Frankenstein to his Monster

Victor Frankenstein creates his monster; this makes him liable for it. Just as a parent is obligated to care for and raise his child, the young scientist’s handiwork is his to watch over. However, he does the opposite. As soon as the monster takes its first breath, Victor is horrified. The reality of his dream becomes clear to him, and he runs from the nightmare he has created. Victor’s lack of duty and commitment has serious consequences. The weight of the knowledge of the decisions he has made still burdens him; he begins to unravel, and becomes physically ill. He is mentally scarred by the experience; he cannot bear to tell anyone what has happened, and it only becomes more arduous for him to bear the secret of what he has done. One of his brothers is murdered by the creature, and a young woman is unjustly tried and put to death in it’s place. Frankenstein feels the guilt of his part in these deaths, as he recognizes that if it were not for his obsessive undertaking, they would not have been killed.

Frankenstein was liable for the monster’s actions, as well as the effects of those actions. He recognizes this, as evident in the physical toll caused by the relentless inner struggle over his remorse. Had he been more decisive, and faced the reality and consequences that came from his obsession, it is possible that he would not have been so burdened by this guilt. He has a duty to care for and teach his creation; he is charged with raising it up to be a civil member of society. If the creature becomes a danger to society, it is also Victor’s place to eliminate this danger. He fails in rising up to this commitment; he is consumed by guilt and fear instead of owning up to his mistakes and taking action. Frankenstein and his monster are bound together, whether or not he intended for it to be that way.

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