Frankenstein\u2019s adult life is haunted by regret that he ever brought his monster to life. He says this repeatedly throughout Frankenstein: his \u201cabhorrence of this fiend cannot be conceived\u201d (chapter 9). The reader is led to the conclusion that he not only regrets his action but has learned from it; after all, the whole point of Frankenstein telling his tale to Captain Walton is to \u201cdash the cup,\u201d so that Walton can avoid making the same mistakes Frankenstein made (letter 4, 2nd entry). Given that the story has led us to believe that Frankenstein has grown wiser, I was extremely taken aback by his remarks to the would-be mutineers. He rallies the men to find their courage, calling the expedition \u201cglorious\u201d and promising the men that they \u201cwere hereafter to be hailed as the benefactors of your species\u201d (chapter 24, 4th letter). Why does he say this? It is clear he hasn\u2019t had a change of heart. Just a few paragraphs later he advises Walton to \u201cSeek happiness in tranquility and avoid ambition, even if it be only the apparently innocent one of distinguishing yourself in science and discoveries\u201d (chapter 24). Perhaps Frankenstein is just being a good friend and trusting Captain Walton to ultimately make the right decision. Or maybe Mary Shelley is trying to make a pessimistic statement on the human condition; namely that, when push comes to shove, humans are bound to repeat their mistakes.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Frankenstein\u2019s adult life is haunted by regret that he ever brought his monster to life. He says this repeatedly throughout Frankenstein: his \u201cabhorrence of this fiend cannot be conceived\u201d (chapter 9). The reader is led to the conclusion that he … Continue reading