Monstrosity In Frankenstein

Determining who the monster is in the novel Frankenstein is a question that could be based on a variety of levels. There is one character that does embody horror and monstrosity in the novel that shows he is the true monster. Victor Frankenstein is the true monster, because he obtained knowledge that only God should possess, he was not capable with his actions to fulfill this knowledge, and allowed his self-ambition and revenge to control him, leading to his destruction. In chapter two of the novel, Victor has a desire and passion to obtain knowledge. Not just any knowledge, but he stated, “It was the secrets of heaven and earth that I desired to learn,” and goes on to say that the, “inner spirit of nature and the mysterious soul of man

47). What made Victor the true monster, is that when he discovered this knowledge, he didn’t know how to use it properly and was not qualified. Once Victor had almost completed the monster he said, “Oh! no mortal could support the horror of that countenance” (52). He abandoned his creation. Victor’s creation said, “Accursed creator! Why did you form a monster so hideous that even you turned from me in disgust” (pg.116)? Why would Victor turn his back on something he created? Victor’s actions show us that he despised his creation. What he didn’t realize was that his actions in trying to carry out his plan, were actually killing him slowly, because he was not capable of fulfilling this knowledge correctly. Towards the end of the novel, the only thing Victor cared about was getting revenge on his creation for killing his loved ones. Victor stated, “I was hurried away by fury; revenge alone endowed me with strength and composure; it molded my feeling… otherwise delirium or death would have been my portion.” The only thing keeping Victor from dying was getting revenge. It controlled him, and that’s what made him a monster. Also, I interpret Mary Shelley is showing us a deeper meaning. She could be showing us how it feels to be disowned and not wanted through her

In doing so, he allowed his monomania to be his one focus and forgot about everything else in his life. Victor said, “… my mind was filled with one thought, one conception, one purpose.” (pg.42) He wanted to learn more than he should’ve known. He stated to Robert Walton, “Learn from me, if not by my precepts, at least by my example, how dangerous is the acquirement of knowledge,” and goes on to say, “and how much happier that man is who believes his native town to be the world, than he who aspires to become greater than his nature will allow.” (pg. 47) To pursue this knowledge and then seek revenge after his creation, controlled Victor mentally. He is a monster because not only his actions showed it, but his mind was consumed as well. Victor Frankenstein is the true monster in this novel, because he obtained this knowledge that only God should possess, he was not capable with his actions to fulfill this knowledge, and allowed his self-ambition and revenge to control him. Victor became a monster by allowing this knowledge of creation to consume his actions and mind and in the end, it destroyed him and everyone that he loved. I interpreted that Mary Shelley is trying to show us that allowing passion and desires to go uncontrolled in your life, will lead to destruction and turn you into a