Frankenstein

3 Pages 792 Words

At first glance, the monster in Mary Shelley’s novel, Frankenstein, is the real villain. However, if you take another look you will see that Victor Frankenstein, the scientist who created the monster, is just as guilty. Victor’s obsession with interfering with life and death results in the destruction of several people he cares about. Although the monster is the actual killer, Victor is the accomplice. On many occasions Victor abandons his creature , leaving him helpless and all alone. By doing this Victor ignites the rage within the monster, and soon the monster begins to seek revenge. Because Victor Frankenstein creates this monster, he is a part of the tragedy the monster causes. Throughout the story Victor becomes just as much a villain as the monster he created.
Victor’s heartless abandonment of the creature was catastrophic. When Frankenstein first created the monster he thought it would be glorious, but when reality set in he noticed that the experiment might have crossed the line. His feelings toward the creature at “birth” were clear; “now that I finished, the beauty of the dream vanished, and breathless horror and disgust filled my heart” (42) Victor then flees only to return when the creature vanishes. This is the beginning of the change the monster makes from innocent creature to vicious monster.
Many would assume that this monster was evil from the very start, but even he recognizes that this was not true. “I was benevolent and good; misery made me a fiend” (84). Regardless, Victor’s cold attitude continues as he yells to the monster to “Begone! I will not hear you. There can be no community between you and me; we are enemies.” (84). After this the creature begins to feel great hatred towards Victor. He has been ostracized from what he so badly wants to be a part of. He is devastated and enraged that his creator does not even accept him. “Hateful day when I received life! Why did...