Similar yet different: A comparative analysis of the Creator and the Creature

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Presenting a story about suffering, alienation, and the social implications as the result of a scientific innovation that emerged from the desire to create and manipulate life, "Frankenstein; or, The Modern Prometheus" by Mary Shelley succeeded in gaining public recognition as an important work in gothic literature and science fiction. Written in 1818, Mary Shelley attempted to warn the readers about the dangers associated with unchecked scientific ambition and the pursuit of knowledge without regard for morality. The novel utilizes a variety of narrative perspectives, such as letters and firsthand accounts to shape the reader's interpretation of the events. The two main characters, Victor Frankenstein, a young scientist who creates the ‘fiend’ or more known by the name ‘the Creature’, although they are naturally contrasting beings, however, they also share several similarities. These similitudes and distinctions between Victor and the Creature not only play a significant role in the narrative where they illustrate a dynamic relationship between the Creator and the Creature but also serve as a way for Mary Shelley to expand her commentary on various aspects of life.

Both Victor and the Creature share a fundamental similarity in their pursuit of knowledge, where they seek a quest to understand the universe and their existence. Victor has always been a highly brilliant and curious individual, "My dreams were therefore undisturbed by reality; and I entered with the greatest diligence into the search of the philosopher's stone and the elixir of life" (Shelley, 69). Underlining his intense desire for knowledge, glory, and the power to manipulate life, Victor has an enormous interest in studying the mystery of ‘life and death’. Akin to Victor, the Creature, after gaining consciousness, naturally shows a great interest in the world around him, and throughout his lifetime, the Creature seeks to discover and comprehend his existence and seek understanding about humanity. Whether Victor's ambitious pursuit of science or the Creature's attempt to gain knowledge of mankind and his place in the world, essentially their efforts are rooted in a thirst for knowledge in which they are driven by intellectual curiosity and a desire to understand the mysteries of life.

Despite the likeness of intellectual curiosity and a quest to comprehend life's mysteries that occur both in Victor and the Creature, it cannot be denied that the source of their motivation in pursuing knowledge came from different sources. Propelled by the desire to understand humanity, emotions, and the world around him, hereby, the Creature's motivations are driven by a quest for emotional connection and self-discovery which is initially rooted in a longing for belonging and acceptance. Observing life through the De Lacey family's lens “I would remain quietly in my hovel, watching and endeavouring to discover the motives which influenced their actions." (Shelley, 127) , comprehend the complexity of human behavior, succeeded in making the Creature long for a connection with humans. On the other hand, Victor’s curiosity is driven by scientific ambition and a desire to transcend the limitations of conventional understanding.

Life and death appeared to me ideal bounds, which I should first break through, and pour a torrent of light into our dark world. A new species would bless me as its creator and source; many happy and excellent natures would owe their being to me . No father could claim the gratitude of his child so completely as I should deserve their's. Pursuing these reflection, I thought, that if I could bestow animation upon lifeless matter, I might in process of time (although I now found it impossible) renew life where death had apparently devoted the body to corruption. (Shelley, 80)

 

Victor's desire to have god-like powers and to have the ability to generate and give life to inanimate objects, made Victor strive to create innovative discoveries that could increase his standing in the eyes of his creatures and leave an eternal legacy. Furthermore, the likeness and dissimilarity between Victor’s and the Creature’s pursuit of knowledge contributed to the rich thematic tapestry of the novel. Mary Shelley attempts to explain human natural desire to understand things, the consequences of tinkering with the forces of life, and the ethical considerations that must accompany the pursuit of scientific knowledge and innovation.

Victor and the Creature's differing experiences with family also contribute significantly to their paths and the development of the novel's themes of solitude, isolation, and the consequences of neglecting human connections. Even though Victor had a family and was raised in one, as a result of his unwavering quest for knowledge and the scientific ambitions that he tried to pursue, he ultimately had to isolate himself for a long period. 

I seemed to have lost all soul or sensation but for this one pursuit. It was indeed but a passing trance, that only made me feel with renewed acuteness so soon as, the unnatural stimulus ceasing to operate, I had returned to my old habits. (Shelley, 81) 

 

Victor's abandonment of family ties contributes to his own isolation and internal turmoil. His acts affect the people he loves, and the absence of family support exacerbates his inner turmoil. In contrast with Victor, the Creature, a synthetic being that Victor alone created, does not have a biological family. Given that the Creature was the loss of a family figure, to gain an understanding of the true sense of family, the Creature observed the De Lacey family from a distance and craved the warmth and connectedness he felt in their interactions. 

By degrees I made a discovery of still greater moment. I found that these people possessed a method of communicating their experience and feelings to one another by articulate sounds. I perceived that the words they spoke sometimes produced pleasure or pain, smiles or sadness, in the minds and countenances of the hearers. This was indeed a godlike science, and I ardently desired to become acquainted with it. (Shelley, 128) 

 

His encounters with the De Lacey family serve as an example of his need for familial connection, which ultimately results in rejection and heightens his sense of loneliness. In summary, even though Victor and the creature both experience isolation, fundamentally the feeling of isolation comes from a different nature. Victor deliberately went into isolation without having a sense of solitude whereas the Creature was forced to go into exile and left alone.

Victor and the Creature both faced severe consequences as a result of their irresponsible actions. In his quest for scientific glory, Victor created the Creature without thinking through the ethical ramifications and soon abandons him and declared “Unable to endure the aspect of the being I had created, I rushed out of the room, and continued a long time traversing my-bedchamber” (Shelley 84). Victor's act of abandoning creatures and his failure to take responsibility for his creation further contributed to numerous terrible occurrences. Meanwhile, the Creature acts irresponsibly by seeking revenge on Victor and inflicting damage on others. 

Remember that I have power; you believe yourself miserable, but I can make you so wretched that the light of day will be hateful to you. You are my creator, but I am your master;–obey! (Shelley, 175) 

 

The Creature, despite being a victim of Victor's irresponsible actions, also acts carelessly, specifically in the matter of self-control as he takes revenge on his creator and causes harm to people around him. Additionally, gaining an understanding of responsibility from both parties is essential for grasping the moral complexities of the novel and comprehending the relationships between the Creator and the Creation.

Mary Shelley displays the similarities and differences in the characters of Victor and Creature not only to depict the dynamic relationship between the two parties but also to serve as a lens through which she examines numerous facts of life, especially about human limits, responsibility, and the consequences of unlawful actions. Victor and the Creature's distinct roles and motivations also offer a complex examination of moral responsibility, the effects of ignoring human ties, and the creator-creation dynamic. Besides, the shared experiences of loneliness, longing, and the quest for connection further create an emotional resonance for the reader. These similarities evoke empathy and draw attention to the novel's exploration of the emotional toll of isolation and societal rejection. Ultimately, Mary Shelley warns us that although there are similarities among all living beings, every human being still has frailty, superiority, and diversity that make each individual unique.

Written by= Nabilah Umarella

Work cited

Mary Shelley, “Frankenstein; or, The Modern Prometheus”, 

The Original 1818 Text, Third Edition, Broadview Editions