Victor Frankenstein Essay, Research Paper
Victor Frankenstein as a Child Abuser In today’s court I am going to convict Victor Frankenstein in many murders. He created a being that destroyed the lives of innocent people. Frankenstein never considered how such a creature with a horrifying appearance would be able to exist with humans. He didn’t take responsibility for his creature; instead Frankenstein abandoned, neglected, and abused his creature. He never realized that the lack of parental love and guidance would lead the creature to a murderous path. Moreover, Frankenstein kept in secret his creature’s existence and chose not to reveal it to his family and friends. By doing so, he jeopardized the lives of his loved ones and put them in danger. With my evidence and supports, I am going to prove that Victor Frankenstein, as a parent, is responsible for the creature’s actions causing the deaths of his friends and family. By violating the laws of nature, Victor Frankenstein tried to discover “the cause of generation and life,” and “became . . .capable of bestowing animation upon lifeless matter” (Shelley 68). Days and nights Victor was occupied with his experiment. He forgot about his family and could not see anything beyond his experiment. Victor said that he had “lost all soul or sensation but for this one pursuit” (70). He had “worked nearly two years for the sole purpose of infusing life into an inanimate body” (72). During these two years Victor became selfish and had no contact with his parents, Elizabeth and William, who were impatiently waiting for a letter from there loved one. In her letter to Victor, Elizabeth writes; “Yet one word from you, dear Victor, is necessary to calm our apprehensions” (68). Victor made the decision to give life to a being without considering the possible consequences of creating life. After “incredible labor and fatigue” Victor finally accomplished his goal (71). He created a life without any consideration and the only purpose for him was to have supreme power. Victor brought the creature into the world and did not accept his creation. Horrified by his creature, Victor abandoned him. Victor said: “Unable to endure the aspect of the being I had created, I escaped” (85). At this point we see how Victor rejected his responsibilities for his child. He never questioned where his abandoned child was and he even wished that the creature were dead. Victor kept a secret about the creation of his monster from everyone; even his best friend Henry. This decision led to the destruction of his family. William was the monster’s first victim. A few months after the creation of the monster, William was found murdered a small child still in his prime. Though the murderer was supposedly deduced to be Justine, Victor Frankenstein knew the real murderer was his creation. Victor’s silence led to the execution of the innocent Justine. Victor didn’t want to say to the judges that Justine is innocent…he was silent. Victor only said: “I believed in her [Justine] innocence; I knew it. Could the daemon who had (I did not far a minute doubt) murdered my brother also in his hellish sport have betrayed the innocent death and ignominy?” (91). The creature should not be blamed and be held responsible for his actions and misfortunate, for he had no control over his misfortunes. He was brought into the world with no one to give him knowledge, support, and guidance. He was completely deserted by his creator. When he tried to make friends, everyone either ran away from him or tried to kill him. When he saved a little girl from drowning, he was shot (118). He provided firewood daily for the De Lacey family, and they regarded him as “a good spirit” (88). Yet when they saw this “good spirit,” they deserted their house and the monster, and never came back. Felix ” dashed me [the creature] to the ground and struck me [him] violently with a stick” (96). The being was given no choices regarding these incidents. His rejection and misfortune was not caused by his actions, but rather his appearance, a physical trait that he could not change. The creature’s problem was that he was ugly and deformed. He did not choose to be physically deformed. Victor created him that way. Thus, Victor is ultimately responsible for the being’s rejection. The creature was completely alone. His own creator could not tolerate the sight of him and deserted him. He was left with nobody. The monster explained that he was a “poor, helpless, miserable wretch; I knew, and could distinguish, nothing” (91). He had to discover survival, language, and knowledge alone. Every time he tried to befriend someone, he was rejected. This is particularly tragic because the monster’s only desire was companionship. He even vowed, “if any being felt emotions of benevolence towards me, I should return them hundred and a hundred fold” (105). Because of the monster’s intense desire for companionship accompanied by his unalterable state of loneliness, I feel sorry for the monster. I find the creature to be very miserable an abandoned. He had no one who could reduce his pain and sufferings. He was a lonely child who needed to be taught right from wrong by his father and creator Victor Frankenstein. Therefore, I don’t find the creature responsible for his actions; I find Victor responsible for all murders that creature did. Victor is chargeable for the death of his best friend Henry. He never told anything about his creation to Henry. When Henry saw how ill Victor was he asked him: “How ill you are. What is the cause of all this?” (58). Henry never received an answer to his question. However, Henry saved Victor’s life by nursing him for several months, in return Victor replied: “Dearest Crerval how kind, how very good you are to me. This whole winter, instead of being spent in study, as you promised yourself, has consumed in my sick room. How shall I ever repay you” (59)? Victor’s kindness was that he let the creature kill his friend Henry, by simply not warning him. The same occurrence happened to Elizabeth, Victor’s bride. When Victor rejected the creature to create a female companion for him the creature replied: “I go; but remember, I shall be with you on your wedding night” (123). By hearing this Victor knew that the life of his bride was in danger. He risked the life of Elizabeth by not warning her of the danger. The consequences of keeping his creature’s existence in secret were disastrous. He could have save the lives of his loved ones but he did not even try. The real question is – who is the monster? In my opinion the monster is Frankenstein who neglected his parental duties. He is accountable for all murders. From my point of view, by having proven my case, it is clear to see that Victor created a being whom he could have accepted and educated. Victor could have fulfilled his promise to the monster regarding the creation of a female mate. However, Victor chose none of these options. Therefore, he must pay for the consequences of his decisions and actions.