Mary Shelley brings up many social issues and themes in Frankenstein. For example, our global responsibility to other citizens. By using Victor Frankenstein’s character as an example, Mary Shelley shows the horrible consequences that rash choices can have and what kind of responsibility it places on a person. Victor Frankenstein’s desire for power and fame led him to make a reckless decision. He did not consider the impact on others. Victor was guided by emotions and desires when he created the Monster. Victor had a weak moral code and couldn’t resist his desire. In his pursuit of success he didn’t consider the consequences of all of his decisions.
Victor’s actions were influenced by his nature and two other factors. His nature is a major factor. He has been obsessed with power and knowledge. Second, his feelings and experiences. He saw his beloved Elizabeth in pain and suffered with her. This was hard work for him. He wanted the happiness of his family restored: “I would not have left those I loved and remained with, and more importantly, I wished to see Elizabeth, my beloved, in some way consoled.” The first factor was motivated by the desire to restore joy within the family. The desire to build a successful family is always present in the mind of a person. Most people are willing to sacrifice everything to benefit those they love and care about. Our emotions serve as a mechanism for expressing who we are and the motivation behind our actions.
Victor’s noble wish to bring happiness to those closest to him was thwarted by his own nature. He was obsessed with power, not considering the effects and consequences of what he did on others. He didn’t consider all possible outcomes. Victor and we all, when we are pursuing something, forget to consider the consequences of our actions. They can cause suffering for others.
Victor made his kind, if not beautiful creation, into a killer. We are accountable for the lives we give. Victor, after creating the Monster, was not kind and loving to him. In fact, he was terrified. He is a self-taught scholar who wants to understand society. However, everyone is afraid of the Monster. Monster realizes that he’s not like anyone else. He then asks himself, “Was I a monster?” A blot of dirt on the Earth, which everyone fled from and disowned by all? The rejection he received from summer residents for whom he has long been watching was the final straw. The Monster then swears revenge, first on its creator, and then all other people. My feelings were of rage/revenge. The Monster’s good nature, which no one would want to see, is turned into a murderer when he loses love. He kills Victor’s younger brother, saying “I used to be benevolent and kind; but misery has turned me into an evil fiend.” Victors perception of the Monster inside broke it.
Victor had not taken responsibility for the creature. However, despite the horrors Victor committed against the creature, despite the monster’s bitter weeping, he regrets his role as an evil tool. He ends with the words: “I’ll die, so that what I’m feeling will be gone.” He is not willing to suffer anymore and is prepared to die. The example of Victor and Monster shows what can happen when a person does not take responsibility for his actions. Victor fled because he did not want to be responsible for his actions. The monster was completely defenceless and in need of love.
In Frankenstein, Victor feels guilty about the actions of his creation. Victor’s failure to accept the responsibility for his creation caused the death of Justine the innocent and William, Victor’s brother. Victor considers himself a murderer in part “not actually, but in fact”. He may not have committed a crime, but his actions are still responsible for it. We are sometimes responsible for sending others in the wrong direction. The person has a responsibility to the world outside, to their family and to themselves. One can only be free from guilt when he accepts his own choices and their consequences. Victor feels bad only about his dead family members and doesn’t care much for the creature who he caused to suffer. Victor explains his motives for wanting to kill his adversary and releases himself from guilt: “I believe I am justified by my desire.” Victor was not willing to accept responsibility, even though he had already died. He finished in shame. Everyone has a responsibility and plays a part in society. A person who is responsible will never do anything that goes against social norms.
So we can say that Victor has no ability to be responsible in front of others or himself. Mary Shelley’s novel demonstrates the importance of taking responsibility as an individual, but also for society. Frankenstein’s protagonist, who did not want to take responsibility for creating the Monster, suffered a moral collapse and lost his family.
