Examples Of Deviance In Frankenstein

In the novel Frankenstein, by Mary Shelley, Victor Frankenstein creates a “monster”. Throughout the novel, there are many scenes of violence that contribute to the complete meaning of the passage. In the beginning of the book, the creation is very lonely and in need of a friend. Due to Victor’s abandonment of his own creation, the creation has a lack of “parental guidance”; thus the creation becomes deviant, violent, and ultimately, a monster. The creation’s deviance leads him to have violent thoughts. Initially, the only deviant part about the creation is his looks; however, the later scene where the creation comes into contact with William tells the reader otherwise. When Victor abandons the creation, the creation becomes extremely lonely. “If, therefore, I could seize him and educate him as my companion and friend, I should not be so desolate in this peopled earth” (Shelley). The creation spots William, Victor’s brother, and he is basically kidnapping him; however, he does not understand that his deviant behavior is wrong since he has had no “parental guidance”. This deviant act leads him to have violent thoughts toward William. Victor’s creation has violent thoughts that eventually urge him to take action on his thoughts. During this event, the creation has had violent thoughts.

Besides actually killing William, the creation also frames Justine, the Frankenstein’s servant, for the murder. “I bent over her and placed the portrait securely in one of the folds of her dress” (Shelley). He had taken this portrait from William after he killed him. These two actions lead the reader and Victor to call the creation a murderer, and inevitably, a monster. “He was a murderer!” (Shelley). The words of Victor from earlier in the book, before the reader hears the creation’s side of the story, allow the reader and Victor to come to the assumption the creation is a