As Marry Shelley’s novel Frankenstein develops, the complexity of it grows. Several stories are embedded into one another. The monster doesn’t just tell his story to Victor, he also tells the story of the villagers. One could argue that the two stories are synonymous. The monster and the cottage family both endure hardship when they are exiled from their know territory and left to rediscover themselves. The plot continues to thicken as the monster claims more of Victor’s loved ones in seek of revenge.
Beside from the moment when the hideous monster is created, I think another turning point in this novel happens when Frankenstein promises to create a female monster but then goes back on his word. Unlike the first time he created a creature, this time he thought about the consequences of creating another monster. On page 204 Victor wonders,
“Had I a right, for my own benefit, to inflict this curse upon everlasting generations?”
He knew that if the two monsters did indeed want to be with each other, they first thing they would want would be children. This would lead to the more monsters, and one monster had already done enough damage. He was stuck in a precarious position, both of his options were risky. Ultimately he chooses not to create another potentially evil monster. This poses another problem. His creation becomes angry and kill his wife, Elizabeth. This once again proves that the mistakes of Victor lead to the deaths of others. Five people are killed inadvertently by Victor.
It’s also interesting to look at the similarities between the characters. The monster, R. Walton, and the cottage family all long for companionship. In letter 2, Walton expresses his want when saying,
“I have no friend; Margaret: When I am glowing with the enthusiasm of success, there will be none to participate my joy.”
We also see times in the book when the monster longs for friendship. On page 185, the monster tells DeLacey,
“I am an unfortunate and deserted creature; I look around and I have no relation or friend on earth.”
The cottagers solemn looks and calm hint that they are missing something more in their life. This something is love, which comes in the form of Safie. Upon her arirval,
“Felix seemed ravished with delight when he saw her.” (144)
It seems as if the stories of these three people are woven together. Each one individually makes the other one more complete.
I wonder how differently things would have ended up if Frankenstein had completed the second monster. Would thousands of monsters one day have ruled the world? Or would they disappear and never be seen again?
Why didn’t Frankenstein and Elizabeth hide in secret on their wedding night? He knew that his creation would be coming for him, I think he could have done something to prevent the death of his new wife.
Where does the monster go at the end of the novel? Will he become less evil. If all his anger came from Frankenstein, and Frankenstein is gone shouldn’t his rage disappear?
