k to illustrate your point.
What might be more interesting would be to argue that the monster is neither good nor evil but a victim of Dr. Frankenstein's desire to resurrect dead bodies.
Decide which side to argue from, find your examples, and good luck with your essay!
You have to decide whether you think the creature is good or evil. There is plenty in the novel to support either side. If it were me, I would lean toward good. The creature smiled benevolently at Victor through his bed curtains. He suffers from abandonment. He learns the hard way that fire burns and that he is ugly. He is tormented and targeted because of his displeasing appearance. However, even while Felix is beating the creature to save his blind father, the creature does not strike back. He never kills anyone out of spite UNTIL he discovers the nature of his creation and how Victor just left him. His anger toward Victor is justified. He does not mean to kill William...or you could suggest this...the creature is just so much stronger than feeble human bodies. He is a creature who thinks, feels, suffers, desires, and reasons. He is unfairly judged by his appearance (this happens all the time...obese people, too skinny people, tattooed people, etc.). Focus on the beginning chapters and the chapters the creature tells us his story (11-13 or 14) for your info if you are proving he is a good creature who resorts to revenge after dealing too long with undeserved torment (think the kids at Colombine who killed all their classmates and a teacher for ridiculing them). You can't agree with what he did, but you can understand his reasons.
The monster is not bad. He has been created through no fault of his own. He is a product of someone who is trying to play God, which is very dangerous territory. I've always felt sorry for the monster because he experiences human emotions, yet he also has such anger built up inside of him because he doesn't understand who he is and why he is so hideous. He only seeks revenge because he is frustrated and angry. I don't believe he truly intended to do great harm at all.
The monster is just like a newborn baby when he's first created. Instead of a"mother" nurturing him, however, Frankenstein runs away from his creature because of his horrific appearance. The De Lacey family provides the creature with a view of how wonderful life can be with people who love you. This is why the monster asks the doctor to create a mate for him, someone with whom he can share love and life. Frankenstein rejects this idea, taking away any chance the creature might have for happiness. Frankenstein's refusal and society's fear of the creature leaves the monster with a taste for revenge. Then the creature kills Frankenstein's brother and sets up Justine to be accused of his murder. His last two murders are Clerval and Elizabeth, Frankenstein's wife. The creature wants his creator to feel the loneliness that he feels without anyone to love and care for, so he kills everyone who is important to the doctor.
Only you can decide if you think the monster is bad, or is it his creator who is evil? The creature's environment determines his actions, so do you think Frankenstein should have provided his creation with a proper environment? Go to the links below for a more detailed explanation that will help you decide how you feel.
The creature responds to his surroundings, and Victor is largely responsible for the things that occur where the creature is concerned. Think of this: a baby is fed peas and does not like them. He throws them back at his mother and covers the room in green slime. Is he a "bad" baby for not liking peas? No, and he's not bad for throwing them, either. It's an instinct...a reaction to distaste, but it is not a premeditated action...at least not the first time.
The creature is the same. When he is created, he smiles at Victor. He even tells us in his own chapters that he was benevolent and kind and full of love for his "father" and humankind. Victor abandons the creature and leaves him to the harsh world of judgemental humans. The creature is