Essay On Victor As A Monster In Mary Shelley's Frankenstein

Throughout the novel Frankenstein, Mary Shelley makes us question the idea and the definition of a monster. We have a picture painted in our heads of something that would hide under a bed or some spooky creature that resides deep in the woods or swamps. Mary Shelley makes us question ourselves and popular beliefs.
To no surprise, most everyone would say that, of course, Victor’s creation is a monster, and at times, he seems like nothing but that. But at other times, the creation is quite the contrary. In the beginning, the creation just wants acceptance, and he has known nothing but exile since his heart began beating. The creation asks Victor to create him a companion in the same way that Victor created him. This request shows us that he wants love and friendship like everyone does. Victor begins, and then abruptly stops and destroys his work in progress. The
creation tells Victor that he will be sorry, which strikes fear into Victor. In spite, the creation goes on a rampage killing some of Victor’s family. These are actions that match a traditional concept of a monster and sound like something readers might imagine a monster would do.
On the other hand, Mary Shelley makes us question whether Victor himself is a monster. Victor abandons his creation which scars the creation, and yet Victor can continue on with his life. Victor did not fully consider that the creation of life was not solely physical. He completely discounted the mental and emotional components of the life he formed. Once they meet up years later, the creation asks the creator to make a companion for him. Victor agrees, giving the creation hope. After Victor begins work, he questions himself and what he is doing. He destroys his project and throws the remains into the sea, crushing his creation. Although Victor’s initial motives were positive, his actions end up being very detrimental to his creation. This makes us question Victor. Victor is a shortsighted man. He acts without thought for future consequences and continues to never fully consider the long term effects of his decisions.
Both Victor and his creation show characteristics of a monster at times, but don’t we all?
You can’t tell what someone is like just by looking at him. Yes, you would definitely call Victor’s creation a monster if you saw him walking down the road, but would you call the average joe Victor a monster, also? They may not look alike, but they both have negative characteristics that make them appear to be a monster figure. In my perspective, Victor is more of the monster in this story. No, he didn’t kill anyone, but he abandoned his creation and left him lonely and in exile. Victor had a responsibility based upon these actions, but he neglected the emotional impact, and therefore many lives were destroyed due to his neglect. This affected him tremendously. Victor’s creation can be compared to Grendel in the story Grendel. The creation appears to be some murderous monster, but in reality, just wants acceptance and companions. Acceptance and companionship, things at the very core of humanity, were never considered by Victor. How could he possibly have ignored these basic needs as he moved further into his
project?
Mary Shelley probably did the things she did to make us realize that looks and first judgments do not always tell the full story.There is much more to it. It’s all about the inside and the actions that one takes and their motives that determine what and who they are. The value of a human being is more about specific actions and motives rather than an exterior first glance. “I have good dispositions; my life has been hitherto harmless and in some degree beneficial; but a fatal prejudice clouds their eyes, and where they ought to see a feeling and kind friend, they behold only a detestable monster” said the monster to the blind man.