Frankenstein

Once the De Lacey family deserts the monster, how does he seek revenge upon Victor? Is he good or bad at heart after all this?

This would be a good question for the discussion board.

I do not believe the monster is bad.  He has been created through no fault of his own.  He is a product of someone who is trying to play God, which is very dangerous territory.  I've always felt sorry for the monster because he experiences human emotions, yet he also has such anger built up inside of him because he doesn't understand who he is and why he is so hideous.  He only seeks revenge because he is frustrated and angry.  I don't believe he truly intended to do great harm at all.

The monster is just like a newborn baby when he's first created. Instead of a"mother" nurturing him, however, Frankenstein runs away from his creature because of his horrific appearance. The De Lacey family provides the creature with a view of how wonderful life can be with people who love you. This is why the monster asks the doctor to create a mate for him, someone with whom he can share love and life. Frankenstein rejects this idea, taking away any chance the creature might have for happiness. Frankenstein's refusal and society's fear of the creature leaves the monster with a taste for revenge. Then the creature kills Frankenstein's brother and sets up Justine to be accused of his murder. His last two murders are Clerval and Elizabeth, Frankenstein's wife. The creature wants his creator to feel the loneliness that he feels without anyone to love and care for, so he kills everyone who is important to the doctor.

Only you can decide if you think the monster is bad, or is it his creator who is evil? The creature's environment determines his actions, so do you think Frankenstein should have provided his creation with a proper environment? Go to the links below for a more detailed explanation that will help you decide how you feel.

The creature responds to his surroundings, and Victor is largely responsible for the things that occur where the creature is concerned.  Think of this:  a baby is fed peas and does not like them.  He throws them back at his mother and covers the room in green slime.  Is he a "bad" baby for not liking peas?  No, and he's not bad for throwing them, either.  It's an instinct...a reaction to distaste, but it is not a premeditated action...at least not the first time.

The creature is the same.  When he is created, he smiles at Victor.  He even tells us in his own chapters that he was benevolent and kind and full of love for his "father" and humankind.  Victor abandons the creature and leaves him to the harsh world of judgemental humans.  The creature is abnormally tall, ugly, and strong.  People predetermine that he is something to be feared and struck down...rather like the pitchfork scene in Shrek.

The creature is beaten, chased, and when the De Lacey family leaves him, he is without all hope of ever being accepted into society.  He therefore decides to seek revenge on his creator, Victor, who has carelessly thrown the creature to the destiny that fate holds for him. 

The creature explains that he just wants to be happy.  When Victor again denies him this by refusing the female, the creature swears that Victor will not be happy either.  I don't think this makes him evil...just human.