Frankenstein Versus His Creature

Gothic Cluster

Frankenstein versus his Creature

In the novel, Frankenstein, by Mary Shelley, the Creature’s only need is for a female companion, which he asks Victor Frankenstein his maker to create. Shelley shows the argument between the creature and Frankenstein. The creature says: “I demand a creature of another sex, but as hideous as myself…” (Shelley 139). Shelley shows what the creature wants from Frankenstein and what his needs are. Shelley gives us an idea of the sympathy that Frankenstein might feel for the creature even though he neglects him. The creature confronts Victor demanding his attention and expressing his needs. I feel a lot of sympathy for the creature based on him being able to forgive Victor for abandoning him and being able to communicate with him.

A perfect reason why Frankenstein refuses to grant the creature what he wishes is when he tells the creature: “your evil passions will be renewed, and you will then have a companion to aid you in the task of destruction” (Shelley 140). I think that this is a good reason why Frankenstein doesn’t want to grant the creature’s wish. Frankenstein is afraid that creating another creature can cause the end of human kind. I disagree with Victor’s thoughts and assumptions about the creature’s nature because he judges the creature by his appearance: “when I saw the filthy mass that moved and talked, my heart sickened and my feelings were altered to those of horror and hatred”(Shelley 140). Victor is very shallow because he judges the creature by his appearance and not by his feelings.

I believe that Victor and the creature are both right about what they want and yet monstrous in their reactions. Victor is right about what he wants; one reason is because he is very committed to his work and in creating life for his creature. On the other hand he is evil because he abandoned the creature and left him on his own: “I escaped and rushed downstairs. I took refuge in the courtyard belonging to the house which I inhabited” (Shelley 57). Shelley shows Victor’s monstrous reaction to the creature in the way that he abandoned the creature