In Mary Shelley's novel "Frankenstein," the conflict between the will of an individual and the will of society is a central theme. Through the character of Frankenstein's monster, Shelley explores the moral and ethical implications of this conflict as the monster’s opposition to society leads to profound consequences for both himself and those around him. This is shown when Victor creates the monster, when the creature meets the Da Lacey family, and in the death of people due to the conflict between Victor and his creation. These events show how the inmoral treatment of beings outside of the norm can lead to unethical results of evil. In the novel,Victor Frankenstein, driven by his ambition and desire for scientific discovery, defies societal …show more content…
While the Creature seeks companionship and acceptance, society's rejection pushes him towards vengeance and violence. This is shown when he is in the De Lacey house and he gets shamed without causing any harm. When the beast says, “I will be an outcast in the world forever.”, we are able to see the ethical dilemma of how individuals and society should treat those who do not conform to societal norms. Due to his looks, the creature was judged as an evil beast that only causes harm and fear. For the creature, his opposition to society leads to a profound sense of loneliness, despair, and ultimately, a thirst for revenge against his creator and humanity. We are shown this when Victor acknowledges that William, Justine, and Henry all perished because his actions highlighted the tragic consequences of his pursuit of scientific glory. His actions result in tragedy and destruction, highlighting the consequences of unchecked scientific ambition and societal prejudice. Similarly, society's refusal to accept the Creature reflects its own moral bankruptcy and inability to empathize with the