Notes

Frankenstein Essay Albert Chen

Moral ambiguity is important to Frankenstein and the work as a whole. When considering the main characters of Frankenstein, we think of Victor and his creature, both are very different but also alike. Yet they play a significant role in establishing Frankenstein. But why is this so important? Because it allows one to see a deeper meaning into the novel and understand the significance of ambiguity. By viewing the characters as morally ambiguous, one can see the different sides of the story and how it changes our perception of Frankenstein.

So what makes a character ambiguous? Throughout Frankenstein, the creature is regularly portrayed as a monster. He is shunned from everyone and is misunderstood. This causes the creature to feel secluded from the rest of society. He detests Victor for creating him and abandoning him. Victor was the one who caused him such anguish and misery. “Have I not suffered enough, that you seek to increase my misery? I was benevolent and good; misery made me a fiend.” When they meet, the creature proclaims that he has the capacity to be good or evil. “If you will comply with my conditions, I will leave them and you at peace; but if you refuse, I will glut the maw of death, until it be satiated with the blood of your remaining friends.” The creature only wanted a companion, but was never given one, so instead became a monster that society shaped him to be.

Just like the creature, Victor can also be seen as ambiguous. He never directly kills someone, but by remaining silent and not taking action he hurts those around him. “I beheld those I loved spend vain sorrow upon the graves of William and Justine, the first hapless victims to my unhallowed arts.” Victor has endangered his family and friends and most of all, hurt his creation by not owning up to his mistakes. As the novel progresses, Viktor becomes obsessed with his selfish desires. At first, Victor acted out on impulse which eventually leads to his obsession to create life; neglecting his health and relationships. “The same feelings which made me neglect the scenes around me caused me also to forget those friends who were so many miles absent, and whom I had not seen for so long a time.” Then, Victor becomes driven by revenge and focuses solely on vengeance. He pushes his loved ones away and becomes essentially, a monster devoid of any thought but to kill his creation.

Ambiguity is significant, because it allows one to see different perspectives from the two opposing characters. It also allows one to understand why those characters make different choices, whether good or evil. The creature started out with nothing, but was labeled a monster just because of his appearance. Victor had it all, a loving family and caring friends but he pushed them away and chose to keep his deadly secret to himself. Ironically, Victor becomes a monster, isolating himself from the rest of society and willing to do anything for revenge. “I must pursue and destroy the being to whom I gave existence; then my lot on earth will be fulfilled, and I may die.” On the other hand, the creature is more human than Victor, because he feels remorse for what he had done to Victor. “I pitied Frankenstein; my pity amounted to horror: I abhorred myself.” Without different perspectives from the two characters, Frankenstein would have been a a very different story. Without ambiguity however, Frankenstein wouldn’t have been Frankenstein. One would not be able to understand the complexity of the characters and the decisions they make. The beauty of ambiguity is that the reader can decide what occurs in the character's mind based on the actions that the characters make themselves. It changes our perception of the work as a whole, and that is what makes ambiguity so special.