What Is The Importance Of Companionship In Frankenstein

The evidence provided in Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein indicates that Victor should not create a companion for the creature.

Shelley’s novel indicates that Victor’s obligations to his family prohibit him from creating a second creature. Victor feels as if he is responsible for expressing gratitude towards his family, for they have supported Victor throughout his life in Geneva. The novel expresses his parent’s unconditional love for him through their caress and passion ever since he was an infant. Victor’s parents have only brought forth good to him, for they have felt that they owe the very best to the human that they brought life to; Victor therefore feels as if he too should reciprocate that compassion that his family has shown, back to them.

Victor believes that companionship is something that is earned rather than given. When the creature confronts Victor, asking him to create a companion for him, Victor refuses, unwilling to create another monster that will cause more harm by killing innocent people. That the creature attacks and kills William, Victor’s brother, the creature loses Victor’s trust as a result of doing so, for it lessens the creature’s chance of having another companion. The novel expresses the idea of companionship and the importance of it for Victor; he does not want to risk more people's’ lives by giving life to another creature who could cause more havoc. Henry Clerval, a friend of Victor’s, gives Victor the support that is necessary after his creation of the monster, which exposes Victor to the idea of what it means to be a true friend. Victor feels as though the creature should not have a counterpart because he murders Victor’s friends as a result of being incapable to realize the true importance of companionship. Not only are other character’s lives at risk with the creation of another companion, but also his own mental and physical health in creating another