Examples Of The Butterfly Effect In Frankenstein

The Butterfly effect is the theory that small causes have big effects. Every day, every second, we experience things that change the course of our lives forever. Everything we go through contributes to our metamorphosis into individuals, but do some experiences set people off on different paths? Are we predestined to be good/bad, or is life just a game of chance?
In Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein, Victor Frankenstein creates a creature who by connotative reasoning is considered to be a monster. Starting with his appearance the creature doesn’t have the friendliest façade. Appearing with tenebrous black hair, translucent veiny skin, and towering around eight feet his presence is eye-opening to say the least. Upon first glance of him it seems all, if not most, reactions are to flee as if he was a reeling predator. Imagine being called ugly by everyone you meet, and constantly
be avoided at all costs, undoubtedly it must have a tremendous effect on someone’s developing perspective of not only themselves but the world around them.
The creature learned everything with an infantile fascination on his own in the wilderness due to the fact that his creator abandoned him.
Surely sanctuary doesn’t apply to a creature of Frankenstein’s exhibition, so where else is one to go but a place without civilization. In nature he was able to familiarize himself with all things wondrous, asking and answering all his own questions. Instinct was his north star and he was beginning to comprehend his role in the world. After seeing his reflection in a pool of water, the creature understood why so many people were afraid of him. Despite previous interactions the creature decided to make an attempt at befriending a family that he frequently admired from afar. The man of the household was blind and couldn’t see the creatures alien appearance. As for the rest of the family their sigh might as well been 20/20, for after they set eyes on him they screamed and made off for having been frightened. The creature was enraged and in a fit he set fire to the family’s cottage. All he wanted was to take up a friendly accord, and again was shot down by
humanity.
At this point the creature found reasoning for his creation jaded and wanted Frankenstein to understand his torment. So by using Frankenstein’s diary as a guide, the creature traveled to his estate and murdered Frankenstein’s kid brother framing Justine in the process. Frankenstein having traveled home, and obviously distraught after Justine’s trial to where she was condemned, sees the creature and agrees to follow him to his dwelling to listen to the creature’s tales. There the creature tells him about his coming up alone, and feared by all who set eyes on him. Taken back by his creation, Frankenstein doesn’t hold back at any opportunity to mock the creature. Whereas the creature refers to Frankenstein as “Creator”, at this point one may begin to question who the real monster is. The creature admittedly talks of William and Justine, explaining his reasons to Frankenstein. Then he presents his proposal of Frankenstein creating him a female partner in exchange for him to run off with her to the South American wilderness. Reluctantly Frankenstein agrees but never fully goes through with his promise. After the death of his love Elizabeth, Frankenstein eventually dies as a cold bitter man as foreseen in the early chapters of the story.
To disregard all context, skipping to the resolution, one may wonder how such an ending came to fruition. Like the theory of The Butterfly Effect, through a series of chance happenings Frankenstein ended up a coward and his creature almost as bitter as he. Had things of been different maybe William would still be drawing breath, and Justine’s name not be soiled. Maybe the creature could’ve become an integral part of modern society, and maybe Frankenstein would go down in history as a hero trailblazer. Asking the question, “was the creature really evil?”, now that’s up to you.