Frankenstein

Antagonists and Protagonists, in most literature distinguish themselves clearly. But not in Mary Shelly's book Frankenstein. Selfishness, the desire to be loved and accepted and the constant, all consuming search for happiness make it difficult to set apart who is the better person in this incredibly complex horror story. Dr. Frankenstein and the monster he created both do maleficent things, but are the characters themselves inherently evil? Mary Shelly's Frankenstein is a thought provoking, complex story of a scientist who finds the means to create life, and as a result monster is set loose upon the world. Selfishness drives both characters to seek revenge as a means of trying to achieve happiness and acceptance.

“Had I right, for my own benefit, to inflict this curse upon everlasting generations? I had before been moved by the sophisms of the being I had created; I had been struck senseless by his fiendish threats; but now, for the first time, the wickedness of my promise burst upon me; I shuddered to think that future ages might curse me as their pest, whose selfishness had not hesitated to buy its own peace at the price, perhaps, of the existence of the whole human race.” thus reflects Dr. Frankenstein on his own selfishness. Selfishness can be traced back to the root of every disaster that occurs in this book. Both Frankenstein and the monster struggle exceedingly with selfishness. It shines through in every decision they make. When Frankenstein creates the monster in the first place, his motives are fundamentally selfish. His desire for power and success causes two years to be spent in construction of the very creature who would eventually destroy every aspect of his life. When the monster threatens to kill every person t...

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...in are incredibly selfish, deeply desire to be loved, and ultimately just want to be happy. All three of which stem directly from the former most. The story of Frankenstein is centered in both characters being only concerned with their own personal happiness. The selfishness in this book is one that the human race is all to familiar with. Everyone desires to be accepted and loved, the thought of being alone and exiled in the world is for most unbearable. Everyone wants happiness and will usually do everything possible to achieve it. Throughout the story, readers find themselves empathizing with both characters at different points. Dr. Frankenstein and the monster take turns with being either the Antagonist or the Protagonist. It is difficult to distinguish who is overall the “good guy”. Both characters do bad things, yes, but the motives behind them are the same.