Is Dr. Frankenstein's Heroism?

Dr. Frankenstein’s Heroism?

(A discussion of whether Dr. Frankenstein is a hero or not)

Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein or The Modern Prometheus is mainly centered around that of two characters. Dr. Victor Frankenstein and that of his science experiment, the monster. Throughout the telling of the story, Dr. Frankenstein’s invention (the monster) is ridiculed and rejected from society. The monster time and time again is rejected by society and the people. Each time gaining more and anger and hatred toward the human race, until finally he snaps and that's where the novel begins its climax. But the real story is centered around that of Dr. Frankenstein. Is the Dr. seen as a hero in the novel? Facts such as, the murder of almost his entire family,

Dr. Frankenstein himself, the creator this monster, disapproved and rejected it as soon as he gave it life. In the beginning of chapter 5, Frankenstein is just finishing his “creation”. After giving it life, the monster, rises with life, sending the Dr. fleeing for his life. After being terrified again while waking the next morning, Frankenstein flees the house and leaves his creation to fend for itself, hoping to forget about what he created. A reasonable amount of time passes, and throughout this time, the monster is terrorising the countryside. Endangering the public and even murdering a few civilians, but that will be expanded in the next passage. But the worst part is that Frankenstein, knowing what his creation can and is doing to people, will not take responsibility and care for the matter. But he pays for his ignorance and his carelessness when the monster turns on frankenstein’s

The Dr.’s so called, “heroism” is yet to be shown and won’t ever be shown. Flashing back to when the Dr. carries out the finishing touches and gives the creature life, the monster ends up infuriated at the Dr. and ends up finding Victor’s younger brother William and in his enragement strangles the little boy. But it doesn’t end with just William, the monster then frames the murder on a young girl that was adopted into the Frankenstein family when Victor was young. She is later accused and is hung. Once again the death toll continues, but the last two are the hardest for that of Victor Frankenstein. Henry Clerval is Victor’s life long friend and fellow scientist. Henry is killed by the monster but is found face first on a beach. "He had apparently been strangled, for there was no sign of any violence except the black mark of fingers on his neck."(pg. 146). Victor once again falls Ill because of the death of another family member. Soon after the death of his best friend, victor chooses to finally mary Elizabeth his lifelong “mate” but not wife up to this point. The Dr. knows that the monster is gonna be there on his wedding night and is on edge. But not quite enough. Elizabeth is strangled to death while in bed. Once again Dr. Frankenstein is not showing his “heroism”. Almost his entire family is gone! But in the end, his creation takes more than he