** spoiler alert ** 
 Victor Frankenstein is a brilliant but irresponsible and callow young man, who works in secret to create a new species that will bring him acclaim and glory. He works for two years on building "the creature", only to be horrified when it comes to life. It is ugly - hideous even - which is unacceptable to Victor. He abandons his creation. 
 The creature, who is about 8 feet tall and is stronger and faster than humans, is left to fend for himself - finding food and shelter as he can. His size and appearance frighten and horrify people, who respond with violence, driving him into the forest. He is at first confused and then angry - he has the capacity for love and tenderness, but also extreme violence and vengeance. Yet, in the story, it is the creature who elicits more sympathy, IMO. 
 This is where the questions come in - nature/nurture, responsibility when creating something/someone. The creature wanted to be loved and accepted; he was hated and feared - his loneliness and the violence inflicted on him drove him to lash out against Frankenstein's family. He learns to read and speak eloquently, he can think profound thoughts, and is curious about the world. It is conceivable that had he been shown affection from someone, particularly from Victor, that he would never have harmed anyone. 
 Victor's lack of responsibility throughout the story is frustrating. He is young, brilliant and beautiful - and he has no capacity for understanding his creation. He sees only the bad in the creature: e.g., the creature's eloquence is seen as a way of trying to manipulate others or excuse his actions; the creature's violence is seen as unprovoked and directed toward the innocent members of Frankenstein's family/circle but is in response to either violence or rejection. Thus, this is not a simple tale of creating a monster who randomly kills people, but rather is a story about what drives an intelligent and peaceable being to become a feared and vengeful monster with the capacity to kill innocent relatives/friends of his creator. 
 When I initially read this book, I rated it 5/5; this time around, I rate it 4.5/5. It is a terrific story that is compelling reading and the questions it raises are great to contemplate for some time after the last chapter.