Frankenstein

            Frankenstein by Mary Shelley, felt to me as an interesting character study. By the time I finished the book, but even by around Chapter 10 and before, it had me asking the interesting question, who truly is the monster? It’s a question that I find interesting, particularly because the name Frankenstein is already often confused for the monster he created, but who is to say that Frankenstein isn’t already a kind of monster?

            So, a big reason why I find that question interesting is due mostly to the chapters 10 through 16. The chapters tell the monsters story of his life during the time that passes over the first few chapters. To say that it is a miserable one would be an understatement. It gives you a glimpse of what a life that should have never been given is like. We see the monster live a solitary life, hated by everyone around him. A being abandoned by the thing that created him. Left to begin his cursed life alone, a reality that will always haunt him.

            So how does this lead me to question our protagonist? Well beyond the fact that he created a life he had no right creating, he abandoned it. The monster throughout the story is motivated by a feeling of abandonment, and loneliness, hence his request to Victor during the midpoint in the story. Victor caused this life, and caused his pain. This led him to living, watching that cottage day and night just to be hated by them as everyone does. It’s what causes him to feel lost, and hated. These emotions are what eventually push him towards killing. Ultimately, he kills to get back at Victor for cursing him to a life that he doesn’t want.

            Can I say the Victor is the bad guy and the monster did nothing wrong? No, the acts Victor made don’t excuse murder. That said, Victors humanity is an interesting question, as all the monster did was make Victor feel what Victor forced him to feel, even when Victor had the chance to change that.