Frankenstein analysis

We recently finished reading Frankenstein, and the kids had to respond to a writing prompt asking who was to blame for the tragedies that take place in the book: Victor, the Monster, or society in general. What follows is my attempt at an answer. We also have Katie's, Luke's, and Alex's responses.

Assigning blame in Frankenstein

Victor Frankenstein’s Creature bears little resemblance to the popular Halloween caricature. The Creature is articulate and intelligent, curious and kind–at least initially–and eager to find a place for himself in the world. His development goes awry, however, and by the end of Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein: or, the Modern Prometheus, the Creature has murdered three people–Victor’s brother, William; his best friend, Clerval; and his wife, Elizabeth–and is responsible for the deaths of three more–Victor’s family friend, his father, and, ultimately, of Victor himself.

The evolution of the Creature’s character is one of the central themes of the novel. He is “born” innocent and naive to the world, but quickly experiences a series of rejections–first by Victor himself, his father-Creator; then by the first person he meets, an elderly shepherd; crucially, by Felix De Lacey following several months spent observing the family; by the father of a young girl, who shoots him after the Creature saves his daughter from drowning. Cumulatively, these rejections turn his naivete into something dark and rageful and into a desire to exact revenge on Victor.

Two questions arise: Firstly, who is to “blame” for the murders? Secondly, who is to “blame” for the degeneration of the Creature’s character from curious naivete to rageful revenge?

The obvious answer to both questions is that the responsibility and blame lie with the Creature. He is, after all, a thinking, sentient being with full power of self-control. He commits murder against William, Clerval, and Elizabeth. The first murder occurs in a moment of passion, but the others are premeditated and planned–in Elizabeth’s case, for years in advance. By the legal measure of any country he is guilty of heinous crimes.

It is also straightforward to lay some responsibility with Victor. He created the Creature without regard for the consequences, without even considering the possible consequences, without a plan for what would come after the moment of creation. His rejection of the Creature in those initial moments leads, almost inevitably, to the later events of the story. The Creature tells us, “[My Creator] had abandoned me, and in the bitterness of my heart, I cursed him.” [Ch. 15]

We should not discount, however, the large share of blame that society as a whole has in the tragic events. In the novel, “society” is represented by the encounters the Creature has with people outside of Victor’s immediate circle–most notably with Felix De Lacey’s father and with Felix himself. Upon introducing himself to the elderly, blind, De Lacey in the De Lacey’s cottage, the Creature intimates that he needs help, and the old man responds favorably.  

[Creature:] “...I trust that, by your aid, I shall not be driven from the society and sympathy of your fellow-creatures”
[De Lacey responds:] “Heaven forbid! even if you were really criminal; for that can only drive you to desperation, and not instigate you to virtue.”  [Ch. 15]

In this exchange we have an explicit link by De Lacey between one’s character and one’s place in society–to be “driven” from society leads to “desperation” and away from “virtue.” Which, of course, is exactly what follows: in the next moment, Felix arrives, violently drives the Creature away, and moves his family out of the country. We do not hear from the De Laceys again, and the Creature’s murders and revenge on Victor begin in the next chapter.

We have a lot of evidence linking criminal behavior to anti-social conditions, and it seems self-evident that humans without a place in society lose respect for that society’s norms, customs, and laws. In the novel, though, it is difficult to apportion blame between the Creature, Victor, and “society.” Are you committed to concepts of individual responsibility and self-will? You are likely to lay blame primarily with the Creature. If, on the other hand, you believe that degeneracy of character usually results from circumstances, then you will primarily blame society. Personally, I tend to believe that circumstances dictate outcomes, so I lay the larger share of blame with society; other readers may reach other conclusions according to their personal beliefs.