Human Nature In Mary Shelley's Frankenstein

Human Nature vs. Creature Nature

In Frankenstein, by Mary Shelley, she brings up an interesting outlook on different natures between humankind and the creature. Shelley’s story tells the tale of a man who creates a creature, that he gets scared of and leaves to fend for himself in a world that knows nothing about him. We get to know the creator, Victor, from the beginning he is obsessive, irresponsible and possessive person, which shows even more as we get farther into the book. The creature’s personality and nature is developed throughout the book, but we don’t get a good feel of him until chapter eleven. As it turns out, Victor leaving the creature had led him to do some pretty bad things, but he went back to his roots and tried to be a better

We know the most about Victor because he is the main character so he gives us the best feeling of human nature on all accounts. He shows that he is very obsessive from the time he was a child, especially with Elizabeth, “No word, no expression could body forth the kind of relation in which she stood to me- my more than sister, since till death she was to be only mine.” (21). Eventually, his obsession dies down and he moves onto another subject; like death and creating life from death. His newfound obsession led him to create the creature, over a long period of time. It took two years for Victor to create the country during which he was to preoccupied to take care of himself, “Sometimes I grew alarmed at the wreck I perceived that I had become…” (41). After the creature finally comes to life Shelley emphasizes Victor’s responsibility hamartia. After spending years creating something you’d think he’d want to stay with the creature but that isn’t how it goes. In fact he runs from his masterpiece, “ “He might have spoken, but I did not hear; one hand was stretched out, seemingly to detain me, but I escaped and rushed downstairs.”(43). When Victor first started creating the creature he had the idea in his head that he would become the creature’s god, and that the creature would be like his personal slave. He is a very possessive human being especially when it comes to Elizabeth, “...and looked upon elizabeth as mine- mine to protect, love, and cherish.” (21). Victor is a disappointing representative of human nature, and Shelley makes sure we