True Hypocrisy In Mary Shelley's Frankenstein

Evil is never a direct intention, but a byproduct of a search for something greater. The intent of an action illustrates the true nature of a person, no matter the end result. True hypocrisy is shown in a modern society when an end result is mistaken for the intent of an action. In Frankenstein by Mary Shelley, both Victor Frankenstein and the monster are judged on the end result of their actions, not their intent. They both, under different circumstances, could be written as a hero or anti-hero. In Frankenstein, the reader judges Frankenstein and the monster by the result of their actions, selfishness, and perspective. Dr. Frankenstein, while trying to accomplish something amazing, ended up creating a monster. He never set out to create

Or if the Spartans were slaughtered and accomplished nothing at the Battle of Thermopylae? Had these events been changed only by their outcome, then those responsible would be looked at as foolish, regardless of their intent. This is what happened to Victor, this is why Victor is so depressed and uninspired. This is what Frankenstein is all about: what could’ve been. Because of his failures, Victor becomes obsessed with trying to prove his worth. "I had before been moved by the sophisms of the being I had created; I had been struck senseless by his fiendish threats; but now, for the first time, the wickedness of my promise burst upon me; I shuddered to think that the future ages might cures me as their pest" (Shelley,180). Victor understands that he has failed, that he will never become a hero that he wished he had become. Now, his only goal is to keep himself from becoming a villain. Shelley uses the word pest to best describe Victor’s fears. Victor thinking that he might become a pest frightens him because that means that he is just an inconvenience to future generations. That children in the future would be studying how he caused massive problems for the human race, studying all of his mistakes. When he finally decides to deny the monster’s request for a female companion, he doesn’t do it for the wellbeing of the world, he does it for himself. Because he can’t stand the thought of him becoming an infamous failure, a