The real villain of Frankenstein is not the creature despite his appearance and evil deeds. The real monster and antagonist of the novel is Victor, his creator. He first gives life to the beast pretending himself to be a God. Then, he abandons him, neither killing him nor teaching him the correct life principles.
Detailed answer:
At first glance, the monster’s character in Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein raises no doubt. Victor’s creature is called “daemon” or “fiend” throughout the book and has a respective appearance. Even his maker mentions feeling “breathless horror and disgust” upon seeing the result of his efforts. The creature first kills Victor’s younger brother William and then his innocent bride Elizabeth. However, this being is just a product of his creator. The maker’s arrogance and selfishness made all the tragedies possible.
Victor, the creature’s originator, was a man of profound scientific knowledge but poor moral background. Living in isolation, he wanted to take God’s role and create a human being that would love him. Victor collected a pile of bones and muscles and gave it life. Then, he saw the awful creature that appeared and realized it was too much for him to handle. Victor did not want to kill him or to bring him up like a father. He abandoned the creature without taking responsibility for his actions.
Victor refused to take charge of the creature and fix his reckless deeds. He became the one to blame for the consequences. The beast accused his maker of detesting and despising him. Victor deprived him of any childhood care, a family, and a person he would love. This made the monster an evil character. Thus, Victor is the true monster in Frankenstein and the real villain to blame for all the innocent deaths.
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