Frankenstein Essay
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Like Father Like Son
There are obvious similarities between Victor and his creation; each is abandoned, isolated, and both start out with good intentions. However, Victors ego in his search for god-like capabilities overpowers his humanity. The creature is nothing but kind until society shuns him as an outcast on account of his deformities. The creature is more humane than his own creator because his wicked deeds are committed in response to societys corruption, while Frankensteins evil work stems only from his own greed.
Victor Frankenstein and his creation are very much alike. Their creators abandon them both at a young age. Frankenstein is left without his mother after her death; the creature is rejected by Frankensteins abandonment. Frankenstein and the monster are also similar in that they are isolated and outcasts of society. Frankenstein is hypothetically an outcast when he consumes himself in work and is isolated when the creature kills those he loves, and the creature is obviously isolated as a hideous outcast of society. Victor Frankenstein starts out with good intentions; he is merely seeking to gain knowledge of natural philosophy. Soon, his greed for god-like power overcomes him and he becomes consumed with the idea of creating life, “Summer months passed while I was thus engaged, heart and soul, in one pursuit” (41). The creature also starts out with kindness, he tells his creator, “Believe me, Frankenstein: I was benevolent; my soul glowed with love and humanity: but am I not alone, miserably alone?” (88). However, after society refuses to accept him based on personal appearance, the creature becomes angry.
The creature has an overwhelming capacity to love as can be seen in his admiration for the peasants, “My thoughts now became more active, and I longed to discover the motives and feelings of these lovely creatures I thought (foolish wretch!) that it might be in my power to restore happiness to these deserving people” (102). The creatures display of care and compassion for the cottagers is more humane than most humans are; he retains the innocence and naive characteristics of a child. The creatures grasp of human-like qualities allows the reader to possess sympathy for his situation; he is a victim and Frankenstein is to blame. A true monster would, by definition, have no emotions or remorse, while Frankensteins creation has a very natural, human desire to be loved and accepted, “Once I falsely hoped to meet with beings, who, pardoning my outward form, would love me for the excellent qualities which I was capable of bringing forth”(208). Another human characteristic that the creature holds is his conscience, as can be seen at the end of the book after Frankenstein dies. The creature tells Walton, “It is true that I am a wretch. I have murdered the lovely and the helpless; I have strangled the innocent