Revenge In Frankenstein Analysis Essay Sample

In Frankenstein by Mary Shelley, Victor Frankenstein creates a being whom he neglects and refuses to treat as human. The monster then makes poor decisions after escaping from Victor’s living space. Victor, affected by his creation’s wrongdoings, plans to get revenge. Robert Walton later found Victor near the North Pole, driven by revenge. Because he had traveled in the cold for so long, Victor passes away from pneumonia. His creation finds out and then commits suicide. In essence, the thirst for revenge was the downfall of Victor Frankenstein and his creation.

Victor’s undoing occurs when the monster kills Elizabeth. Victor feels resentful against the creation and only wants to get revenge. He tells Walton, "I was awakened to revenge…I was possessed by a maddening rage when I thought of him" (Shelley 112). He wanted to get revenge on the monster for killing someone dear to him. As time passes his anger does not fade, even on his deathbed. Victor says, "Swear to me, Walton, that he shall not escape…satisfy my vengeance"(Shelley 117) knowing that he will soon pass away. Instead of trying to extend his life, he gives the burden of revenge to Walton and then passes away.

Victor’s creation also meets a similar end due to their obsession with revenge. Once the family he watched during the winter rejects him, he says, "The feelings of revenge and hatred filled my bosom…I bent my mind towards injury and death" (Shelley 76) while thinking no one will ever treat him as human. He destroys the family’s house, then hides in the forest, where he finds more information about Victor's life. After the monster kills William, he plans to obtain more satisfaction from seeing Victor suffer. To stop his anger, he asks Victor to make him a female partner who would live with him for life, but when Victor refuses, he says, "It is well. I go; but remember, I shall be with you on your wedding night" (Shelley 93). The creation wants to destroy his creator’s life but soon finds no solace in his evil actions. He resorts to suicide to remove both him and Victor from the planet when there are better options to alleviate his pain.

Victor and his creation’s obsession with revenge did not contribute anything worthwhile and ended up only causing harm. Elizabeth, William, Alphonse Frankenstein, and more members close to Victor died unfairly due to the inability of him and his creation to reach an agreement. Their lives ended prematurely for a desire that did not end with consolation. If they had not acted on their desires, they could have been able to live fulfilling lives. Their acts only affect themselves and others around them negatively.