Frankenstein Relationship Essay

In Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein, Victor Frankenstein and his reanimated creature have a distinct relationship with each other. It is possible that a defining relationship between Frankenstein and the monster is that between a man and a woman. While Frankenstein is the creator of his monster, the monster has most of the power in their relationship. Each also demonstrates behavior that resembles that of a stereotypical male and female relationship, such as having one of them become fully dependent on another for life. However, that relationship is also mocked by inserting characteristics that do not reflect that of the same gender, an example being that Frankenstein’s monster is sometimes seen as womanly. The monster is characterized as

An example includes the fact that the monster is stronger than Frankenstein. This represents the stereotypical belief that men are stronger and more capable than women. Another characteristic of the relationship between man and woman during the 19th century was of the power dynamic. Frankenstein’s emotions are the plaything of the creature. The creature is able to manipulate Frankenstein by murdering those that Frankenstein loves to instill rage and hatred in Frankenstein or by invoking pity for the creature’s loneliness. Then, when the monster speaks to Frankenstein requesting for another monster to be created, Frankenstein instead feels pity for his creation. He says, “I was moved … I felt that there was some justice in his argument.”(148) The monster can evidently manipulate Frankenstein through persuasion and, as a result, control his feelings. It is possible that Shelley could be conveying the belief the creature controls Frankenstein like a man would control a woman. Not only were Frankenstein’s feelings controlled, but his actions were as well. The creature was able to lure Frankenstein toward him, goading him into chasing him across the North

After Elizabeth’s death, Frankenstein had no one who meant anything to him, except for the creature. Frankenstein says, “But revenge kept me alive; I dared not die and leave my adversary in being.” (210) He continued to live because of his need to exact vengeance on the monster he created. In a similar manner, the monster was obsessed with destroying Frankenstein’s life by killing those he loved. The connection between Frankenstein and his monster is reinforced when Frankenstein dies. The monster proclaimed that “He is dead who called me into being; and when I shall be no more, the very remembrance of us both will speedily vanish” (232) because his “work is nearly complete.” (231) This showed that Frankenstein’s pursuit was the only reason that the monster wanted to keep living, which also resembles the bond between man and