Fighting Fire With Fire

     Earlier in the novel the monster had barreled forward into human society naive and unfamiliar with his surroundings. He stuck out like a sore thumb- his body disturbing, nature uncivilized and face causing terror. This caused him to develop a hate for who brought him into the world; Victor Frankenstein. Later we see that the feelings become mutual when the monster murders Victor's love, Elizabeth. Victor lashes out in anger, saying "I will exert myself, and if it is in my power to seize the monster, be assured that he shall suffer punishment proportionate to his crimes." The irony of this vow is that it is ultimately Victor's fault for Elizabeth's death. He does not encourage peace, only stoops down to the level of the monster, causing more destruction than he ever intended.

Victor's Betrayal

     Victor had decided to go through with his creation's persistent request for a female companion, knowing very well that he is responsible for it's well being. Driven by guilt, he began the project. However, he discovered soon after beginning that the project would have taken him a great amount of time, and research; and that risks would be involved. He faces an inner moral war with himself here, "For the first time, the wickedness of my promise burst upon me; I shuddered to think that future ages might curse me as their pest, whose selfishness had not hesitated to buy its own peace at the price, perhaps the existence of the whole human race." Victor sees his first creation as a failure because of it's violent nature and appalling appearance. He has realized suddenly that making another would only make the issue grow larger. If the two monsters were to have children they could potentially wreck havoc in Europe and eventually elsewhere. What is significant from this is that one mistake leads to another- these mistakes do not disappear, they multiply and have consequences. Victor is only just now seeing the immensity of his actions.

Gentle Giant

   Despite his struggle to be accepted, the monster still sees beauty in his environment. After he has had time to collect his anger, he finds himself regretting his outburst. "The pleasant, sunshine and the pure air of day restored me to some air of tranquility; and when I considered what had passed at the cottage, I could not help believing that I had been too hasty in my conclusions." (p.g 126) He decides that soon he will return to the De Lacey family to attempt to show them his true self again. The monster realizes that although the humans have mistreated him, he may be at fault for assuming that they will welcome him. Until now he has not considered that he may be behaving unreasonably- he could be acting with more patience and understanding given that he is abnormal.

In the Wake of Rejection

In chapter 16 we see the creature vow to seek revenge against all of humankind. This stems from Felix's rejection towards his appearance, which drove the creature away at the end of chapter 15. This hatred is aimed mainly towards his creator, Victor Frankenstein. Feeling outcast from all of society, the creature flees for the woods where he reflects and reacts in rage. He observes his setting bitterly, thinking "the cold stars shone in mockery, and the bare trees waved their branches above me; now and then the sweet voice of a bird burst forth amidst the universal stillness." (p.g 125) Having little experience with the human world, his perspective is very small. It seems to the monster that everything and everyone are prejudice towards his exterior.