Introduction
It is important to note that Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein is a novel that explores the consequences of unchecked ambition and scientific pursuit through the story of Victor Frankenstein and his creation, the monster. The given analysis will focus on the different ways in which Victor and the monster tell their tales, shedding light on their distinct perspectives and motivations. Consequently, Victor’s account illustrates his feelings of guilt and his recognition of his grave error, whereas the monster’s account reveals his sense of loneliness and his yearning for acceptance.
Victor’s Perspective of Events
Firstly, Victor’s account is marked by feelings of guilt and regret as he acknowledges the repercussions of his scientific pursuits. In other words, he frequently portrays his creation as a monstrous being and holds himself accountable for the damage it inflicts. For example, Victor states, “How much happier that man is who believes his native town to be his world, than he who aspires to become greater than his nature will allow” (Shelley 41). The latter statement showcases Victor’s acknowledgment of his own hubris in attempting to surpass the boundaries of nature (Romanyshyn 72). In a sense, he thinks he can create life and assume a god-like status, but upon witnessing the outcomes of his actions, he realizes he has committed a grievous error.
Monster’s Narration
Secondly, the monster’s account is marked by feelings of isolation and desertion. In other words, due to his appearance, he faces rejection from his creator and society, resulting in a life filled with loneliness and seclusion. For instance, the monster laments, “Satan had his companions, fellow devils, to admire and encourage him; but I am solitary and abhorred” (Shelley 122).
The statement indicates that even the devil himself had companions, while the monster is left completely alone. Essentially, the monster’s narrative shows his desire for acceptance and understanding (Vakili and Yousof 143). He yearns for a companion who can empathize with him and share his experiences.
Comparison
The examination of both narratives and viewpoints reveals how these diverse storytelling approaches contribute to character development within the story by emphasizing their distinct viewpoints and motivations. Victor’s account conveys his guilt and recognition of his error. He ultimately understands that he cannot dictate the results of his experiment, and his actions have led to the demise of those he cares for. This understanding aids in his maturation and increased accountability for his actions, however late it came (Aprilyandi and Ismiyati 102).
For the monster, his account highlights his feelings of isolation and his quest for acceptance. He eventually realizes that he cannot compel others to accept him and must forge his own path in life. This realization assists him in becoming more mature and self-reliant.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the distinct ways in which Victor Frankenstein and his creation tell their tales serve to emphasize their unique perspectives and motivations within the story. In essence, Victor’s account emphasizes his feelings of guilt and his recognition of his grave mistake, while the monster’s account underscores his sense of isolation and his longing for acceptance. As a result, these varying perspectives and motivations allow the reader to better understand the point of view of each character from polar opposite sides of the same storyline. Victor starts with the god complex and hubris, but later embraces simplicity and natural order, whereas the monster moves from self-hatred to some form of self-acceptance.
Works Cited
Aprilyandi, Byrendra, and Yanti Ismiyati. “An Analysis of Moral Values from The Characters in The Novel ‘Frankenstein’ by Mary Shelley.” Journal of English Language Teaching, vol. 3, no. 2, 2019, pp. 95-104. Web.
Romanyshyn, Robert D. Victor Frankenstein, the Monster and the Shadows of Technology. Routledge, 2019.
Shelley, Mary. Frankenstein. CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform, 2020.
Vakili, Lida, and Ghulam Sarwar Yousof. “The Concepts of Isolation, Loneliness, And Otherness in Selected Adaptations of Frankenstein.” The Turkish Online Journal of Design, Art and Communication, vol. 1, 2018, pp. 142-148. Web.