Who is the Real Monster in Frankenstein Essay: Unraveling the Threads of Humanity and Creation

blog 2025-01-21 0Browse 0
Who is the Real Monster in Frankenstein Essay: Unraveling the Threads of Humanity and Creation

Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein is a timeless exploration of humanity, morality, and the consequences of unchecked ambition. At its core, the novel poses a haunting question: who is the real monster? Is it the grotesque Creature brought to life by Victor Frankenstein, or is it Victor himself? The answer is not straightforward, as Shelley masterfully blurs the lines between creator and creation, humanity and monstrosity. This essay delves into the multifaceted nature of monstrosity in Frankenstein, examining the roles of Victor, the Creature, and society in shaping the narrative of horror.

Victor Frankenstein: The Architect of Monstrosity

Victor Frankenstein is often seen as the true monster of the story, not because of his physical appearance, but because of his actions and moral failings. His relentless pursuit of scientific glory leads him to create life without considering the consequences. Victor’s ambition blinds him to the ethical implications of his work, and his abandonment of the Creature immediately after its birth sets the stage for tragedy. By refusing to take responsibility for his creation, Victor demonstrates a profound lack of empathy and foresight.

Victor’s monstrosity is further highlighted by his selfishness and inability to connect with others. He isolates himself from his family and friends, consumed by his obsession with creating life. Even when the Creature begins to wreak havoc, Victor refuses to confess his role in the chaos, allowing innocent people to suffer. His refusal to create a companion for the Creature, despite the latter’s pleas, underscores his inability to understand or alleviate the suffering he has caused. In this sense, Victor’s monstrosity lies in his moral cowardice and his failure to recognize the humanity in his creation.

The Creature: A Victim of Circumstance

The Creature, often referred to as “Frankenstein’s monster,” is a complex figure who evokes both sympathy and fear. Born into a world that rejects him, the Creature’s initial innocence is quickly corrupted by the cruelty and prejudice he encounters. His physical appearance, described as horrifying and unnatural, marks him as an outcast from the moment of his creation. Despite his yearning for companionship and understanding, society responds to him with fear and violence.

The Creature’s actions, while undeniably monstrous, are driven by a deep sense of betrayal and loneliness. He learns about humanity through books like Paradise Lost and Plutarch’s Lives, which teach him about virtue, justice, and the potential for goodness in the world. However, his experiences with humans—such as the De Lacey family, who reject him despite his acts of kindness—lead him to conclude that he will never be accepted. This realization fuels his descent into violence, as he seeks revenge against Victor and the society that has wronged him.

In many ways, the Creature is a reflection of the darker aspects of humanity. His capacity for both love and hatred, his desire for connection, and his eventual embrace of violence mirror the complexities of human nature. While his actions are monstrous, they are also a response to the monstrosity he has endured. This duality challenges readers to consider whether the Creature is inherently evil or if his monstrosity is a product of his environment and treatment.

Society: The Breeding Ground for Monstrosity

Beyond Victor and the Creature, society itself plays a crucial role in shaping the narrative of monstrosity in Frankenstein. The novel critiques the ways in which society judges individuals based on appearance and superficial qualities. The Creature’s rejection by every human he encounters, despite his initial kindness and intelligence, highlights the prejudice and fear that permeate society. This collective failure to empathize with the “other” ultimately drives the Creature to violence.

Moreover, society’s emphasis on scientific progress and ambition, as embodied by Victor, contributes to the novel’s themes of monstrosity. Victor’s obsession with creating life reflects a broader cultural fascination with pushing the boundaries of knowledge and power. However, Shelley warns of the dangers of such pursuits when they are divorced from ethical considerations. Victor’s creation of the Creature, and the subsequent devastation it causes, serves as a cautionary tale about the potential consequences of unchecked ambition.

The Blurred Line Between Creator and Creation

One of the most compelling aspects of Frankenstein is the way it blurs the line between creator and creation. Victor and the Creature are inextricably linked, with each reflecting aspects of the other. Victor’s monstrosity lies in his moral failings and his refusal to take responsibility for his actions, while the Creature’s monstrosity is a product of his suffering and rejection. In this sense, both characters embody different facets of the same existential dilemma: the struggle to define what it means to be human.

The novel also raises questions about the nature of creation and the responsibilities that come with it. Victor’s failure to nurture and guide his creation leads to tragedy, suggesting that the act of creation carries with it a moral obligation. The Creature’s plea for a companion underscores the importance of connection and empathy, qualities that Victor lacks. By contrasting Victor’s neglect with the Creature’s yearning for understanding, Shelley highlights the profound impact of relationships and responsibility on the human experience.

Conclusion: The Real Monster

In Frankenstein, the concept of monstrosity is not confined to a single character or entity. Instead, it is a multifaceted theme that encompasses Victor’s moral failings, the Creature’s suffering and actions, and society’s prejudices and ambitions. The real monster, then, is not a singular figure but a combination of these elements. Shelley’s novel challenges readers to look beyond appearances and consider the deeper moral and ethical questions that define humanity. In doing so, Frankenstein remains a powerful exploration of the consequences of creation, the nature of monstrosity, and the enduring struggle to understand what it means to be human.


  1. How does Victor Frankenstein’s ambition contribute to his role as the real monster?
    Victor’s unchecked ambition drives him to create life without considering the consequences, leading to his moral downfall and the suffering of others.

  2. What role does society play in shaping the Creature’s actions?
    Society’s rejection and prejudice towards the Creature fuel his feelings of isolation and anger, ultimately driving him to violence.

  3. Can the Creature be considered a victim rather than a monster?
    Yes, the Creature’s initial innocence and desire for connection suggest that his monstrosity is a result of his treatment and environment rather than his inherent nature.

  4. How does Frankenstein explore the ethical implications of scientific advancement?
    The novel serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of pursuing scientific progress without considering the moral and ethical consequences.

  5. What does the relationship between Victor and the Creature reveal about the nature of creation?
    Their relationship highlights the responsibilities that come with creation, emphasizing the importance of empathy, guidance, and ethical consideration.

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