Victor's depiction of the Monster The role of Society
As soon as his creation awakes, Victor When referring to himself, the Monster often seems to appropriate the same
refers to it as a “miserable monster”. type of insulting language used by Victor.
The Monster himself claims that it was “misery” which turned him into a
The Monster “fiend”.
In Volume Two, when Shelley presents the This could be read as proof of society’s ability to create monster’s through its
Monster’s narrative, the reader is surprised by treatment of others.
how eloquent and intelligent he seems to be.
This contrasts with Victor, who throws
constant insults at the Monster and desires to
engage him in combat.
Victor monstrosity
Victor is moved by the Monster’s
appeal for a companion and agrees to
create one.
The Monster’s sensitive and well
thought-out argument at this stage
heightens the reader’s sense of
Victor’s cruelty and monstrosity when
he destroys the companion.
Victor's monstrosity Victor's monstrosity cont Victor Vs the Monster
The manner in which Victor is so quick to “I had worked hard for nearly two years, for The language with which
dismiss and abandon the Monster, after the sole purpose of infusing life into an Victor addresses the Monster
Shelley has presented his substantial toil in inanimate body. For this I had deprived could also be read as more
creating it and bringing it to life, perhaps
myself of rest and health. I had desired it monstrous than that of the
suggests that Victor himself is monstrous.
His treatment of his creation is especially with an ardour that far exceeded creation.
shocking in light of his own, idyllic upbringing. moderation; but now that I had finished, the Shelley purposely contrasts
beauty of the dream vanished, and Victor's brutal and violent
breathless horror and disgust filled my insults with the Monster's
heart." eloquence in order to bring
"Unable to endure the aspect of the being I into question which character
had created, I rushed out of the room...” is more 'monstrous'.
(Chapter 5)
Victor Vs the Monster Cont The Monster
"Abhorred monster! fiend that thou art! the tortures of hell are too The moment in which the Monster sees his own
mild a vengeance for thy crimes. Wretched devil! you reproach me with reflection perhaps allows him to understand why
your creation; come on, then, that I may extinguish the spark which I so people in society have reacted to him how they
negligently bestowed." (Volume Two: Chapter 2) have.
He seems to feel that his unpleasant appearance
makes him the Monster that others think he is.
Perhaps Shelley is criticising the superficial
judgements of society, by demonstrating the
emotional impact they can have on people.
The Monster’s Self Reflection Victor's monstrosity
“I had admired the perfect forms of my The violence with which the destruction of the second creature is enacted
cottagers -- their grace, beauty, and again suggests the brutality of Victor.
delicate complexions: but how was I This is furthered by the fact that Victor does this in front of the Monster,
terrified when I viewed myself in a making him seem sadistic and unnecessarily cruel.
transparent pool!"
"I was filled with the bitterest
sensations of despondence and Victor's monstrosity Cont
mortification.” (Volume Two: Chapter 4) “I thought with a sensation of madness on my promise to create another
like him, and trembling with passion, tore to pieces the thing on which I
was engaged."
"The wretch saw me destroy the creature on whose future existence he
depended for happiness, and, with a howl of devilish despair and
revenge, withdrew.” (Volume Three: Chapter 3)
