer and had stronger immune systems as they grew up (Keltner). Humans have pressure receptors called Pacinian corpuscles (Trudeau) under the skin. When pressure receptors are stimulated, they send signals to the vagus nerve, which is responsible for lowering blood pressure and slowing the heart rate (Trudeau). The vagus nerve then releases oxytocin (Trudeau). Oxytocin is defined by the Merriam-Webster Dictionary...... middle of paper ......Facts On File, 1818. Web. March 24, 2014. .Shelley, Mary. Frankenstein. Np: Tom Doherty Associates, 1988. Print. Szalavitz, Maia. “The Measure of a Mother's Love: How Early Neglect Derails Child Development.” " Time. Time, May 24, 2012. Web. March 30, 2014. .Trudeau, Michelle. “Human relationships begin with a friendly touch.” NPR: National Public Radio. NPR, September 20, 2010. Web. March 24. 2014. .