Frankenstein: Less Human Than His Creation
...start out with
good intentions. However, Victor's ego in his search for god-like capabilities overpowers his humanity. The creature
is nothing but benevolent until society shuns him as an outcast on account of his deformities. The creature is more
humane than his own creator because his wicked deeds are committed in response to society's corruption; while
Frankenstein's evil work stems only from his own greed.
Victor Frankenstein and his creation are very much alike. Both are abandoned by their creators at a young
age; Frankenstein is left without his mother after her death, the creature is rejected by Frankenstein's abandonment.
Frankenstein and the monster are also similar in that they are isolated and outcasts of society. Frankenstein is
hypothetically an outcast when he consumes himself in work and is isolated when the creature kills those he loves,
and the creature is obviously isolated as a hideous outcast of society. Victor Frankenstein starts out with good
intentions; he is merely seeking to gain knowledge of natural philosophy. Soon, his greed for god-like power
overcomes him and he becomes consumed with the idea of creating life, "Summer months passed while I was thus
engaged, heart and soul, in one pursuit" (32). The creature also starts out with kindness, he tells his creator, "Believe
me, Frankenstein: I was benevolent; my soul glowed with love and humanity: but am I not alone, miserably alone?"
(66). However, after society refuses to accept him based on personal appearance, the creature becomes angry.
The creature has an overwhelming capacity to love as can be seen in his admiration for the peasants, "[The
creature's] thoughts now became more active, and [he] longed to discover the motives and feelings of these lovely
creatures... [he] thought (foolish wretch!) that it might be in [his] power to restore happiness to these...
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