Frankenstein
Responsibility
Why Responsibility is important in today's society
Responsibility in Frankenstein
There is time and time again that the theme of responsibility shows up in Frankenstein. The first example that is brought up is Frankenstein's responsibility to maintain a healthy lifestyle, and to look out for his well being. This is a theme that is shown early in the book, when he was working tirelessly on the creature. "For this I had deprived myself of rest and health. I had desired it with an ardor that far exceeded moderation; but now that I had finished, the beauty of the dream vanished, and breathless horror and disgust filled my heart." Chapter 5, pg. 42. Another theme is that in Frankenstein's eyes, him holding responsibility for advances in modern sciences. He was obsessed with modern advances with science and had his life consumed by it, which led to him creating the creature. "Natural philosophy is the genius that has regulated my fate; I desire, therefore, in this narration, to state those facts which led to my predilection for that science." Letter 2, pg. 4. One of the biggest occurrences of responsibility is Frankenstein's responsibility for the welfare of the monster. As soon as he created it, he had an obligation to look out for it. "A flash of lightning illuminated the object and discovered its shape plainly to me; its gigantic stature, and the deformity of its aspect, more hideous than belongs to humanity, instantly informed me that it was the wretch, the filthy demon to whom he had given life." Chapter 7, pg. 60. This quote is talking about when the creature came to life, and when Frankenstein's responsibility to the creature began. Another example of responsibility is Victor is trying to make the creature feel guilty of him him being created. "I am alone and miserable: man will not associate with me; but one as deformed and horrible as myself would not deny herself to me. My companion must be of the same species and have the same defects. This being you must create.'" Chapter 16, pg. 129. This quote explains that the monster is trying to have Victor claim the monster, thus having whole responsibility for this. This theme is also brought out throughout the book when Frankenstein feels responsible for the death of William and Justine. "I also thought of my father and surviving brother; should I by my base desertion leave them exposed and unprotected to the malice of the fiend whom I had let loose among them? " Chapter 9, pg 76. Another quote that explains that Victor is responsible for the death of William and Justine is that "I listened to this discourse with extremest agony. I, not in deed, but in effect, was the true murderer." Chapter 9, pg 77.
Victor discovering William
Victor Frankenstein
Victor Assembling the Creature
Works Cited
"SF/F Review – Frankenstein." Death Is Bad. S/F Book Club, 3 Nov. 2013. Web. 23 Mar. 2015.
- Shelley, Mary Wollstonecraft, and Maurice Hindle. Frankenstein, Or, The Modern Prometheus. London: Penguin, 2003. Print.
"Frankenstein WebQuest." HuffenEnglish. Goremaster, 16 Aug. 2011. Web. 3 Mar. 2015.