Wednesday, November 28, 2012

Mary Shelley-"Frankenstein" Part 2

The Evolution of Henry, Victor, and the creature.

When the novel opens, the similarities between the characters of Henry and Victor are apparent.  Both men are ambitious and have a deep desire to learn.  At the creation of the creature, it seems that he and Victor could not be more different.  As the novel progresses, this changes drastically.  When Henry and Victor make their way to England, their differences become more and more obvious.  In a way, the two become foil characters.  Henry finds joy in every moment of life.  Clerval's desire to learn augments each day; he even plans on going to India to further his education.  The only thing that ever brings him down is the disposition of his dear friend, Victor.  Victor has been living in constant fear and worry.  "He was forever busy, and the only check to his enjoyments was to my sorrowful and dejected mind" (Shelley, 115)  Additionally, his thought process has begun to mirror that of the creature.  He refers to himself as "wretch" and often separates him from human society.   

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