The Importance Of Innocence In Frankenstein

In his attempt to create a new being, Frankenstein (who is the scientist, NOT the monster), is successful. That is, he is successful until he allows his creation 's innocence to be tainted by the relentless savagery that is reality. As a result, Frankenstein 's creation becomes Frankenstein 's monster, defiled by hatred and the need for revenge. Not only did the destruction of Frankenstein’s creation’s innocence occur in Shelley’s novel but Victor Frankenstein himself turned into a monster consumed with hate and revenge
Victor Frankenstein was born into a wealthy Swiss family. Victor was privileged to an idyllic, peaceful childhood where he was loved and doted on. “I was their plaything and their idol, and something better their child, …show more content…
This thirst for knowledge would be his eventual downfall and his loss of innocence. He knew nothing but of good and wholesome thoughts before he decided to attend school where his thirst for knowledge would become unquenchable. When he was you he was to his parents, “their plaything and their idol, and something better their child, the innocent and helpless creature bestowed on them by heaven, whom they should bring up good” (Shelley 22). This is how Victor was as a child and a young man, unfortunately this innocence does not last. Once he fully becomes immersed in his schooling he becomes dangerously obsessed, teetering on the edge of sanity. “From this day natural philosophy, and particularly chemistry, in the most comprehensive sense of the term, became nearly my sole occupation” (Shelley 33). He became truly obsessive over all the possibilities of science and through countless hours of planning and calculating he created the monster. This was the actual turning point for Victor in the story because although he did it unwittingly he had created the monster which irrevocably would lead him to his loss of innocence. As the novel goes on everyone Victor once cared for are decimated in the path of his creation. “I was possessed by a maddening rage when I thought of him and desired and ardently prayed that I might have him within my grasp to wreak a great …show more content…
The most obvious case of lost innocence involves Victor. A young man on the cusp of adulthood, Victor leaves for university with high hopes and lofty ambitions. He aims to explore "unknown powers" and enlighten all of humanity to the deepest "mysteries of creation," but his success and his pride brings an end to his innocence. He creates a monster that reflects back to him the many flaws inherent in his own species (an unquenchable thirst for love, a tendency toward violence, and a bloodthirsty need for justice and revenge) and in himself (prejudice based on appearance). And, in turn, Victor 's cruel "un-innocent" behavior also destroys the monster 's