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Responsibility And Blame In Mary Shelley's Frankenstein

682 Words3 Pages

Throughout the novel Frankenstein by Mary Shelley, Victor acts as a lousy creator and father figure toward his creation. The Monster consistently makes it known that all of his struggles are at the hands of Victor Frankenstein, even though he does not accept this burden. Responsibility and blame are proven characteristics of Victor Frankenstein as he allows Justine to take the blame for William and accuses The Monster of the murder of his loved ones, when Victor is ultimately liable. The Monster kills William in cold blood out of spite toward Victor not taking care of him as his creator. With the idea that nobody will believe him about The Monster committing this murder, Victor refuses to confess and take responsibility, allowing his …show more content…

As Victor sees himself in trouble with The Monster, he lets the love of his life leave his side because Frankenstein is so caught up with his “enemy”. His selfishness makes him blind to the fact that The Monster is not coming for him. Even when Victor could not find The Monster he, “…was beginning to conjecture that some fortunate chance had intervened to prevent the execution of his menaces,” without even considering that The Monster was there for Elizabeth (Shelley 189). Once The Monster takes Elizabeth from Victor on top of Clerval and William, Frankenstein finally devotes the rest of his life to serving revenge to his creation rather than accepting the responsibility of these tragic events. He starts his rampage by telling the criminal magistrate, “This is the being whom I accuse, are for whole detection and punishment I call upon you to exert your whole power.” (Shelley 193). The rage that fills Victor proves that he blames The Monster for the victims and seeks revenge rather than accepting responsibility for his creation by feeling …show more content…

For The Monster, he had to completely learn everything in this strange world by himself with only a, “…hope for succour, although towards you I felt no sentiment but that of hatred” at his creator Victor Frankenstein (Shelley 131). The Monster feels the uttermost rage toward Victor for his abandonment. Not only does he leave The Monster to fend for himself, but he also makes him look like an outright beast that Victor, “…then cast [The Monster] abroad as an object for the scorn and horror of mankind.” (Shelley 131). Seeking vengeance, The Monster turns to violence against Victor’s loved ones for deserting him, which shows the irony of Frankenstein’s reprisal later in the

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