The novel Frankenstein by Mary Shelley is written from the perspective of Victor Frankenstein. His actions make up the bulk of the novel and in this essay, we will be evaluating what he does or does not do from an ethical point of view. Overall, Victor Frankenstein is an extremely complex character and I would be naive to say he was either ethical or unethical with regards to his actions. Rather, the complexity of his character is developed through a myriad of arguably ethical and unethical actions.
Firstly, Frankenstein's unethical refusal to take responsibility for his actions plague the lives of those around him. The initial moment after his creation of the monster is one example. As he was 'unable to endure the aspect of …show more content…
An example is his vehemence in his plead towards Captain Walton that he not suffer from the same obsessive mistakes he did. Victor tells Walton to “learn from me [him], if not by my [his] precepts, at least by my [his] example, how dangerous is the acquirement of knowledge, and how much happier that man is who believes his native town to be the world, than he who aspires to become greater than his nature will allow”. Victor acknowledged how destructive, both to himself and others, his obsession was and feels strongly that Captain Walton understands 'how dangerous is the acquirement of knowledge'. From an ethical point of view, this is the morally right thing to do and shows that despite Frankenstein's many unethical actions throughout the novel, he recognizes his downfall and wishes Captain Walton not suffer the same.
All in all, Victor Frankenstein is an extremely complex character that was developed through both his ethical and unethical actions. I am unable to conclude whether he is an entirely ethical or unethical character, but through the novel, I am able to see his progression in the sense that he ultimately realizes the destructiveness of his actions, and while he is no longer able to change his own destiny, warns Captain Walton not to suffer the
Firstly, Frankenstein's unethical refusal to take responsibility for his actions plague the lives of those around him. The initial moment after his creation of the monster is one example. As he was 'unable to endure the aspect of …show more content…
An example is his vehemence in his plead towards Captain Walton that he not suffer from the same obsessive mistakes he did. Victor tells Walton to “learn from me [him], if not by my [his] precepts, at least by my [his] example, how dangerous is the acquirement of knowledge, and how much happier that man is who believes his native town to be the world, than he who aspires to become greater than his nature will allow”. Victor acknowledged how destructive, both to himself and others, his obsession was and feels strongly that Captain Walton understands 'how dangerous is the acquirement of knowledge'. From an ethical point of view, this is the morally right thing to do and shows that despite Frankenstein's many unethical actions throughout the novel, he recognizes his downfall and wishes Captain Walton not suffer the same.
All in all, Victor Frankenstein is an extremely complex character that was developed through both his ethical and unethical actions. I am unable to conclude whether he is an entirely ethical or unethical character, but through the novel, I am able to see his progression in the sense that he ultimately realizes the destructiveness of his actions, and while he is no longer able to change his own destiny, warns Captain Walton not to suffer the