The Similarities Between Victor Frankenstein and The Monster

Throughout the development of English literature there are often times when rival enemies inadvertently share striking similarities between one another, a situation clearly analyzed between Victor and the Monster in Mary Shelley’s captivating novel, Frankenstein. The vivid similarities between the two tragic characters are driven by their dreary isolation from the secluded world, which refuses to accept those who are different into society, by hatred, and most importantly by the absence of motherly figures in both Victor’s and the Monster’s lives. As Victor had stated, “I seemed to have lost all soul or sensation but for this one pursuit.” (Shelley, 38) as he described that he lost all touch with the world due to his work. Perhaps even the old saying “like father, like son” can inevitably describe the flawless resemblances between the two seemingly lost characters. However, regardless of even some of the slight differences the two may portray, when comparing their experiences and human-like actions, it is clear that their similarities are undoubtedly proven and reflected upon throughout the novel.

The ironic isolation with the rest of the world that the two characters undergo plays a major role in contributing to their powerful comparison. Both figures seem to strongly despise one another yet strangely enough, they both also despise themselves for their wrong and disastrous actions. The isolation began with Victor’s decision to separate himself from the rest of society when he become enthralled with his scientific research and experiments. “And 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.” (Shelley, 40) As for the Monster, he detaches himself and becomes a frantic outsider when he realizes his appearance only drives those who he cares for most, further away from him. However, the Monster’s isolation is based more on appearance rather than his decisions and work, for his deformed structure and frightening face are his greatest agonies. “When I looked around I saw and heard of none like me. Was I, a Monster, a blot upon the earth from which all men fled and whom all men disowned?” (Shelley, 98) Lastly, looking past the text one can see that both characters desire to play their own cards on life, taking it away and bringing it back whenever they want. Victor is prepared to bring life to the dead while the Monster on the opposite hand, is willing to take away life from the living out of rage and misfortune. “Life and death appeared to me ideal bounds, which I should first break through, and pour a torrent of light into our dark world.” (Shelley, 37) In a tragic twist, both of these deprived characters have been isolated, abandoned, and have simply became outcasts of present society. 

Family ties and vengefulness are truly one of the most significant aspects affecting the resemblance of both Victor and the Monster. At a young age, Frankenstein was left without his mother after her death and as a result, he never got to experience the true feelings of a mother’s warm touch and love. “She died calmly…it is so long before the mind can persuade itself that she whom we saw every day and whose every existence appeared a part of our own can have departed forever and the sound of a voice so familiar and dear to the ear can be hushed, never more to be heard.” (Shelley, 29) Just like Victor, in his own time, the Monster never got to experience not only the love of a mother but the love of a father as well. Without these two feelings the Monster was never able to understand what happiness might have truly meant. As a result, the lack of these feelings in their lives caused the two to be driven with more rage then patience and love. Another likeness between Victor and the Monster is them both being very resentful. The Monster shows his dark-side when he decides to demolish the cottager’s house, the only thing that expressed in him his affectionate human-like feelings. Moreover, Victor shows the same anger when he refuses and rejects the attempt to connect and understand the life of his creation. Perhaps it truly was the lack of love from one’s mother and that from both of one’s parents that caused the similarities in loneliness, anger and strive for revenge between the two main characters.

Victor and his creation are two characters which despite of their differences still resemble a strong and vivid connection. These driven characters thrive for the same goals, feed of similar pain, and feel the same loneliness, remorse and isolation as one another. These similarities are so extreme that it is for no reason that most of the world recognizes the creature by the name of Frankenstein himself. Isolated by society, abandoned by their childhood figures, and driven by rage, Victor and the Monster may be more alike than we can simply prove.