The Contrasting Perspectives Of Victor Frankenstein And His Creature

The Contrasting Perspectives of Victor Frankenstein and his Creature

It is not God you should fear, but men who attempt to play God and, instead, play with fire, as is the case with Victor Frankenstein. In Mary Shelley’s novel Frankenstein or the Modern Prometheus, Frankenstein is certain that he can deceive nature and perform the act of creating life. The result of that desire is a horrifying creature. These two central characters, Victor and his creature, are nothing like father and son. There is no resemblance at all between them. They represent quite different perspectives on the nature of humanity, the obscurities of morality, and the responsibilities that come with the power of creation. It is an insatiable scientific ambition that motivates

Through the comparison of these two strong figures, the author submits an insightful philosophical tale about the dangers of ambition and the need for moral accountability in the face of humanity’s creative capabilities. At the core of the novel’s conflicts lies a major division in how these two characters perceive the essence of humanity. Victor Frankenstein is consumed by his persistent quest for scientific advancement. He sees humanity only through the lens of intellectual superiority and the potential of human reason. He sees no other purpose in life but to accomplish scientific achievements. He declares: I had worked hard for nearly two years, for the sole purpose of infusing life into an inanimate body. For this I have deprived myself of rest and health. I had desired it with an ardour that far exceeded moderation, (Shelley, 2021, p.31) revealing a fixation on the ruthless ambitious challenge of creating life, rather than on the intrinsic humanity of the being he is bringing into existence. In blunt contrast, the “daemon” has a sense of innocence and a desire to connect with others. The creature deeply desires to interact with other beings. This longing, together with its initial kind nature, can be inferred from these words: “I lay on my

There is no going back, really. Frankenstein’s lack of responsibility towards his creation has caused far more damage than he could have ever predicted. Now, they both need to deal with the consequences of Victor’s actions. At the centre of the conflict presented in Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein, lies the contrasting perspectives of Victor Frankenstein and his horrendous creatures on the nature of humanity, morality, and the responsibilities of creation. Frankenstein is consumed by the scientific ambition that blinds him to the ethical implications of his actions, while his creature struggles with the moral weight of his own violence and the one inflicted on him, and craves the love and accountability its creator so utterly denies. Shelley’s story serves as a warning and sheds light on the dangers of limitless ambition and the imperative need for creators to cultivate moral accountability and a profound sense of responsibility. Through this tale, the author reminds us that the power to create life, in any and all of its forms, comes