Evil Character in Frankenstein

Tracy Chofor
      October 18 2010
  Date Due: October 20 2010
AP Literature.

        FRANKENSTEIN ESSAY

Choose a complex and important character in Frankenstein who might on the basis of the character’s actions alone could be considered evil or immoral. In a well-organized essay, explain both how and why the full presentation of the character makes us react more sympathetically than we otherwise might. Avoid plot summary.

“If you will comply with my conditions, I will leave them and you at peace; but if you refuse, I will glut the maw of death, until it be satiated with the blood of your remaining friends.” Frankenstein, upon confronting his creator, threatens the lives of Victor and his friends stating maliciously that if his wishes are not granted, he will personally feed them to the claws of death. The monster’s unacceptable actions such as murder and blackmail and his spiteful words may portray him as an evil person – or rather, creature; however, the reader can sympathize with him because he was initially a very kind and benevolent person but because no one showed him any form of appreciation, he turned into what everyone physically viewed him as. A Monster.
Killing William, Victor’s younger brother, was just one of Frankenstein’s inexplicable atrocities. When Frankenstein comes across the little boy William, he falsely believes he found himself a friend who will not judge him based on his appearances. However, as soon as he learns that William is related to Victor – his creator – his will to befriend the boy immediately turns into vengeance. He states, “I have sworn eternal revenge; you shall be my first victim.” Although the boy did nothing wrong to him, Frankenstein’s evil will causes him to cause harm to William. He further says “I grasped his throat to silence him, and in a moment he lay dead at my feet.” The amount of vengeance Frankenstein had toward his creator caused him to kill the poor William, who had...