The Creature

The creature was plagued by a constant state of rejection by society from the beginning. Frankenstein, the creator, recounts the instant in which the monster was given birth: "A flash of lightning illuminated the object and discovered its shape plainly to me; its gigantic stature, and the deformity of its aspect, more hideous than belongs to humanity, instantly informed me that it was the wretch, the filthy demon to whom I had given life." (Frankenstein Chap. 7). To hideous for his own father, the creature was abandoned. He soon learns that he is universally shunned by society and takes refuge in a hut. This is where the creature spends more than a year learning how to read, write, and speak the language of his neighbors. He observes these other cottagers in secrecy and sees how they interact; he begins to understand why he is considered a monster. The creature eventually tries to meet the cottagers, but he is shunned once more. He leaves the cottages in search of Victor. On the way, the creature saves a little girl from drowning. Instead of being praised for his good deed, the creature is condemned for his monstrous appearance. All the while, as his deep compassion for humanity is masked by his appearance, the monster begins to want revenge. He finds Victor in the Alps and asks for a companion. The creature pleads with Victor to create a female monster. After strong hesitation, Victor eventually agrees. After some time and a lot of work, Victor finishes the new, female monster. The creature arrives on the scene and Victor realizes what he has done. He destroys the companion right in front of the creature, who then declares revenge. During the next year, the creature kills Clerval and Elizabeth, two of Victors closest friends. As a result, Victor is institutionalized, only to escape later in pursuit of the creature. Victor's journeys bring him to Walton, who he joins and rides on a ship with. Victor eventually dies and the creatures boards the ship with intentions of killing him. Walton finds the creature crying over his creator's dead body. The creature realizes that he no longer has a reason to live and dissapears onto the ice to kill himself.