Vol. 2 Chapters 8-9: Negotiating with the Creature

The monster that Victor Frankenstein creates strikes a close parallel to the character of Adam in Milton's Paradise Lost. Like Adam, the monster really never really had a chance to meet his father. He was immediately cast aside and his creator wanted nothing to do with him. He too never really had a chance to know God, his creator, since he was rejected from Eden. Frankenstein's monster did not choose to be rejected by his father, but he did not have any control over his appearance.  Another connection between Adam and the monster is the fact that they are both very lonely and wish for companionship. The monster, while reading Paradise Lost says, "Like Adam, I was apparently united by no link to any other being in existence" (Shelley 124). Adam simply asks God for a mate and he is given one. However, when the monster asks Victor to create a mate for him, he is strung along until Victor decides that he is not willing to help the monster. The monster sees that Adam was allowed to converse with other beings and animals, but he "was wretched, helpless, and alone" (Shelley 124). He is unable to get anyone to talk to him, as people are always offended by his outward appearance, despite the fact that he is simply a lonely man looking for acceptance. Finally, there is a distinct connection between Adam and the monster in the way that they both become self aware of themselves. Adam discovers the tree of knowledge, and even though he knows it is forbidden to eat from the tree, he does so anyways and becomes aware of himself. The monster discovers the bag full of books and upon reading them, begins to ask questions much like the way Adam did when he stumbled upon his knowledge.

During these chapters, Victor continues to listen to the creature and a negotiation begins to take place.  This post asks you to assume the role of Victor again and consider things from his perspective.


Begin this post by first reacting to the incredible story that your creation has told you and then discuss how you feel about the specific instances and what they really mean to you.  Be sure to include in your post the following instances: what the creature learned by watching the family, the ability of the creature to survive, what the creature learned from reading Paradise Lost and you laboratory journal, the creatures potential to be helpful and harmful to the world, and your initial reaction about it's insistence for you to create a mate.