The story of Frankenstein follows the life of the ambitious scientist Victor Frankenstein as he attempts produce an animate creation. After the creation of his monster, the monster’s actions evolve from instinctual to purposeful as he accumulates knowledge. Initially, it was Victor’s responsibility to teach his creation moral values, and how to compose himself in a functioning society. Had Victor not abandoned his creation, Frankenstein would have arguably led a life with less murderous acts, and instances of emotional instability. It was the responsibility of Frankenstein to insure the protection of others from his creation, and them from him. After the monster is abandoned, he voyages out into the world in an attempt to discover things on his own. His inability to understand his own actions result, first, in the death of William. William is coincidentally the brother of Victor. William’s death results in the accusation of an innocent woman, and her death as well. These actions can not be blamed on the monster. The only thoughts he is able to have are those of instinctual survival, and not of logical thought and reasoning. He had lived blindly in the world, with no positive influence by his creator or any other person to teach him the concepts of the world and society. “I had desired it with an ardor that far exceeded moderation; but now that I had finished, the beauty of the dream vanished, and breathless horror and disgust filled my heart. Unable to endure the aspect of the being I had created, I rushed out of the room, and continued a long time traversing my bedchamber, unable to compose my mind to sleep"(page 22). This quote from Victor exemplifies the selfish traits he possesses, and also portrays his inability to be an ideal and responsible creator. He abandons his creation immediately, providing it with no substantial care, in what would seem as a significantly confusing circumstance for the monster. The situation of Victor and Frankenstein can be related to that of Lucy and her father, in the novel Lucy. Although Lucy's father does not abandon her and takes responsibility for her. He does not permit her to experience a world outside of the one he has created for her. In a way, he's not providing for his daughter in the same fashion Victor does not provide for his creation. The relationship becomes more platonic and meaningless, with no serious worldly or emotional experiences taking place. He means to cut her off and sees her as a product of science, which Victor does in a more real and devastating way. As the monster continues his blind and confused wandering, he stumbles upon a cottage, and books, which provide him with some sense of knowledge. He observes the interactions among the people residing in the cottage, and develops a better understanding of humans. He comes to a point where he wishes to expose himself to the people of the cottage, and is met with negative results. The people are horrified by his appearance and chase him away. He retaliates by setting their home on fire. The monster, although disgusted by his appearance, does not entirely understand his affect on other people and how they perceive him. Had Victor taken responsibility upon himself as a creator originally, and explained common situations such as this to the monster, the monster's actions would have never progressed to the point that they had. " "Devil," I exclaimed, "do you dare approach me? and do not you free the fierce vengeance of my arm wreaked on your miserable head? Begone, vile insect! or rather, stay, that I may trample you to dust! and, oh! that I could, with the extinction of your miserable existence, restore those victims whom you have so diabolically murdered!"(page 53). In the quote Victor blames the actions of his creation entirely on the monster. The quote also presents us with how Victor perceives his monster. Victor's interpretation of the monster does not seem just, for he is its creator, and made him the way he desired. Again, it can be argued that had Victor taught the monster how to function in society, the murders would have never occurred. By the end of the novel the relationship between Victor and his creation has progressed to one driven purely by vengeance. The deterioration of their relationship can be related to Victor's inability to treat his creation with the slightest form of respect or care. The entire relationship exemplifies the importance of a scientists responsibility for its creations. An inability to take responsibility for one's actions were expressed in the way the monster acted and the crimes and murders he committed. The story of Frankenstein becomes a cautionary tale to scientists, even if it may be an exaggerated one. the story articulates the necessity for responsibility in socciety and provides a consistent message today.
less murderous acts, and instances of emotional instability. It was the responsibility of Frankenstein to insure the protection of others from his creation, and them from him.
After the monster is abandoned, he voyages out into the world in an attempt to discover things on his own. His inability to understand his own actions result, first, in the death of William. William is coincidentally the brother of Victor. William’s death results in the accusation of an innocent woman, and her death as well. These actions can not be blamed on the monster. The only thoughts he is able to have are those of instinctual survival, and not of logical thought and reasoning. He had lived blindly in the world, with no positive influence by his creator or any other person to teach him the concepts of the world and society. “I had desired it with an ardor that far exceeded moderation; but now that I had finished, the beauty of the dream vanished, and breathless horror and disgust filled my heart. Unable to endure the aspect of the being I had created, I rushed out of the room, and continued a long time traversing my bedchamber, unable to compose my mind to sleep"(page 22). This quote from Victor exemplifies the selfish traits he possesses, and also portrays his inability to be an ideal and responsible creator. He abandons his creation immediately, providing it with no substantial care, in what would seem as a significantly confusing circumstance for the monster. The situation of Victor and Frankenstein can be related to that of Lucy and her father, in the novel Lucy. Although Lucy's father does not abandon her and takes responsibility for her. He does not permit her to experience a world outside of the one he has created for her. In a way, he's not providing for his daughter in the same fashion Victor does not provide for his creation. The relationship becomes more platonic and meaningless, with no serious worldly or emotional experiences taking place. He means to cut her off and sees her as a product of science, which Victor does in a more real and devastating way.
As the monster continues his blind and confused wandering, he stumbles upon a cottage, and books, which provide him with some sense of knowledge. He observes the interactions among the people residing in the cottage, and develops a better understanding of humans. He comes to a point where he wishes to expose himself to the people of the cottage, and is met with negative results. The people are horrified by his appearance and chase him away. He retaliates by setting their home on fire. The monster, although disgusted by his appearance, does not entirely understand his affect on other people and how they perceive him. Had Victor taken responsibility upon himself as a creator originally, and explained common situations such as this to the monster, the monster's actions would have never progressed to the point that they had. " "Devil," I exclaimed, "do you dare approach me? and do not you free the fierce vengeance of my arm wreaked on your miserable head? Begone, vile insect! or rather, stay, that I may trample you to dust! and, oh! that I could, with the extinction of your miserable existence, restore those victims whom you have so diabolically murdered!"(page 53). In the quote Victor blames the actions of his creation entirely on the monster. The quote also presents us with how Victor perceives his monster. Victor's interpretation of the monster does not seem just, for he is its creator, and made him the way he desired. Again, it can be argued that had Victor taught the monster how to function in society, the murders would have never occurred.
By the end of the novel the relationship between Victor and his creation has progressed to one driven purely by vengeance. The deterioration of their relationship can be related to Victor's inability to treat his creation with the slightest form of respect or care. The entire relationship exemplifies the importance of a scientists responsibility for its creations. An inability to take responsibility for one's actions were expressed in the way the monster acted and the crimes and murders he committed. The story of Frankenstein becomes a cautionary tale to scientists, even if it may be an exaggerated one. the story articulates the necessity for responsibility in socciety and provides a consistent message today.