Frankenstein: Victim or Villain

Mary Shelley’s ability to create such multidimensional characters in Frankenstein proves that writing is a powerful tool that has the ability to provoke vastly different opinions amongst readers. Even though each individual reading the story is reading the exact same words, their interpretation of those words often leads to opposing views in regards to the fate of the characters. The creature, in particular, has been a popular topic of discussion when conducting a close read of the novel due to his arguable versatility as a victim and villain. The concept of the villain has evolved over the years, however its basis still rests upon the simple fact that as a character in the story, their actions are a result of malicious intentions ultimately negatively impacting the other characters in the story; that is they are the antagonist. Whether it is Tybalt from Romeo and Juliet, the wicked witch of the west from The Wizard of Oz, Lord Voldemort from Harry Potter, or Victor Frankenstein in Frankenstein, all villains possess certain traits that classify them in this category as the “evil-doers”. Villains are usually selfish, lack remorse, unbelievably obsessed with achieving their goals regardless of the repercussions of their actions, and solely concerned with attaining power. Conversely, the victims of these stories: Romeo and Juliet, Dorothy, Harry Potter and the creature, respectively, become a part of the collateral damage that results from the actions of the villains. This holds true for Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein in the sense that the creature is a victim of circumstances, always having to react to the selfish actions of his creator Victor Frankenstein. The creature’s journey and fate render him a victim in this story based on the following criteria: he is essentially an orphan abandoned by his creator; his “evil” actions are driven by his yearning for love, not revenge; his actions are not malevolent as there are a reaction to the evil acts of Victor; and he feels

Cited: Butler, Marilyn. Frankenstein: Introduction. New York: Oxford University Press, 1969. Print. Lunsford, Lars. “The Devaluing of Life in Shelley’s Frankenstein.” Explicator. 68.3 (2010):174- 176. ProQuest. Web. February 23, 2012. Mellor, Anne. Mary Shelley: Her Life, Her Fiction, Her Monsters. New York: Methuen, 1988. Print Shelley, Mary. Frankenstein. New York: Oxford University Press, 1969. Print