In the novel, Frankenstein, by Mary Shelley, revenge is more prevalent than love. Because of this, vengeance is the only human bond the monster is allowed to form. Although he sees good in other human relationships, he never forms one for himself. These loving human relationships can be seen between, Victor, as a child, and his own family, Elizabeth and Victor (although frequently unrequited), and the De Lacey family. Even with such amiable relationships in the novel, Victor, the monster’s creator, eventually grows further and further away from these loving relationships, leaving the monster, whom Victor has the most frequent interactions with, to learn by his example. Mary Shelley, by laying the story out this way, says human relationships must be founded on nothing less than self-sacrificing love or they lead eventually to ruin, hatred, and self destruction. …show more content…
In chapter two Victor tells of his childhood, saying, “No human being could have passed a happier childhood than myself. My parents were possessed by the very spirit of kindness and indulgence...When I mingled with other families, I distinctly discerned how fortunate my lot was, and gratitude assisted the development of filial love” (Shelley 19). In this paragraph, Victor is recalling his own childhood and recognizing the loving relationships he formed with his parents. Not only is Victor looking back on his childhood, but he is realizing how blessed he is to have a family that would make sacrifices for him. Victor tells of these sacrifices saying, “my parents gave up entirely their wandering life, and fixed themselves in their native country”