Role Of Revenge In Frankenstein

As humans, we have certain distinct traits that allow us to differentiate amongst others. While all humans have different attributes, they all share a common trait, and in this case, it is considered to be ‘revenge’. Revenge is “the action of hurting or harming someone in return for an injury or wrong suffered at their hands.” Throughout the course of the novel, Shelley showed us that revenge comes from one’s core; it is a trait found mostly within people who have faced some sort of betrayal from a loved one, in this case, a ‘parent’ or its ‘child’. Both parties, Frankenstein and the creature, have betrayed one another severely; and both persons were obsessed with the concept of avenging the other.

The creature was the initial party to initiate revenge, and Frankenstein wasn’t his first main target. Frankenstein may’ve been the first to spark the interest of avenging someone; however, he wasn’t the first person to trigger the endless death rates. Upon watching the cottagers (Felix, Agatha, De Lacey), the creature felt a deep attraction towards them; however, as soon as they mistreated it because of the way Frankenstein assembled it, the creature brought it amongst himself to feel this deep hatred towards the family and the human race in general. Fueled with
anger and fury, the creature kills Frankenstein’s youngest brother, William. This was the creature’s first step when avenging Frankenstein.

After learning of William’s death, Frankenstein promises himself that he will make the creature pay for his wrongdoing.
However, the promise completely solidifies upon hearing about Justine’s death. However, it is here that I realize, that Frankenstein hurt the creature. Frankenstein was supposed to act as the creature’s ‘parent’. However, Victor abandoned it during its time of need and in a world dominated by judgmental people. However, at the same time, I realized that Frankenstein has no way of hurting the creature like it had hurt him. Losing a person dear to you, a family member, is difficult. Because the creature had no ‘family’ or anyone similar to it, Frankenstein couldn’t hurt it in that
way.

The creature threatens Victor that if he does not congregate a figure similar to it, then he will avenge not only Frankenstein, but his family as well. At this point in the story, I realize that both characters were obsessed with revenge. It seemed that if anything didn’t go the way the opted for, then they would avenge anyone in their way. They grew accustomed to the thought of revenge, a trait that is frowned upon and time consuming. It is said that when someone desires to constantly avenge then that person is running towards his or her own destruction.

Over the course of the novel, many threats were thrown. That being said, we can conclude that both of Shelley’s characters put the need of vengeance before their well-being and health. The creature was structured in a way that enabled it to adapt in harsh weathers; however, Frankenstein wasn’t. We see, throughout the end of the novel, that Frankenstein was too consumed by the thought of revenge that he traveled to the coldest region to eradicate his creation. Too caught up in revenge, Frankenstein hadn’t realized he was drifting to his own destruction. The thought of slaying the creature, eventually destroyed Victor.