Similarities And Differences Between Victor Frankenstein And The Creature

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In Mary Shelley’s novel, Frankenstein, the main characters, Victor Frankenstein and the Creature, have many things in common. Frankenstein, a scientist, aspires to create life, and in the process creates the Creature. However, appalled by its hideous appearance, he flees and abandons the Creature. Scared and confused, the Creature attempts to integrate into human society, only to experience verbal attacks, physical abuse, and ostracization for his appearance. Throughout the novel, the reader can identify many similar characteristics between Frankenstein and the Creature, including that they both crave acceptance, both crave knowledge, both feel a sense of isolation, both desire a mate, and both become obsessed with revenge on the other. One …show more content…
After multiple instances of abuse and harassment from humans, the Creature becomes bitter about his abandonment by his creator and the poor treatment he has received from humankind. In retaliation, when he encounters William Frankenstein in the forest, he strangles him upon hearing his surname. After the murder of Frankenstein’s brother and the subsequent execution of his friend, Justine, Frankenstein agrees to meet with the Creature. The Creature demands compensation for his abandonment, and implores Frankenstein to create a female companion for him. Frankenstein initially agrees, but later decides that he does not want to take the risk of creating another monster. Upon learning that Frankenstein has ceased working on the female, the Creature expresses his anger toward Frankenstein and threatens him. Later that night, he murders Henry Clerval. Finally, Frankenstein returns home and marries Elizabeth, but on their honeymoon, the Creature sneaks into the bedroom and strangles his wife. Upon hearing the news of Elizabeth’s death, Frankenstein’s father dies of grief. After the deaths of five of his closest friends and family, Frankenstein makes it his life’s mission to enact revenge on the Creature, and pursues him across the entire globe for the remainder of his life with the intent to kill the Creature if he ever receives the …show more content…
First, they become much more similar in intelligence. Frankenstein’s ability to create life demonstrates his incredible brilliance from the beginning of the novel, but the Creature initially has very little knowledge and behaves much like a newborn child. However, after the Creature learns to speak and read, he develops the ability to reason and to speak persuasively and eloquently. By the end of the novel, both exhibit remarkable intellect and knowledge. In addition, prior to creating the Creature, Frankenstein has a large, loving group of family and friends. However, by the end of the story, the murders of Frankenstein 's family have left him completely alone, much like the Creature. Finally, Frankenstein and the Creature become more similar as they become increasingly more obsessed with revenge. By the end of the novel, Frankenstein and the Creature appear fundamentally the same: brilliant but lonely, bitter

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