Victor Frankenstein: A Deadbeat Father Figure

Jacob Opalka
Mrs. Ramey
4 April 2016
English 12 CP
Victor Frankenstein: a Deadbeat Father Figure (Rough Draft) One out of every three children living in America lives without a father figure in his/her lives. Children growing up without a father figure can develop emotional and/or behavioral problems. In some cases, these children even become aggressive and get into trouble with the law (“Statistics on the Father Absence” n.p.). Frankenstein, written by Mary Shelley, occurs in Geneva and Ingolstadt, and portrays Victor Frankenstein as a deadbeat father figure to his creation because he does not take responsibility for him, and he must ultimately deal with the consequences of his creature. Victor Frankenstein begins narrating the story of

When he sees his reflection, he sees the difference in appearance between himself and everyone else around him. He watches a family for a period of time, and tries to communicate with them. They, too, are scared away by his appearance. He becomes angry with humans and further isolates himself (Shelley 91-110). Even though the creature had committed murder, he didn’t know that he was doing wrong. Victor’s creation is described as a “monster” in the story of Frankenstein. He is immediately considered to be evil because he has committed murder, even though he meant no harm. He wrongfully forges his identity according to how others see him; as an evil monster. He forges his identity on how others view him, which is an evil monster (Lall 36). At this point, he is growing out of the mental stage of an infant and is beginning to learn how to take care of himself. The creature is becoming lonely, and wants to find Victor so he can talk to him and feel accepted. As stated by Amy Guertin, “When a parent is absent […] children may blame themselves, believing there is something wrong with them” (Guertin

As a child, Victor was emotionally neglected by his father. He was never taught how to be a father because he did not have a good role model to look after. Consequently, when Victor’s creation came to life, he did not know how to act. He was scared and tried to run away from his problems. Since his creation has no parental figure to support and teach him, he develops behavioral problems and is very confused. He grows angry at Victor for creating him, leaving him, and refusing to make him a female companion. Victor’s creation murders his friend Henry Clerval, his brother William, and even his wife Elizabeth. Once Victor’s creation comes to life, his life is ruined. If he would have accepted him from the beginning and taken on the rule of a father, his life may not have been so miserable. Victor and his creation ultimately needed each other’s love, because their separation ultimately destroyed them