Comparing Victor And The Monster In Mary Shelley's Frankenstein

As the novel Frankenstein progresses, the idea that Victor and the Monster grow ever so similar becomes highly pertinent. Victor’s ultimate demise is a direct relationship to the amount of people that have been murdered by the monster. As the Monster destroys everything Victor loves, Victor begins to be in a similar, if not worse position than the Monster initially is. Throughout this, the Monster develops into a more bitter and spiteful character. Throughout Frankenstein, Shelly demonstrates that the Monster and Victor share many qualities and mechanisms of coping. For example, both take solace in nature as shown through the passages: "The pleasant sunshine, and the pure air of day, restored me to some degree of tranquility." (Shelly 122) which is the account of the Monster, and "Even I, depressed in mind, and my spirits continually

I lay at the bottom of the boat, and, as I gazed on the cloudless blue sky, I seemed to drink in a tranquility to which I had long been a stranger" (Shelly 136) which is the account of Victor. Shelly makes a point to describe the tale of the Monster and ways in which the Monster reacted in certain situations, and then later in the novel, describes Victor as having very similar responses to the Monster. Furthermore, when both are faced with trauma, they seek solitude from the world around them. "I generally rested during the day, and travelled only when I was secured by night from the view of man" (Shelly 125) describes the monster, and "I entreat you: leave me to peace and solitude for a short time; and when I return, I hope it will be with a lighter heart" (Shelly 142) describes Victor. The only counterpart each party is left with is whom they each despise. Victor