Who_Is_Responsible_for_William's_Death_in_Mary_Shelley's_Frankenstein

Many people could be held responsible for immature William’s death, including the terrifying monster, the cruel villagers, stout Clerval, independent Felix, devoted Frankenstein and even the petit William himself. But the blame can only be attributed if we can dissect the intricate web of guilt. Many people may refer to the person, or in this case creature, who committed the crimes fault However, the people may refer to the dastardly act physical motion was based on many emotional triggers, all of which could have been prevented. Let us delve deeper in to the pit of foul equivocate. The most obvious person, or more accurately creature, to blame is the monster as he committed this dreadful act. In many courts of law, are included, they would find him guilty with murder. The monster even admits to killing William ‘...I killed your brother and I laughed...’ It’s clear that the monster actually killed William but there is a difference in committing the crime and causing it. The monster is not an adult. He has the same life span as a month old baby. If a baby killed another child then they would not be blamed for their own actions. Their parents would be. I don’t believe that the monster should be held liable for his actions. However, in the courts of law, the monster’s parents or parent would have to pay for the damages and have their child taken away from them. Frankenstein met the monster with disappointment, dismay and disgust- the monster needed guidance, kindness and care. Frankenstein was a terrible parent; he provided none of these requirements and rejected the monster from the start. I think Frankenstein was most to blame for the killing of his brother. It is fair to question Felix’s involvement in the death of William, though he did not directly know him, as he was the person who inspired the monster for revenge. Indeed the monster ends their brief, exciting and exhilarating meeting by running out of the door and shouting ‘Revenge! Revenge! ’ Felix, who lives with the blind Agatha, infuriates the monster, which, in turn, inspires the infuriated monster to kill William. Consequently I believe that Frankenstein and Felix are responsible for the demise of his younger brother. The villagers might also have contributed ethically to William’s destruction. Indeed the monster seems, when he is talking to Frankenstein, to believe that they contributed towards the gruesome act as he says ‘(the villagers) they stoned me...they set their dogs on me’ The villagers persecute him, this plays a part in Felix shooting him, as he hears about the monster in town. I think this shows that they play an underlining, though small, part in William’s necrosis. Some people might say that Clerval played a small part in the death of William. Though directly he did not harm the plot, he is with Frankenstein just before the monster is awoken. He fills Frankenstein with bitter resentment. When he finds a thigh bone under the chair he drily comments: ‘Last night’s dinner or this morning’s breakfast'’ I believe that this just contributed to his disquietude, making him more susceptible to fear and disgust. If Clerval had not made some carefully phrased comments then the monster would still have been created but maybe Frankenstein would have been more able to accept it. Finally William could be held responsible for his own annihilation. He said ‘I shall tell my brother, Herr Frankenstein, he’ll punish you ugly monster’ to the monster, when all he did was take him by the hand. Though it was natural to withdraw from the monster there was no invitation to step on him. I currently believe that William is slightly responsible for his death. Analysing all the final evidence, I think that many people are responsible for William’s death. Although William was just a child, if he had blanked his jaws then he would have been safe. Frankenstein should have shown acceptance and love to the monster; Felix should not have jumped to conclusions. Shelley* has done a wonderful job at portraying human nature and should always be remembered as the woman who gave birth to horror amazingly.