Frankenstein (2nd half)

Frankenstein by Mary Shelley

Theme

In the second half of Frankenstein, a subtle theme emerges from the interactions between Victor and the creature. Victor, the creator, starts his work with passion and verve. However, he becomes to immersed into his ideas and work, and it becomes unhealthy. Being the creator, one would think that Victor would have power and control over his work. On the contrary, his work changes from being something he loved into something that possessed him. In the second half of the novel, the roles are reversed, and the creature has power and control of the creator. Shelley expresses the theme of one’s job taking control of their life and wellbeing through diction referring to slavery. For example, “For an instant I dared to shake off my chains, and look around me with a free and lofty spirit; but the iron had eaten into my flesh, and I sank again, trembling and hopeless, into my miserable self,” (Shelley, 116). The creature or Victor’s work enslaves Victor with the threat of hurting his loved ones. Today, being immersed in one’s work can hurt his or her family and damage their relationship with them. Moreover, it can cause one to become separated and distant from his or her loved ones.