Tran Nguyen An Huy

Teacher Erin Jacques

English 12 Grade

December 4, 2023

Frankenstein and the Creation: A Tale of Responsibility and Acceptance

Abstract

Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein is a classic novel, a profound narrative that explores the

complex themes of creation, responsibility, and the consequences of human actions. The novel

tells the story of Victor Frankenstein, a young scientist who creates a living creature from dead

body parts but abandons it in horror and disgust. The creature, who is never given a name,

suffers from loneliness, rejection, violence and seeks revenge on his creator and his family.

Thesis Statement

The novel underscores the theme and important questions critical about the relationship

between creators and their creations, drawing parallels with the Biblical worldview, and whether

they have the moral obligation to accept them, no matter how they are. Frankenstein’s

relationship with the monster reflects a biblical worldview on creation, and that Frankenstein

fails to fulfill his duty as a creator and a steward of God’s creation. This affirms that God is the

Creator of all life, and that humans are created in His image and have a special relationship with

Him.

Literature Review
Frankenstein's Relationship with the Monster

Victor Frankenstein's creation of the monster was motivated by his ambition to conquer

death and create life. He was shocked and disgusted by the appearance of his creation and fled

from it, leaving it alone and confused. He does not take responsibility for his actions and tries to

forget about his creature, hoping that it will die or disappear. This initial rejection sets the tone

for their relationship, as the monster expresses profound loneliness and seeks understanding and

friendship from its creator. He does not realize that his creature has emotions, intelligence, and a

desire for companionship, and at the same time, it suffers from isolation and hostility towards the

world, which leads to resentment and revenge within it. The relationship between Frankenstein

and the monster is characterized by a lack of empathy and understanding. Frankenstein is always

full of fear, regret, and avoidance; on the other hand, the monster has a complex and sympathetic

character, despite his hideous appearance and violent actions (Shelly, 1986, p. 12). The creature

was initially innocent and benevolent; learning about the world through observation and reading,

he yearned for love and acceptance and tried to make friends but was rejected by them and even

attacked. labour. Filled with sadness and anger, he decided to make Frankenstein suffer as he had

suffered and killed Frankenstein's loved ones. The monster desires companionship, knowledge,

and happiness. It also has a conscience, which makes it feel remorseful and guilty about its

crimes. It is not a monster per se, but due to circumstances, it is not the product of natural

selection but the product of unnatural creation, not the result of God's will but Frankenstein's

madness. Despite being the creator, Frankenstein abandons his creation in horror and disgust,

failing to provide the guidance and acceptance that the creature craves (Shelley, 1818). This

abandonment results in the creature falling into violence and despair, highlighting the

consequences of Frankenstein's irresponsibility. This sets the stage for a deeper exploration of

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the theme of how the generators treat their creations and counter-moral accusations of similar

treatment.

Theme of How Creators Treat Their Creations

The treatment of Frankenstein's monster brings up the theme of how creators often

neglect their creations, especially when they fail to meet their expectations. This theme is not

limited to Frankenstein but also reflects society's tendency to shun what is considered 'different'

or 'abnormal'. Shelley's description of Frankenstein's treatment of his creation raises important

ethical questions about generators' legal responsibility for their creations. Many chapters

highlight the consequences of neglect, rejection, and abuse, as the monster's suffering and

eventual descent into violence and despair can be attributed to Frankenstein's failure to take

responsibility for his creation. The theme of how creators treat their creations shows the contrast

between Frankenstein and God, the Creator of humanity. Frankenstein treats his creation with

indifference, contempt, and fear and fails to fulfill his duties as creator. He does not give his

creature a name, a family, or a purpose, and he does not care about his happiness or welfare. He

does not respect the rights, feelings, or needs of his creatures and does not repent for his mistakes

or try to make amends. He sees his creature as a mistake, a burden, and an enemy, and he wishes

to destroy him. He does not recognize his creature as a fellow human being who shares his nature

and image. A monster, like a human, is a creature created in the image of its creator, sharing

some traits and abilities with its creator. However, unlike humans, the monster was not created in

the image of God but in the image of a fallen and sinful human being, treated as an object and an

experiment. The monster is not loved; it is shunned and isolated, hated, and filled with fear. It

was not well treated, but cursed and persecuted. It is not guided but creates its own impulse,

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learning through observation and its own experiences. Frankenstein holds immense power as the

creator of the monster; however, he does not apply this power responsibly, leading to disastrous

consequences for both him and his creation. This theme serves as an exemplary story about the

moral accusations against creation and the importance of empathy, compassion, and

responsibility in the treatment of creatures.

Obligation of Creators to Accept Their Creation

The novel raises the question of whether generators have an obligation to accept their

creations, whatever their nature. Frankenstein's rejection of the monster and refusal to take

responsibility for his behavior emphasize the potential consequences of refusing to accept one's

creation. The monster's plea for understanding and love is attributed by Frankenstein to the dead;

he does not see any value or goodness in his creature and does not try to understand or help him.

His failure to meet this need leads Frankenstein to avoid this responsibility and perpetuate the

cycle of suffering and despair that ultimately engulfs both himself and his creation. From an

ethical standpoint, it is assumed that creators have a moral obligation to accept their creations

since they are responsible for making them a reality. This acceptance requires recognizing the

humanity and essential value of creation, regardless of its form or nature. As between humans

and God, the story emphasizes the importance of responsibility in the act of creation, implying

that creators have an inherent obligation to accept and nurture their creations, regardless of their

nature. What are their qualities? Frankenstein does not love his creature and does not seek his

forgiveness or reconciliation. He does not acknowledge his creature as his child, relative, or

friend. Yet the monster accepts his creator, no matter what he is, and seeks his acceptance in

return. He does not hate his creator, but he loves and respects him. He does not blame his creator

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for his appearance, but for his indifference and cruelty. He does not want to harm his creator, but

he wants to please him and be with him. He does not seek the destruction of his creator, but

compassion and justice. He seeks the forgiveness and reconciliation of his creator and

acknowledges him as his father, his creator, and his judge (Shelly, 1818, Ch. 15–16, 24).

Likewise, humans do not accept their Creator, whatever He is, and reject Him because of their

sin and pride. They do not see any value or goodness in God and do not try to understand or obey

Him. They do not love God and do not seek His forgiveness or reconciliation. They do not

acknowledge God as their Father, Lord, and Savior. However, God accepts His creations,

whatever they are, and seeks their acceptance in return. He does not hate his creations but loves

and cares for them. He does not blame His creations for their sins, but for their unbelief and

rebellion. God wants to bless people and be with them; He does not want to harm anyone; He

does not want to destroy His creatures but seeks their salvation and restoration. God seeks

forgiveness and reconciliation for his creation and acknowledges them as his children, his

people, and his family.

Connection to a Biblical Worldview

Frankenstein's relationship with the monster can be seen as a distorted reflection of the

biblical worldview of creation. Frankenstein, like God, is a creator who brings life from nothing

using his knowledge and scientific skills. However, unlike God, Frankenstein does not create out

of love but out of pride and curiosity. He did not acknowledge God as the ultimate source of life

but sought to usurp His role and become a god himself. He has no regard for his creation but

dismisses it as a hideous mistake. He does not establish a relationship with his creation but

abandons it to fend for himself in a hostile world. He does not take responsibility for his actions

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but blames the creature for the crime he committed. He does not seek to redeem his creation but

to destroy it. On the other hand, God treats His creation with love, wisdom, and grace and fulfills

His role as Creator. He gives His creatures names, families, and purposes and is concerned for

their well-being and happiness. He respects their rights, feelings, and needs and provides for

them. He sees His creatures as good, valuable, and beloved and desires to save them. He

recognizes His creatures as His children, bearers of His nature and image. He also takes

responsibility for His actions and does not abandon His creatures, even when they sin and rebel

against Him. He sent His Son, Jesus Christ, to die for their sins and restore their relationship with

Him. He also promised to create new heavens and a new earth, where there would be no more

pain, sorrow, or death. (Holy Bible, Revelation 21:4) According to the biblical worldview, God

created humans in His image, gave them unique dignity and worth, and charged them with the

responsibility of caring for and ruling over the rest of the world. creation (Holy Bible, Genesis

1:26-28) God also established a covenant relationship with humans, promising to bless them and

become their God (Holy Bible, Genesis 2:15–17). However, humans rebelled against God and

disobeyed His commands, bringing sin and death into the world (Holy Bible, Genesis 3). As a

result, creation became useless and corrupt, and humans became alienated from God, each other,

and the rest of creation (Holy Bible, Romans 8:20–21; Genesis 3:16-24). However, God did not

abandon His creation but initiated a plan of redemption through His Son, Jesus Christ, who came

to restore the broken relationship between God and humanity and to renew the whole creation

(Holy Bible, John 3:16; Col 1:15–20). God also calls His people to participate in His work of

redemption by living as image-bearers of Him, loving Him and their neighbors, and stewarding

His creation (Holy Bible, Matthew 22:37–40, Genesis 2:15). This literary work connects to a

biblical worldview that affirms that God is the Creator of all life and that humans are created in

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His image and have a special relationship with Him. The novel also shows the consequences of

violating this worldview and the need for redemption and rehabilitation. The novel warns of the

dangers of playing God and the responsibilities of being human. The novel also invites readers to

reflect on their own relationship with God and with His creation and to choose between love and

hate, life and death, grace, and judgment. The novel thus shows the tragic consequences of

Frankenstein's violation of the biblical worldview of creation. By creating the monster,

Frankenstein usurps God's power and challenges His design. In abandoning the monster,

Frankenstein neglects his duty. In short, Frankenstein cannot become the creator and steward of

God's creation and must suffer the consequences of his sin, giving rise to the contrast between

Frankenstein's relationship with the monster and God's relationship with humans. In the book of

Genesis, the story of God's creation of humanity establishes a foundational framework for

understanding the responsibility of creators for their creation. God's objections to the virtue of

His creation and His commitment to care for and nurture humanity illustrate the ideal

relationship between creator and creation. The themes of the connection between the creator and

creation and the creator's obligation to accept their creations reflect biblical principles and

stories.

Shelly emphasizes the importance of embracing and showing compassion towards

creatures, indeed in the face of error or rebellion. By drawing on these biblical parallels,

Shelley's examination of the connections between the creator and creation invites summaries to

consider the moral and spiritual limits of how they treat others, as well as counteraccusations of

neglect and rejection.

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 Works Cited

Shelley, Mary. Frankenstein, or the Modern Prometheus. Lit2Go Edition. 1818. Web.

https://etc.usf.edu/lit2go/128/frankenstein-or-the-modern-prometheus/2305/chapter-15/.

Shelley, Mary. (1818). Frankenstein; or The Modern Prometheus. London: Lackington,

Hughes, Harding, Mavor, & Jones.

Shelley, Mary W., and T. E. Bethancourt. Frankenstein (Pacemaker Classic). Belmont,

CA, David S. Lake, 1986

King James Version. Bible Gateway, Genesis 1-3 www.biblegateway.com.