Analysis Of Victor Frankenstein

The novel Frankenstein by Mary Shelley was incredibly fascinating to read as it explored the relationship between the creator Victor Frankenstein and his creature, concepts of guilt and innocence, and of self-awareness. While reading, the audience is able to question whether they should sympathize with Victor Frankenstein, who agonized over self-inflicted guilt, the loss of his family members and friends and acted cruelly to his creation, over the monster that despite all his good intentions was universally hated by everyone he came across and ended up wrongfully taking the life of innocent people. By the end of the novel however, the reader is left with the strong impression that the true victim of the novel, despite his murderous inclinations,

The readers were allowed to remain separate from Victor’s perspective as they started off the novel with an outsider who is also entirely unbiased. By introducing the novel with Robert’s letters, the reader is freed immediately aligning with Victor’s ideas and aspirations, and is given the opportunity to see the contrast between two men with ambitions and how they handled themselves. Robert is equally ambitious as Victor, however he does not submit to the point of obsession and is aware of the danger that his desires pose to himself and the crew. Robert’s mature handling of his ambitions appears healthier and leads Victor to seem more estranged and crazed to the reader. This contributes to developing a favorable impression on the reader towards the monster as being the true victim as he lacked the true education and upbringing that was provided for Victor and Roberts. Victor Frankenstein was raised in a loving environment and was encouraged to seek out knowledge and happiness, whereas the monster was denied these basic rights from the moment of his conception. Despite the fact that Robert curses the monster in the end for his past murders and driving his newfound friend to his grave, he still displays caring and compassion for the other crew members when he puts little resistance to turning back the ship despite not caring for them

His famished appearance and his tales of woes entice the reader to believe that he is the person who has suffered the most agony in his tale and that his quest for revenge is just. However, this first impression is entirely juxtaposed by the presence of the monster, which from the moment of his birth is detailed as hideous and villainous, yet displays emotions of longing for love and care from others. The monster’s views of the world are entirely shaped by the initial rejection that his creator gave him, leaving him without even the ability to communicate with others or understand what he is. The creature is forced to scavenge for food and learn from afar what it means to be alive, how to speak and communicate with others. His murderous actions would have been prevented had someone cared enough to give him the benefit of the doubt. This responsibility falls immediately to his creator, who was the person who brought him to life as a whim, and his failings as a compassionate human being are what ultimately doom the monster to a life of hatred. Worse, Victor has also cursed the monster to a solitary life with his refusal to create a companion after giving him initial hope of finally being able to be with someone who would accept him. The monster is left without a choice but to accept that there would never be another being that