Who Was Responsible For William's Death In Frankenstein

In the book, Frankenstein written by Mary Shelley, the death of the youngest family member, William is blamed on the creature. It is questionable whether or not the creature is culpable for its actions though he did commit the act of Williams murder. One can uncover various instances that challenge the notion of the responsibility for William's death through close analysis of the novel. First and foremost, the creature origin and treatment received from its master, Victor Frankenstein, must be taken into consideration. From the start of it’s life, it is left to fend for itself in a hostile world and rejected by its creator. The creature is made to understand everything about the world through its own encounters, which are marked by isolation,

During the encounter of the creature and the young boy in the woods, it advances with kindness however it is immediately met with malicious and unpleasant person. After the boy, William, reveals he is a member of Victor Frankenstein family, it becomes irate with the reminder of its own desertion and isolation. The creature confesses to Victor: "I grasped his throat to silence him, and in a moment he lay dead at my feet." (Chapter 16). Driven by emotion, it’s actions are impulsive rather than premeditated. Suggesting, that since the it did not have full control over its mental and emotional state the blame may not rest on just the

Although the murder was not directly committed by Victor, he may have played a crucial part in the conditions leading to the tragedy. Through the negligence of his creature and failing to provide it with instruction and support, Victor left his creation to the influence of evil and its impulses. Moreover by failing to create a female creature as he had promised Victor destroyed the creatures only chance at companionship. When Victor was confronted by the creature it states: "You have destroyed the work which you began; what is it that you intend? Do you dare to break your promise?" (Chapter 20) His actions are a complete violation of the creatures trust, playing a major role in the instability and desire for revenge expressed by the creature. As a result, the blame in many eyes cannot be placed on the hands of the creature when Victors part in the events leading up to Williams death was so