Is Victor A Hero In Frankenstein

The novel Frankenstein, by Mary Shelley, tells the story of Victor Frankenstein and the tragedies ultimately caused by the creation of his monster. Throughout the story, Frankenstein acts as an instrument of the suffering of others. Critic Northrop Frye had said, “Tragic heroes are so much the highest points in their human landscapes that they seem the inevitable conductors of the power about them, great trees more likely to be struck by lightning than a clump of grass. Conductors may of course be instruments as well as victims of the divisive lightning.” The character of Victor Frankenstein is a perfect example of how this statement is very true. Victor was the cause of the suffering brought to himself, his family and friends, and his creation.

Beginning with his childhood schooling and continuing into his adulthood, Victor had an extreme desire to learn.

Victor attended a university to study the different branches of natural science. After years of studying, he ultimately decided to attempt the impossible, to create life from inanimate flesh. Victor explained, “Life and death appeared to me ideal bounds, which I should first break through, and pour a torrent of light into our dark world. A new species would bless me as its creator and source; many happy and excellent natures would owe their beings to me.” The fact that Victor was successful in his experiment proves as to how dedicated and genius he was. This event, however, was the very beginning of Victor’s misery and suffering. He had become so engrossed in his project that he created a horrifying monster. He said, “I had worked hard for nearly two years, for the sole purpose of infusing life into an inanimate body. For this I had deprived myself of rest and health. I had desired it with an ardour that far exceeded moderation; but now that I had finished, the beauty of the dream vanished, and breathless horror and disgust filled my heart.” Victor could have paid more attention to the appearance of his creation, but his selfish motives took priority. Unable to cope with the monster he had created, Victor had fled his laboratory, abandoning his creation, releasing it into the

world.
Releasing his monster into the world took its toll on Victor Frankenstein. For the duration of the story, Victor struggled with a very heavy conscience. The fact that he created a horrifying creature sat heavily on his mind, causing him to become ill and deteriorate emotionally. He could not bear to own up to his actions and tell others how he created this supernatural being. Victor could be seen as a very selfish person because of this. He did not want to hurt his reputation by telling the truth. Victor had said, “My tale is not one to announce publicly; its astounding horror would be looked upon as madness.” One of Victor’s most selfish acts is how he dealt with the murder of his brother William. Victor’s sister through adoption, Justine, was accused of murdering the young boy and was sentenced to death. Victor knew that his monster murder William. He had many chances to speak up and tell the truth about the monster he created to save Justine’s life, but he instead wallows in guilt. Instead of one person dying, Victor multiplies the suffering of his family by allowing two people to die. Throughout the story, Victor is very cruel and many times hostile to the monster. Victor fell into depression frequently, and blamed the monster for taking away his peace of mind. His hostility caused the monster to continue his mission, bring more suffering to Victor and his family.
Victor Frankenstein’s monster experienced the misery of abandonment from his creator.

The monster was thrown blindly into the world with no one to look to for support. He was left to fend for himself, wandering the countryside. The entire time his hatred for Victor, who is responsible for his miserable existence, grew. The monster was continuously rejected by society due to his horrifying appearance and the way he reacted to such rejections. He was not created evil; he was shaped into the monster society sees him as. The monster has a personality that cares for others and longs for acceptance and a family. His personality really showed when he stayed in hiding near a small cottage owned by the De Lacy family. The monster observed the family for a long period of time, growing attached to their lives. He was able to learn how to read and speak as well as how to act properly. The monster began to feel like the he could trust the family. The monster confronted the family and, as expected, the family reacts negatively. The monster felt that he had been created out of hatred and, believing that the entire human race believes the same, swears vengeance on Victor Frankenstein. All he wanted was for someone to accept him, and his only chance of getting someone to make him happy was destroyed in front of his eyes. The monster was able to threaten Victor, forcing him to create a female companion, but before she was complete, Victor changed his mind and destroyed the second creature.

The monster cried to Victor, “Shall each man find a wife for his bosom, and each beast have his mate, and I be alone? I had feelings of affection, and they were requited by detestation and scorn.” Seeing his companion destroyed, the monster promises Victor, “I will be with you on your wedding night.” This was a threat against Victor’s beloved, Elizabeth. Ignoring the warning, Victor marries Elizabeth, and on their honeymoon night, the monster murders Elizabeth for revenge. Victor denied the monster’s only hope at companionship, so the monster stole Victor’s only love.
After a long race on the desolate ice covered ocean in the north, Victor reached his death bed. Victor was rescued by a ship and told his miserable tale to the captain of the voyage. His health continuously declined until, at last, he passed away. When the monster learned of Victor’s death, he feels no joy. Weeping over the dead body of the only person he has ever connected to, he confesses to the captain that he feels no peace or triumph. He explains, “But it is true that I am a wretch. I have murdered the lovely and the helpless; I have strangled the innocent as they slept, and have grasped to death his throat who never injured me or any other living thing. I have devoted my creator, the select specimen of all that is worthy of love and admiration among men, to misery; I have pursued him even to that irremediable ruin.” He continued by saying, “You hate me; but your abhorrence cannot equal that with which I regard myself.” In the end, the monster does feel bad for Victor, showing that he is indeed not the monster everyone makes him out to be.
Victor Frankenstein acted as the inevitable conductor in this story. He was an instrument of suffering as well as a victim of misery. It seemed like Victor had it all, but little by little, he lost everything he loved. His selfish ways and his ignorance turned him into the real monster. Only one thing sets Victor and his creation apart; victor still believed that the monster was evil in the end, but the monster realized that the crimes he had committed were wrong.