However, whatever his feelings were towards the creature during the previous night, I believe that it is only with the arrival of morning that they are fully realised. As soon as the ‘sixth hour’ comes and the gates are opened, he flees the scene in a hope to ‘avoid the wretch whom I feared’. It is this statement that brings the reader to realise that the night’s actions were conducted through an immense fear of the creature.
After this horrific meeting, the two do not set eyes upon each other for a matter of years. Frankenstein is, however, reminded of the creature’s presence when he travels to Geneva, upon receiving the letter regarding his brother’s death. He becomes so overwhelmed with grief at the loss of William that he forgets about the creature for the entirety of the journey to Geneva.
It is only upon arriving at the house that he sees ‘the filthy demon’ emerging from the tree line. Even though he merely glimpses the creature’s form, he quickly recognises it as the creation that he ‘had given life to’. Although only said in passing, this phrase is Frankenstein recognising that he is responsible, not only for the creature, but for its actions. He goes on to ponder whether or not the creature could have been responsible for his brother’s death, soon coming to the unwilling conclusion that, ‘he was the murderer’. He is so shocked by the idea that he is forced to rest against a tree. It is at this moment that he really considers the fact that he was the one that had ‘turned loose on the world a depraved wretch’. This is the first of the many signs that Frankenstein is starting to consider whether the experiment was worth the terrible consequences he now has to suffer. He is also beginning to realise that they are ‘bound together’ and that he is merely beginning a horrific journey that can only end with the death of the creature.
This pain he feels is multiplied tenfold when he discovers that Justine, his childhood friend, has been accused of the murder. He immediately attempts to help the ‘poor, poor girl’, as he knows that the accusation ‘is wrongful’. However, although he swears to know the true identity of the murderer, he will not reveal it. This protective behaviour could be due to one of two things. Either Frankenstein still has feelings towards his creation and does not want to see it destroyed. It could however be that he is scared that he will ultimately be held responsible for the creature’s actions.
The ninth chapter sees Frankenstein’s immense melancholy come to the surface. ‘I was seized by a sense of guilt, which hurried me away to a hell of intense tortures, such as which language cannot describe’; it is this comment that starts off the theme of Frankenstein’s self-loathing that continues throughout the rest of the book. Indeed it is this immense feeling of self-pity and loathing that drives him to contemplating suicide whilst rowing in a nearby lake.
His emotional break down is not helped by the fact that the monster has ‘ordered’ him to meet him in the mountains. This new feeling of horror at actually having to meet with the monster, only adds to the perpetual fear within his mind, that the monster ‘whom I had created should perpetrate some new wickedness’. These feelings are all he has whilst he describes his solitary ascent up the mountain, towards the creature.
Now, the environment that he once saw as a ‘place for self-reflection and spiritual awakening’ has seemingly turned into some hell that only leads to the creature. He is lowered to asking the ‘wandering spirits’, if they have some solace from his problems. Soon however, even this solace becomes impossible as ‘the wretch’ confronts him. Frankenstein’s fragile state of mind is immediately bombarded by the threats that the creature ‘will glut the maw of death, until it be satisfied with the blood of your remaining friends’, if he does not listen to the creature’s story.
It is at this point that Frankenstein is forced to make the decision as to whether he should stand up against the monster and fight it, or simply allow the stronger to rule the weaker. Considering the state of mind Frankenstein has been in, contemplating suicide and lolling in self-loathing, it is of the utmost surprise when he stands up to the creature. Frankenstein’s challenge; ‘Begone, vile insect! Or rather, stay, that I may trample you to dust’, is very strong and is uttered as if he believes he could take on this monster and defeat it.
Even more surprising is when Frankenstein actually launches a physical attack on the creature. This only goes to show how strong his feelings are against this monster, for it is only when a man is at the very depths of self-loathing, that they would risk their life’s against an unbeatable force. However, as the creature states, he is stronger and easily eludes Frankenstein. This in itself is surprising as, due to its past discrepancies, the reader has been led to believe that the creature would respond to Frankenstein’s attack with a far more devastating one of his own. Because of this the reader is made to view both parties in a new light. Now we see Frankenstein as the unforgiving monster and the creature as the understanding thoughtful one.
We can infer from the language used by both parties that the monster is attempting to create a peaceful meeting. The creature entreats Frankenstein to ‘Be calm!’ and listen to him. It then goes on to ask Frankenstein ‘to hear me, before you give vent to your hatred on my devoted head’, not only is it not responding to the acts of violence, but is in someway condoning them, and using them as a bargaining tool to convince Frankenstein to listen to its story. However, Frankenstein refuses to listen and continues to besiege the creature both verbally and physically; ‘Begone, or let us test our strength’. Finally, after much debating between the two Frankenstein’s level headedness returns and it seems that he begins to understand the colossal power of the creature. It is now that Frankenstein is forced to, albeit against his will; listen to the creature’s story.
Chapters 11 through to 16 are all about the actions of the creature ever since Frankenstein created it. These include the story about the De Lacy family, and also that of the murder of William and framing of Justine. Throughout these chapters Frankenstein is left helpless, simply having to sit and listen to the creature’s tale. It does however; help the reader in understanding the creature a little more. He spends much time telling of how he sat and read Frankenstein’s diary and contemplated his future.
At last the creature finishes his story, he then places Frankenstein in a most difficult position, when he asks for him to create him a partner ‘with whom I can live in the interchange of those sympathies necessary for my being’. Not only does this provide Frankenstein with a terrible moral dilemma, but he must also decide whether he would rather release another of these monsters or save his family.
However, sighting the destruction that the creature has already caused, Frankenstein decides to refuse the creature in his request for a female. He very strongly states that ‘no torture shall ever extort a consent from me’, this shows that his feelings towards the creature are growing ever more defiant. This may be because he is starting to fear for his family and believes this is the only way to protect both them and the rest of humanity.
Finally, after several threats concerning the deaths of everyone Frankenstein holds dear, he gives in. This shows that he either has a certain amount of respect for the sheer power of the creature or, now having heard of the atrocities it has committed, believes that a refusal could result in unimaginable consequences. Gone however is the fear; all that is left is a mutual respect between the two. Frankenstein knows he cannot kill the creature, and the creature knows that Frankenstein is the only person capable of producing a partner for him. Because of this Frankenstein leaves the mountains still wishing that the stars themselves would ‘crush sensation and memory’ from him, so that he may escape the creature and the ‘most abhorred task’ that lay ahead of him.
It is also during this point of the narrative that Shelley introduces the idea of ‘the double’; this is where the author writes two enemies as mirrors of each other. In this context it is used to describe how Frankenstein is in some ways like a mirror of his creation. The creature is forever trying to find acceptance into society, this is shown many a time such as when he attempts to enter the village that he can only describe as ‘miraculous’ only to be attacked and chased from the village. On the other hand, Frankenstein shuns away civilization whilst he works on his creation.
For several months Frankenstein avoids the task that the creature has set ahead of him and travels with Clerval for a tour of England. During his time spent in London he attempts to put thoughts of the creature to the back of his mind. Eventually, however, it gets to a point that he cannot keep his feelings subdued and he asks Clerval to leave him for a few weeks, so he may work. Whilst once again in solitude, Frankenstein explains how although, ‘I looked forward to its completion with a tremulous and eager hope’, he still feared the consequences of his actions as even these thoughts of hope were ‘intermixed with obscure forebodings of evil’.
Frankenstein sets to the task of creating a partner for his creature with a renewed vigour, powered by his love for his family and friends, until one evening as he sat in his laboratory, he thought back to the time three years ago, when he was conducting the first experiment. He thought of the creature he was creating and, like the first, ‘whose disposition I was alike ignorant’. He has no idea as to whether this partner for the creature will abide by the first’s promise to quit the country, for the deserts of South America. Even more troubling to him is the thought that the two may breed and produce a race of their own. It is these thoughts that show the reader the utter distrust Frankenstein feels towards the creature. The only reason he can give himself for doing the creatures bidding is the threats. He then goes on to explain the strength of these feelings;
‘I shuddered to think that future ages might curse me as their pest, whose selfishness had not hesitated to by its own peace at the price, perhaps, of the existence of the whole human race.’
This statement shows that he has thought about his actions. Taking into consideration not only his losses but also those of the whole human race, present and future.
His thoughts, however, are soon disrupted as he spies the creature at the window, as ‘a ghastly grin wrinkled his lips as he gazed on me’. This shows how the creature believes he has Frankenstein under his control. Frankenstein explains how its countenance seemed to portray a feeling of utter malice and treachery. It thinks it can do as it likes and believes that Frankenstein is now merely an instrument for him to use at will.
However, what the creature has failed to realise is the change in Frankenstein’s countenance, from that of a scared and helpless man, to that of a strong defiant character. It is this change in character which drives Frankenstein to ‘tremble with passion’, as he ‘tore to pieces the thing on which I was engaged’. This action not only raises Frankenstein’s moral and self-confidence, but also drives the creature into a state of madness and disbelief. Frankenstein is beginning to realise that the creature does not have control over him and, unlike before, the bond no longer exists; he is beginning to believe that he can defeat the monster.
As if to prove his defiance, Frankenstein does not enter into his laboratory again until the day he is planning to leave. However, the creature does seem to overcome its loss and endeavours to approach Frankenstein for a conversation. Even though Frankenstein was scared as he heard footsteps in the passage, he puts on a brave face and once again speaks to the creature in a defiant tone as he vows; ‘never will I create another like yourself’. The conversation finishes with the creature using what it sees as its last source of leverage over Frankenstein, it once again repeats the threat that he will be with Frankenstein on his wedding night.
Although shaken by the creature’s threats he continues on his travels until he finally arrives back in Geneva. He rejoins Elizabeth and they once again declare their love for each other. The night of the wedding finally arrives and, without becoming complacent, Frankenstein tries his best to enjoy himself, while still carrying a pistol in fear of the creature returning. Much to his surprise the day passes uneventfully. Once Elizabeth has retired he secretly checks for his ‘most abhorred creature’. This suggests that, although he showed some compassion towards the creature’s story, he still fears that it may be true to its word.
However, through his anxiousness and agitation he has not realised that the creature is already in the house, until he hears ‘a shrill and dreadful scream’ emanating from Elizabeth’s room. Immediately he realised his mistake and in a fit of breathless terror he runs to her room. It is while holding her in his arms that, through the light of the moon, he sees the figure of the creature. His past feelings of defiance are turned to those of utter hatred and loathing as he spies the ‘most hideous and abhorred’ figure pointing at the corpse of his dead wife.
The creature seems to have destroyed Frankenstein’s life and he rebukes all who try to console him. Even the magistrate investigating the murder is tossed aside as if the murder was his fault. All Frankenstein can think of is his hatred for the creature and the need for revenge.
In the final chapter of the book, after losing all he holds dear, Frankenstein resolves to destroy the creature once and for all. After being sent through a frenzy of emotions throughout the duration of the creature’s life, he is finally ‘hurried away by fury’; with revenge the only thought in his mind. Any past feelings he may have had for the creature are replaced by a pure loathsome hatred.
He chases the creature for days; Frankenstein notes how the creature leaves food and shelter behind for him. He takes this as being a sick jest to make him follow. It could however, be that the creature has kept a cool head throughout and still cares for the health of his creator. However, Frankenstein continues to profess that not only the creature, but everyone and everything around him is mocking him. Finally they reach the North Pole where Frankenstein meets up with Walton on his ship. At this point, Frankenstein is so ill that Walton takes over the narrative.
Shelley uses language well here to show how Frankenstein’s emotions are so strong that Walton can still see them, even through the dark panes of illness. Walton writes in his letters to his sister how the only thing keeping Frankenstein alive is the chance of revenge against this creature.
Realising he can no longer hunt the creature, Frankenstein, in desperation, implores Walton and his crew to continue the hunt, until the world is rid of ‘the wretch he released on the world’. However, with his health continuously declining he seems to come to an understanding that it is his responsibility alone, and as if ‘a film had been removed from before my eyes’, he seems to realise that he needs to stand and face his enemy alone. Unfortunately his health continues to decline and Walton finally declares him dead.
Whilst standing on the deck of his ship, Walton hears ‘a human voice, but hoarser’, coming from the cabin. He immediately rushes to the side of the dead Frankenstein. Only to be, like all the others who have beheld the creature, abhorred by a sight he ‘cannot find words to describe’. However, he stands his ground and speaks with the creature, only to be bought to the realisation that the creature has been broken by the death of its creator, the only person that seemed to it to be a ‘generous and self-devoted being’. It goes on to explain how it only conducted its wretched deeds through jealousy. Its heart had been made to be ‘susceptible to love’, it requires love and after receiving none himself and seeing Frankenstein surrounded by friends and love, it was driven into a jealous rage. This, it says, is what pushed it to committing such atrocities.
The creature implores Walton to allow him to stay on the ice with the body of his creator so it may die and join Frankenstein once more. It is at this point that the reader realises the creature deserves far more sympathy than first thought. It has only been with the change in narration that the reader has been able to see how frustrated the monster has been. Because of this, the last scene of the creature on the ice and the boat sailing away leaves the reader feeling a great amount of sympathy for the creature. It may have committed murder and driven Frankenstein to the brink of insanity, but it seems to be telling the truth when it says it did this because it envied Frankenstein, and wanted to be him. Once again Shelley uses the idea of the double; Frankenstein was getting all the love and attention when he didn’t really want anyone. Conversely, the creature has been shunned by humanity and the one person it had feelings towards; when all it wanted was someone to love.
Frankenstein (or The Modern Prometheus) was written for an audience very different to that of any from today’s modern society. However, it still retains its basic morals and ideas that can appeal to a timeless audience. The idea of not taking anyone in on simply face value is a very strong theme in the book. Especially in the time it was written and even in modern society, anyone with extreme deformities will always be seen as a danger, no matter who or what they may be.
The other predominant theme is that of ‘the double’, many see Frankenstein as being a mirror of his creature. He has everything at times he doesn’t want it, such as family and friends around when they are under threat, and chooses to do nothing about it in fear of endangering himself. The creature on the other hand has nothing of what it wants such as love or acceptance, even though it tries as hard as it can to be kind and peaceful. This is shown well when it helps the De Lacy family, but on appearance to them he is scorned and chased away.
This also links into the idea that they were both ‘bound together until death’. Neither could find the inner strength to leave the other. Frankenstein is constantly thinking of his creation and what he has done. He comes to the conclusion that he himself will not be able to rest until the creature is dead. In this sense he is most definitely bound to the creature until a time that it is killed.
The creature on the other hand has mixed reasons for needing Frankenstein. It seems, through most of the story that it only wants him so he can create a partner for it. However, upon nearing the end of the book and Walton’s narrative, it is realised that the creature stayed close, as Frankenstein was the only person that showed enough compassion to even sit and talk with it let alone show some sort of acceptance.
