Mary Shelley-Frankenstein

Who's the real monster? 

Victor Frankenstein presents a persuasive case that his creation is awful for the first seven chapters.  Yet, all the information given to the reader in chapter eight which recounts the experiences of Frankenstein goes against this conjecture.  The "wretch" does his neighbor's chores because he sees they do not enjoy the task.  This begs the question: how can his character (not appearance) be so horrifying?  The only factual information the reader has ever received about the Creation is that which has come from the creation's mouth.  Everything from the creator, Frankenstein, has been based totally upon assumption.  The reader knows not whether the blood of both William and Justine is upon the creation's hands.  All of Victor's assumptions indicate yes, all of the creations facts indicate no.  In truth, Victor makes himself mentally insane constantly concerning himself with this creation.  He becomes ill and emaciated during the development process.  He seems psychologically damaged in that he constantly lives in fear.  At one point, he even claims he himself has become somewhat of a monster.  "Cursed be the hand that formed you!  You have made me wretched beyond expression" (Shelley, 70).  This evidence supports the idea that the creation may not be the bad guy after all.