Examples Of External Conflicts In Frankenstein

Frankenstein contains a few major external and internal conflicts. They are quite essential to the story and help drive the plot. They occur to both Victor Frankenstein and the monster he created. These conflicts can be classified as man versus self, man versus man, and man versus nature.

Victor Frankenstein is an intelligent man that is very interested in the sciences. He has a loving family and great home in Geneva, but that is just not enough for him. He is so intrigued by the idea of creating life that he “obsesses about it without thinking about consequences” (Ossa). This interest and curiosity causes him to leave home and go to the university in Ingolstadt. He considers this his priority and puts it in front of his own family. He neglects

He is hated by his own creator. Not only that, but other people who see him in public curse at him and run away after seeing his gruesome appearance. He is punished for doing absolutely nothing wrong. The Creature “realizes that no matter how he acts, people will always hate him because he looks like a monster” (“Frankenstein, the Modern Prometheus”). One day, the monster sees a little girl drowning and chooses to rescue her. The man who witnesses this heroic act takes it the wrong way. He thinks the Creature is trying to kill the little girl and therefore curses and beats on him. This makes the Creature feel very sad and like an outcast. All he really wants is love and affection. This can be seen when he stumbles upon a family in a cottage. He steals their food at first but then feels guilty because he discovers “the causes of the uneasiness of this amiable family” (Shelley 99). He realizes they are poor. After spying on them for a little bit, he starts to look after them. At night while they are sleeping, he gathers firewood for them. The family is extremely grateful for what the monster does though they have no clue who is responsible for it. This family gives the monster hope. He learns what a family is and how great they are. He watches them from a distance and learns how to read and speak. They are nice, friendly, and love each other. He believes they may be able to look past his

The Creature blames Victor for everything. It is his fault he is so ugly and horrendous. The monster goes out of his way to kill people that Victor loves in order to get revenge. The first victim of the creature’s aggressive acts is Victor’s youngest brother William. He strangles him with his bare hands after discovering that he is related to his creator. He even goes so far as to frame Justine, a close friend of Victor’s family. He takes the locket the boy was wearing and places it in Justine’s pocket. This results in her being executed for being proven guilty of murdering William. Victor is overwhelmed with grief. He knows the monster is responsible. Throughout the book, Victor is constantly faced with hardships regarding the monster he created. One day, Victor travels to the top of Montanvert. He believes the beauty of the mountain will bring him peace and happiness. While on this journey, the monster approaches him and asks for him to come inside a cave where they can talk. Victor is apprehensive to listen to what the monster has to say and tells him to go away. The Creature convinces him to listen to his story. He comes clean and admits to murdering William and framing Justine. He explains his encounter with the family in the cottage and his longing for love. He proposes that Victor makes another female creature for him to love and run away with. He promises to