He says, “a mummy again endued with animation could not be so hideous as that wretch.” This means that, the monster is so ugly that comparing it to a mummy is impossible. Frankenstein cannot see his past the monsters horrible features. He won’t get to know the monster and assumes his a horrible creature based on his looks.
After creating the monster, he decides to run away because he cannot bear to look at the outcome of his creation. If Victor had given the monster a chance than judging him on his appearance, it would have a led to a better fortune for his family.
Frankenstein describes the monster as a ‘wretch’ and ‘horror’. He also says, “Oh! No mortal could support the horror of that countenance.” Shelley uses these words to portray the monsters ugly looks and to also portray Victor’s insensitiveness, as he immediately judges the monster solely on his appearance not considering his feelings.
Chapter 5 uses Gothic elements such as grotesque (the description of the monster), the eerie environment (Victor’s laboratory during his creation) and some type of psychic communication (Victor’s feelings of someone following him). Also this chapter builds fear in the reader’s mind which is another big part of Gothic writing.
Chapter is a very important point in the novel because it talks about rejection which is the main key point of the story. Mary Shelley uses many uses different literary techniques in order to create a vivid image in the mind of the reader and to bring her writing to life. The theory of chapter 5 is very similar to things that occur in reality such as loneliness and isolation, the horror of child birth and judging by appearance.
After reading the novel, one would often find asking themselves, “Who is the real monster?” People would often give the obvious answer which is the monster created by Frankenstein.
Contrary to initial perceptions, Victor, the creator is the real monster. His ambition to create life caused him to become the real monster.
Victor displayed many acts of selfishness which causes him to be the real monster. When the monster threatened to Victor that he would be with him on his wedding night, Even though he knew the chances of death occurring was high, he still went ahead to marry Elizabeth. Although he could have prevented the death of many innocent ones throughout the novel he still pretended to be ignorant and went on with his acts of selfishness. Also his strong hatred toward his creation makes him the real monster in the story. Victor shows his monstrous attitudes through his changes in his priorities, cowardice actions and his poor judgement. The fact that he also tries to play God by cheating death and creating life is also monstrous.
In conclusion, Victor’s goal to generate life caused a great deal of pain through his ambition, selfishness and secrecy, both to himself and others around him. As a result, these acts caused him to become alienated from society and turned him into the real monster.