English Oral Commentary- Frankenstein. In this passage in chapter 20, Shelley highlights the hatred Victor Frankenstein has for the monster and vice versa.

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In this passage in chapter 20, Shelley highlights the hatred Victor Frankenstein has for the monster and vice versa.  By including this dialogue between the monster and Victor Frankenstein, readers are given an insight into the intense relationship between the two, and can understand why the monster chooses to terrorize Victor.      

At the beginning of the passage, the monster asks Victor, “Do you dare destroy my hopes?”  The monster uses the word “destroy” to emphasize the fact that all his hopes and dreams of finally being with a lover were lost forever.   When victor destroyed his second creation, he eliminated the whole purpose of the monster’s life.  This betrayal makes readers sympathetic towards the monster, and readers can understand the reasons behind the monster’s pain and sorrow.  

        

This question, “Do you dare destroy my hopes?” also proves the ability of the monster to reason with victor.  His plea for victor to save the second creation can be interpreted as the monster’s last warning to victor.    The monster makes it very clear to Victor that if he does not keep his promise, he would terrorize Victor.  However, Victor does not fall into the pressure of the monster, indicating his immense hatred he has towards his creations.  He is willing to risk his life before creating another monster of equal “deformity” and “wickedness” for purposes of helping the monster.

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After the monster’s demand was declined by Victor, the tone of the monster changed.  He calls Victor a “slave,” due to his enraged state of mind.    The monster’s choice to use the word slave is also important to this passage.  It is at this point where the monster realizes that victor is indeed the slave of his own creation, something he will be haunted by for the rest of his life.  This change of tone is also important, because readers can identify anger in the monsters words, fueled by Victor’s stubbornness and hatred.  

The monster’s anger ...

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