In the story Frankenstein, Mary Shelly explores the theme of revenge. Initially, the monster embodies kindness and innocence, but as a result of Victor’s abandonment and mistreatment, as well as the prejudice he faces from the De Lacey family, his neighbors in the woods, he becomes driven by revenge. Understandably, the monster seeks retribution against those who have harmed him due to their ignorance of prejudice. Additionally, Frankenstein himself desires revenge against his creator for bestowing upon him a life as a monstrous being.
Frankenstein was abandoned and mistreated by Victor and the De Lacey family due to his appearance, causing him to resent being transformed into a monster and receiving inhumane treatment. His curse towards his creator for bringing him to life and his subsequent isolation from human society are justified. This is primarily because it guarantees he will never be accepted among humans, impeding his desire to join human society. Additionally, seeking revenge further diminishes any possibility of integrating with humans, making revenge the monster’s sole objective.
According to the monster, revenge became more important to him than anything else, even more important than light or food. But revenge doesn’t only consume the monster; it also consumes Victor, who is the victim of the monster’s revenge. When the monster murders Victor’s relatives, Victor vows to seek great and significant revenge on the monster’s cursed head. In a way, this strong human desire for revenge turns both Victor and the monster into true monsters themselves, with no feelings or desires other than destroying their enemy. Additionally, the monster frames Justine for her brother’s death.
The monster is responsible for the death of William, Justine’s brother. This is because William is related to Victor Frankenstein, the creator of the monster, and the monster seeks revenge against him for making him such a terrible creature. The monster strangles William, takes his mother’s picture, and places it in Justine’s pocket while she is resting in a barn, searching for her brother. When the picture is discovered in her pocket, Justine is put on trial and ultimately executed. Thus, the monster indirectly causes Justine’s death.
