Character Foils: Victor And The Monster

Character Foils: Victor and The Monster Often in a literary work, authors use minor characters to emphasize specific traits and characteristics of a main character. In Mary Shelley’s best selling novel Frankenstein, the monster is a minor reflection of Victor Frankenstein. Victor’s personality traits from when he was a child, and as an adult, are carried over and placed into his creation unintentionally by Victor himself. As the monster grows older, his comparison to victor becomes more and more evident, and their likeness creates a conflict between the two characters. In the first few chapter of Shelley’s novel, Victor describes growing up in great detail. From his loving parents, to his great friendships, Victor Frankenstein had a very happy childhood. He even goes as far as stating that “no human could have passed a happier childhood than myself.” (page 36) Growing up Victor also had a strong desire to learn about things

“You may render me [Victor] the most miserable of men, but you shall never make me base in my own eyes,” Victor says to the monster, meaning that the monster can do whatever he wants, but he will not allow him to make Victor lower himself more than he already has, but this is exactly what the monster does when he convinces Victor to make him a female companion. This is a prime example of a minor character foil contrasting a main character; the monster takes complete control over Victor and dominates his character, ultimately turning himself into a more prominent aspect of the storyline. The author most likely does this in order to employ a drastic shift in the meaning of her novel. As the novel started, it was portrayed that Victor would be a rising character and achieve great things, but with the creation of the monster, his character ultimately became his own