Form a response to the following questions in preparation for our discussion in class:
Consider the quote “so blind is the existence of man” and reflect on how it could be argued that this is the foundational concept of the novel.
“So blind is the existence of man” is said by Victor’s father. It is extremely relevant to the novel. It could be argued that the Creature’s frustration with humans is formed around this. Humans can not see past his appearance, to see who he really is and ironically ‘blindly’ judge him, without really ‘looking’ through his appearance to see who he really is. Even his own creator struggles to look past his appearance. It is also relevant to society in the novel. An example of this is when Justine was murdered, people had already judged and decided who was the murderer, and could not look outside their decided views. Man is ‘blind’ because they are so caught up in society that they are unable to think greater than it, and question it.
Think about the feelings of isolation- physical and mental- that are developed in this chapter. Discuss why Shelley has set this section of the novel in some of the most remote corners of the world.
Isolation is really important because Victor and the Creature are the most isolated characters. Victor’s ‘secret’ has forced him to completely isolate himself as he refuses to tell anyone. The Creature is completely isolated as he has no one but himself. The isolation is amplified when Shelley introduces the setting, as it shows how scary and lonely it is.
There is almost a sense of ‘justice’ served when Victor is accused and convicted of murdering Henry Clerval. He even states that “I called myself the murderer of William, of Justine and of Clerval” when he is in his ‘mad fever’. Why is this stint in prison just? Even though he did not physically kill anyone, what would we consider his crime to be?
I think Victor’s true crime is not the creation of the Creature – or the abandonment of it, but his lack of willingness or fear to tell others about it. He puts others at risk by not sharing this information with anyone. At any time he could’ve told his wife or friend or father about his creation but his fear holds him back. That is what truly puts others at risk.
Victor decides that he should act ‘for the greater good’. Do you agree with his decision not to create another creature? Explain your answer.
Yes. It is clear the Creature is capable of murdering people (as he already has), and the Creature has put others at risk. Another Creature could potentially double that risk. There is also double the chance that the Creatures could be seen. This would create a lot of fear amongst people. Victor risks his own happiness and the Creature’s happiness for the safety of others. Also as the result of creating the first monster, Victor was caused a lot of pain and misery. By not creating another one, he is learning from the past and (trying) to avoid more problems in the future.
There is a distinct lack of passion in this section of the text. Even the Creature seems to run out of emotional energy. What do you think this says about our ability to reason when passion is high.
Our ability to reason when passion is high is lessened, as we are too greatly influenced by our emotions. In contrast, too little passion can make it difficult to reason as we have no emotions guiding us to make decisions.
At no point in the text is the Creature given a name. Comment on the significance of this.
In my opinion, as soon as something is given a name, it is given importance. For example, my parents have given names to their cars, and we have a much closer attachment to them now. Victor not naming the Creature means he doesn’t have to get so attached to it. It is interesting that the Creature never names itself. It knows what a name is, yet it doesn’t give one to itself. It doesn’t view itself as important – or maybe because Victor never named him, he feels less important and even more abandoned.
Walton makes the decision to turn back from his voyage. Why? Do you think this was an ethical choice? What does Walton do that Victor could not?
Yes. Walton can learn from Victor of how blinded he was by the idea of success and learns second-hand the consequences and danger that comes with it.
Describe your reaction to the way the text ended. Was it the ‘right’ way for this story to finish? Why/why not?
I think so. Ultimately the Creature’s purpose was to feel loved by Victor, and when Victor dies, he can no longer try to pursue that. It is a sad ending but I believe it was the right ending. Without Victor, he can’t have another creature, and he can’t cause him any more misery by killing anyone else, so he doesn’t have the same purpose.
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