Frankenstein

Danielle Miller Zhang English IV- 2A 11-5-12 Frankenstein Essay Reading the novel Frankenstein by Mary Shelley, You find that there are many prevailing themes and moral lessons. As the characters live through the plot, the attitudes and emotions of each character play into one big theme, corruption. This is mainly seen in Victor Frankenstein. Victor Frankenstein is corrupted because his love of the intricacies of life was voided by his hate of the life he created. Attending school for the sole search of knowledge, Victor Frankenstein became engrossed in his studies. He was “at first fluctuating and uncertain” about what he truly wanted to study. (Shelley, 35) As he continued his education he found something that brought his heart delight, the study of human life. He spent many days and nights deciphering the details of human death and what makes life. “After days and nights” of continuous and strenuous study, he felt he had become capable of “bestowing animation upon lifeless matter” (Shelley, 37) His pursuit of this goal became so intense, his was “pale with study” and “emaciated with confinement” (Shelley, 39) Frankenstein’s devotion to his work was great. He even isolated himself from the world in hopes of achieving this dream he has created for himself. Observing the results of his labor, Victor Frankenstein’s response was not was he expected. As he studied the work of his hands, he says, “How can I describe my emotions at this catastrophe”. (Shelley, 42) He was not happy with his work. The life he thought he created was not at all what resulted. This ultimately led to his being corrupted. He felt he had “selected his features as beautiful”, but, in his eyes, “these luxuriances only formed a more horrid contrast.” (Shelley, 42) In this instance, he shows the corruption of his imagination and self. As he worked toward completing this life, his imagination led him to believe it would be beautiful, awe- inspiring. Because he let himself think these things, when the time came so see his creation, his heart hated what he created. Victor also goes against his true love for the knowledge of life. When he created a life of his own, he hated it, calling it a “miserable monster”. (Shelley, 43) It is almost a hypocritical reaction. As his feelings developed this way, he became more and more corrupt by refusing to accept his creature. Looking from the monster’s point of view, he felt like a son to Victor. He was as a child is when they are young, they need guidance and support. In their first encounter, when Victor awoke from his sleep and the monster was leaned over him, the monster had a “grin” on his face. He was happy to see his creator. Victor “escaped and rushed downstairs”. (Shelley, 43) Imagining from the monster’s standpoint, that was a sign of rejection. As the story goes on, Victor doesn’t give the attention to the monster that he needs, so the monster doesn’t turn out to be good. He acts on the instinct of one without training and neutral love. Victor’s detachment from the monster not only affects him, but his monster as well. Victor Frankenstein is a prime example of corruption in this novel. His love for the study of life is corrupted by his unrealistic expectations and hatred of his creation. He developed a hypocritical view toward his love of life. His monster suffers because Victor refuses to be associated with him. He becomes wild and hateful because Victor never takes the time to guide him as a father to a son.