Revenge
Revenge is an intense desire that drives both Victor and his monster's actions throughout the novel. After Victor abandons the monster, the monster makes several failed, yet earnest attempts at getting along with the other humans, who are afraid of him due to his menacing appearance, and he concludes that his quest for friendship is futile. Thus, in order to distract himself from an overwhelming sense of loneliness and provide him with the only other possible bond that he can form with the humans, the monster engrosses himself in the concept of revenge, blaming Victor for virtually all of his suffering. This gives him a slight peace of mind and the motivation to live on, rather than succumb to hopelessness and defeat, as it at least provides him with a goal of inflicting a similar sense of pain onto his creator that becomes his sole motive for living.
Ultimately, however, this only causes both of them to waste their lives consumed by hatred and discontent. Their malevolent actions toward each other, as seen in Victor's destruction of the female monster and the monster's murder of Victor's dear ones, merely force both of them to destroy any chances of happiness that the other may have had. Through their lives, the Shelley demonstrates how even if the minor successes in inflicting revenge may bring a temporary, meager sense of accomplishment for the monster and Victor, inflicting suffering upon each other only further fuels both of their hatred for each other as they become engrossed in an endless battle that solves neither of their initial problems. When Victor finally dies, the monster feels an intense amount of sorrow because he no longer has a reason to live, and thus decides die himself.
Ultimately, however, this only causes both of them to waste their lives consumed by hatred and discontent. Their malevolent actions toward each other, as seen in Victor's destruction of the female monster and the monster's murder of Victor's dear ones, merely force both of them to destroy any chances of happiness that the other may have had. Through their lives, the Shelley demonstrates how even if the minor successes in inflicting revenge may bring a temporary, meager sense of accomplishment for the monster and Victor, inflicting suffering upon each other only further fuels both of their hatred for each other as they become engrossed in an endless battle that solves neither of their initial problems. When Victor finally dies, the monster feels an intense amount of sorrow because he no longer has a reason to live, and thus decides die himself.
Victor and I chose revenge to settle our
disputes, but our initial problems were
never solved. Victor never accepted me,
nor did he make me a companion when
I asked for one; he also failed to protect
those for whom he loved and cared. Now
that Victor has died, I have no reason to
live.
disputes, but our initial problems were
never solved. Victor never accepted me,
nor did he make me a companion when
I asked for one; he also failed to protect
those for whom he loved and cared. Now
that Victor has died, I have no reason to
live.