The Theme Of Frankenstein: Revenge

The major theme in Frankenstein is revenge. Both Victor and the monster feel revenge throughout the novel. The monster feels revenge on both Victor and every other human in the world. Victor desperately seeks revenge on his gruesome creation, the monster, which ultimately destroyed every bit of happiness he once possessed.

The monster will stop at nothing to get revenge on Victor, his creator. He feels that it is Victor’s fault that he is lonely, detested, and abhorred by every living creature. He is convinced that Victor is the reason for his loneliness, and wonders why he was ever created. “Cursed, cursed creator! Why did I live? Why, in that instant, did I not extinguish the spark of existence which you had so wantonly bestowed?” pg 124. It is this anguish that the monster feels that compels him to seek revenge on Victor, and destroy his life. “…despair had not yet taken possession of me; my feelings were those of rage and revenge,” pg 124. The monster doesn’t feel sad or self pity about his situation yet; he is overcome with anger and vengeance toward Victor, whose life he will soon completely destroy.

Much of the monsters feelings of revenge develop from the feeling he has about himself. He tries to reveal his compassionate side on several occasions, such as saving the drowning girl from the river and trying to befriend De Lacey. However, when both of these attempts at proving himself to be more than his outward appearance are grossly misinterpreted, he becomes angry and violent. He knows that no one will ever see any good in him, and the thought of never having a compassionate companion to befriend tears him apart. “I, the miserable and the abandoned, am an abortion, to be spurned at, and kicked, and trampled on,” pg 209. He feels so strongly shunned and disliked, that his sad feelings transform into those of anger and revenge.

Victor’s quest for revenge