Frankenstein Empathy Essay

As a student, Victor Frankenstein’s interests were deeply rooted in science, chemistry and the balance between life and death. While attending university, Frankenstein became obsessed with the idea of restoring life to the deceased. Victor believed that he was doing mankind a favour but it can be argued that he was motivated by a God complex. However, once Victor had succeeded in creating life by animating his “monster”, he abandoned his creation out of fear, leaving it to die. After seeing the way that Victor Frankenstein reacts to his own creation and reading the creature’s point of view, should we feel empathy for the so called abomination?
In the monster’s narration, he explains how he felt when he discovered that his creator was horrified by his existence. He was overwhelmed by sadness at the realization of his position in the world. The misfortune of his existence was that he felt human on the inside, with emotions, dreams and need for affection; however, his hideous appearance spread fear to all with whom he came into contact, dooming him

to a life of loneliness. This frustration causes the creation to become enraged and murderous. These emotions are highlighted in the passage that reads: "Cursed, cursed creator! Why did I live? Why, in that instant, did I not extinguish the spark of existence which you had so wantonly bestowed? I know not; despair had not yet taken possession of me; my feelings were those of rage and revenge. I could with pleasure have destroyed the cottage and its inhabitants and have glutted myself with their shrieks and misery." (16.1)
In the novel, Frankenstein’s monster becomes malevolent, which results in the dire consequence of him killing a small child who is simply the brother of Victor Frankenstein -- an innocent who has no idea what his older brother has done to this poor creature.

Although, the monster would not have lived if it were not for Victor, it is Victor’s folly in creating and then abandoning the creation that led him to be homicidal. The creation longs for his creator to love him, or at least to show some affection or acceptance of his existence. Victor’s complete rejection of his creation is so hurtful, that the monster swears, “I will revenge my injuries; if I cannot inspire love, I will cause fear, and chiefly towards you my archenemy, because my creator, do I swear inextinguishable hatred. Have a care; I will work at your destruction, nor finish until I desolate your heart, so that you shall curse the hour of your birth."

(17.5)
There are ongoing discussions centered on whom within Shelley’s novel, Frankenstein, is the true monster. All would agree that both Victor and his creation have done wrong. However, if it weren’t for Victor then not only would the monster that committed so many heinous crimes not have existed , but had he not abandoned his creation, then the monster may have been a loving and affectionate man with only the outward appearance of a monster. These are the questions Shelley leaves her readers to ponder along with the lesson that actions, no matter how well-intentioned, may have unforeseen consequences.