Mary Shelley's Frankenstein has long prompted readers to question the nature of monstrosity. While the Creature, with its grotesque appearance and violent acts, seems the obvious candidate, a closer examination of Victor Frankenstein's character and actions reveals a far more insidious form of evil. Victor's ambition, his profound irresponsibility, and his relentless pursuit of vengeance ultimately make him the true monster in Shelley's enduring novel, far surpassing the suffering and misdeeds of his animated creation.
Victor's initial transgression is driven by an unchecked ambition, a desire to transcend human limitations and play God. His obsession with unlocking the secrets of life leads him to neglect every other facet of his existence, including his family, his studies, and his own well-being. He describes his work with a feverish intensity: "I pursued nature to her hiding-places... I had desired it with an ardour that far exceeded moderation." This singular focus blinds him to the ethical implications of his endeavor. When the Creature is finally animated, Victor's reaction is not one of awe or paternal concern, but of immediate horror and disgust. He abandons his creation the moment it opens its eyes, an act of profound cruelty that sets the stage for all subsequent tragedies. This abandonment is not merely a momentary lapse; it is a fundamental abdication of responsibility. He created life but refused to guide it, nurture it, or even acknowledge it.
The Creature's subsequent descent into violence is a direct consequence of this initial abandonment and the subsequent rejection he faces from humanity. Initially, the Creature is benevolent, observing the De Lacey family with a longing for connection and understanding. He learns language, compassion, and the nuances of human society from afar. His first instinct is to seek companionship, not violence. However, every attempt he makes at peaceful integration is met with fear and revulsion, culminating in the brutal rejection by the De Laceys themselves. This consistent ostracism, stemming from his appearance, fuels his despair and rage. He articulates this clearly to Victor: "I was benevolent and good; misery made me a fiend. Make me happy, and I shall again become virtuous." His acts of vengeance, while horrific, are born out of a profound sense of injustice and a desperate, unfulfilled need for acceptance.
Conversely, Victor’s monstrosity is characterized by a conscious, ongoing choice to prioritize his own emotional comfort and reputation over the well-being of others. After his initial abandonment, he refuses to acknowledge his role in the Creature's actions. He blames the Creature entirely, conveniently forgetting the circumstances of its birth. When William is murdered, Victor suspects his creation but does not immediately confess his own culpability in its existence. Later, when the Creature demands a female companion, Victor agrees, but then destroys the second creation out of fear. This decision, he claims, is for the good of humanity, but it is underscored by his own fear and his inability to confront the consequences of his initial act. He fears the potential offspring of his creations, yet he created the very possibility of such a scenario. This moral cowardice and self-serving justification mark him as a figure of deep-seated corruption. His final pursuit of the Creature across the Arctic is not a noble quest for justice, but a desperate, all-consuming obsession for revenge, a perversion of his original scientific drive.
Ultimately, Victor Frankenstein embodies the true monster because his sins are born not of ignorance or innate malevolence, but of a deliberate abdication of moral duty and a pervasive selfishness. He possesses the capacity for empathy and reason, which he consistently chooses to ignore. The Creature, on the other hand, is a victim of circumstance, his monstrosity a product of the cruelty and prejudice he encounters. While his actions are undeniable, they are a reaction to the profound suffering inflicted upon him by his creator and society. Victor’s ambition blinds him, his fear paralyzes him, and his revenge consumes him, demonstrating that the most terrifying monsters are often those who walk among us, cloaked in the guise of humanity.