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Victor Frankenstein, Not the Monster, as the True Villain in Frankenstein Essay

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Introduction

The debate over who the real antagonist is in Mary Shelley’s famous novel Frankenstein has persisted for a long time. At first glance, the monster can seem to be the villain due to its bizarre origins and grotesque personality. It becomes apparent upon closer examination that his fixation on the mystery of life, his neglect of the creator’s responsibility, and his lack of empathy for his creation make Victor Frankenstein more responsible for the tragic events. Therefore, it can be concluded that Victor Frankenstein, rather than his creation, is the real villain in the story, with his actions and carelessness leading to terrible consequences.

Main Body

Victor’s inability to accept responsibility for his creation is evidence of his villainy. As soon as the monstrous creature comes to life, Victor is startled by its appearance and flees, abandoning it just as it is in danger. This abandonment has terrible repercussions, influencing the creature’s later destructive tendencies and hostility toward humans. Victor also regularly shows a lack of compassion for the loneliness and pain the creature experiences, which may be considered a moral fault.

Victor’s inability to take responsibility for what he has produced is evidence of his malice. Victor runs in terror after seeing his creature take on a monster shape, abandoning his helpless creation just as it needs him the most. The severe effects of such abandonment influence the creature’s future deeds of devastation and hostility toward humans. His persistent disregard also demonstrates Victor’s moral failings for the creature’s suffering and lonesomeness.

Conclusion

It is simple to write off the creature in Frankenstein. However, a closer look reveals that Victor Frankenstein and society are to blame. Victor lays the foundation for the fatal events that transpire due to his obsession with success and carelessness. Society’s harsh and prejudiced rejection of the creature significantly shapes the creature’s destructive course. Therefore, Shelley’s story is a cautionary tale about unbridled ambition and the effects of societal discrimination.

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"Victor Frankenstein, Not the Monster, as the True Villain in Frankenstein." IvyPanda, 22 Jan. 2025, ivypanda.com/essays/victor-frankenstein-not-the-monster-as-the-true-villain-in-frankenstein/.

References

IvyPanda. (2025) 'Victor Frankenstein, Not the Monster, as the True Villain in Frankenstein'. 22 January. (Accessed: 23 March 2025).

References

IvyPanda. 2025. "Victor Frankenstein, Not the Monster, as the True Villain in Frankenstein." January 22, 2025. https://ivypanda.com/essays/victor-frankenstein-not-the-monster-as-the-true-villain-in-frankenstein/.

1. IvyPanda. "Victor Frankenstein, Not the Monster, as the True Villain in Frankenstein." January 22, 2025. https://ivypanda.com/essays/victor-frankenstein-not-the-monster-as-the-true-villain-in-frankenstein/.


Bibliography


IvyPanda. "Victor Frankenstein, Not the Monster, as the True Villain in Frankenstein." January 22, 2025. https://ivypanda.com/essays/victor-frankenstein-not-the-monster-as-the-true-villain-in-frankenstein/.

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