The Role of Science in Frankenstein

Mary Shelley tells a story of a scientist who creates a hideous creature in the novel Frankenstein. Victor Frankenstein is an amazing, smart scientist who admired human anatomy, and soon decided to create his own creature. Who is more at fault for the monsters behavior, Victor or the monster? If you were in the monsters position would you become a murderer for revenge? The monster is often viewed as the antagonist, however is Victor Frankenstein the reason many people in society see the creature as the bad guy?

In the beginning Victor Frankenstein became immensely consumed with creating a new life.

When Victor finally created the monster and it came to life, it startled Victor and he soon rejected the monster. Victors actions upset the monster greatly. This led to the monster killing people, but who is at blame? Victor brought the creature into this world. He says, I collected bones from charn-houses and disturbed, with profane fingers, the tremendous secrets of the human frame (Shelley 40). Victor Frankenstein has a huge responsibility in the monster’s actions because of his lack of attention and teaching. The creature even wanted to be acknowledged by Victor. The monster said he wanted to be guarded by the especial care of his creator (Shelley 118). Victor seemed to completely avoid the monster for years until the monster threatens him by saying he is going to kill Victors friends and family. I shall be with you on your wedding night (Shelley 158). Therefore, the monster did indeed show up at the wedding, and caused yet again another problem.

Society has never been an easy place to fit in, whether it was one hundred years ago or today. The monster Frankenstein created is not someone society would typically accept. He is a frightening, gruesome, and massive creature. Victor Frankenstein could not bear to be around the creature he had created, for he was frightened and having a sense of regret. Now that i had finished, the beauty of the dream vanished, and breathless horror and disgust filled my heart (Shelley 43). When the monster is left to attempt to figure out the world for himself, society causes the creature to become a monster due to others reactions to his physical appearance. On the creatures long journey alone, he comes upon a family in a cottage. The family was terrified once they saw him. As a result, one of the family members hits him with a stick. The creature then decides to be against humans. He said, …from that moment on I declared everlasting war against the species and more than all, against him who formed me and sent me forth to this insupportable misery (Shelley 125). As a result of being rejected by everyone he began to feel alone. He said I am an unfortunate and deserted creature; I look around and i have no relation or friend upon earth. These amiable people to whom I go have never seen me and know little of me. I am full of fears, for if I fail there, I am an outcast in the world forever (Shelley 122). This left a huge weight on the monster, and all he wanted was a companion. Which in the long run was also not given to him.

On the other hand, society and Victor Frankenstein himself are not the only people or things at fault. The monster created many of his own problems. If he were to choose a better option rather than killing people close to Victor, then maybe he would not be viewed as such a horrible monster. Victor is responsible as a parent, for he was the person who wanted to create a human in the first place. Many deaths would not have happened if the monster was not created, and if he was taught to be something other than mean. I am alone and miserable; man will not associate with me; but one as deformed and horrible as myself would not deny herself to me. My companion must be of the same species and have the same defects. This being you must create. (Shelley 133).

The real villain of Frankenstein is not the creature, but rather his creator Victor. The way people react can cause great damage to someone or something. Many people saw the monster as this terrible creature who only meant harm and caused great danger. However, no one stopped to look at Victor Frankenstein for what he put the monster through. He had to learn things himself, and be alone and judged for years upon years.

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