What Does Frankenstein Do After His Creation Comes To Life

What Does Frankenstein Do After His Creation Comes to Life? A Deep Dive into Victor's Actions and Their Consequences

Victor Frankenstein's creation of life is arguably the most famous moment in Mary Shelley's novel, but the aftermath is equally compelling and far more complex. What does Frankenstein do after his creation comes to life? The answer is multifaceted, revealing a character driven by terror, guilt, and a profound sense of responsibility he ultimately fails to meet. This article will delve into Victor's actions following the momentous event, exploring his immediate reactions, his subsequent choices, and the devastating repercussions of his inaction and misguided attempts at resolution.

The Initial Horror and Flight:

The moment of creation is portrayed with a chilling intensity. The initial reaction is one of abject horror. Victor doesn't celebrate his scientific triumph; instead, he recoils in disgust from the grotesque being he has brought into existence. His creation, far from being the beautiful, benevolent creature of his imagination, is a monstrous spectacle: "How can I describe my emotions at this catastrophe, or how delineate the wretch whom with such infinite pains and care I had endeavoured to form?" This immediate revulsion sets the stage for Victor's subsequent actions – a frantic escape from the responsibility he has so carelessly incurred. He flees from his creation, abandoning it to its fate, a decision that will have catastrophic consequences for both himself and the creature. This act of abandonment is a crucial element that defines Victor's character. It establishes him not as a mad scientist, but as a man consumed by fear and self-preservation. It sets the tone for his future interactions with the creature, fueled by a desperate need to distance himself from the horrifying consequences of his actions.

The Weight of Guilt and the Erosion of Sanity:

The escape is not just a physical one; it is a psychological flight from the weight of his guilt. Victor's immediate reaction is not solely driven by fear of the creature, but also by a deep and growing sense of guilt and responsibility. He understands, even at this early stage, that he has unleashed something dangerous and unpredictable upon the world. This guilt, however, doesn't lead him to confront his creation and attempt to mitigate the potential harm; instead, it spirals into self-destructive behavior. The horror of his creation chips away at his mental stability. His guilt manifests as nightmares, hallucinations, and a general decline in his physical and mental health. This psychological deterioration is central to understanding his subsequent actions and his inability to effectively deal with the consequences of his creation. His guilt is a constant, gnawing presence, preventing him from finding any true peace or resolution. This internal turmoil directly affects his ability to make rational decisions, contributing to the escalating tragedy of the narrative.

Failed Attempts at Atonement and the Cycle of Violence:

Following the initial flight, Victor undertakes a series of actions that could be interpreted as attempts at atonement, though they are ultimately misguided and ineffective. He returns home, seemingly attempting to regain a sense of normalcy, but the weight of his secret and the horrifying images of his creation continue to haunt him. This period of supposed normalcy is punctuated by the overwhelming fear of the creature finding him, a fear that consumes his thoughts and further erodes his already precarious mental state. His later attempts to create a female companion for the creature, ultimately abandoned out of fear, showcase a misguided attempt to resolve the conflict, but only serve to further complicate the situation and highlight his inability to take decisive action to confront the danger he created. He attempts to control the situation, but his actions frequently backfire, escalating the violence and death that characterize the narrative. This cycle of fear, guilt, and misguided attempts at resolution is central to the tragedy of Victor Frankenstein's story.

The Pursuit and the Tragic Consequences:

Victor's pursuit of his creation is not a straightforward attempt to capture or destroy it. It’s more a frenzied chase, fueled by fear and the desire to distance himself from the horrifying consequences of his actions. This pursuit intensifies as the creature's actions become more violent, leading to several deaths that directly impact Victor's life. The deaths of William, Justine, and Henry are devastating blows, pushing Victor further into despair and reinforcing his guilt. The pursuit becomes a desperate race against time, a desperate attempt to avert further catastrophe, but his actions are often fueled by panic rather than a well-thought-out strategy. This desperate pursuit and the tragic consequences that follow highlight his deep-seated fear and his inability to handle the monstrous reality he has created. The cyclical nature of violence – the creature killing in response to Victor’s abandonment and rejection – creates a horrifying feedback loop that drives the narrative forward.

The Ultimate Failure and Victor's Legacy:

Ultimately, Victor's actions after his creation comes to life represent a colossal failure. His initial act of abandonment sets the stage for a chain of events that lead to immense suffering and death. His attempts at atonement are feeble and ultimately ineffective. He fails to take decisive action to control the creature he created, instead allowing events to spiral out of control. His relentless pursuit, driven by fear and guilt, is itself a source of further tragedy. Victor's story isn't simply one of a mad scientist unleashing chaos; it's a cautionary tale about the responsibilities that come with power, the dangers of unchecked ambition, and the devastating consequences of fear and inaction. His legacy is one of destruction, not just through the direct actions of his creation, but also through his own inability to confront and resolve the situation he created. His failure highlights the profound moral and ethical implications of scientific advancement without corresponding responsibility and foresight.

Beyond the Immediate Actions: The Broader Implications

Victor's actions, or rather his inactions, following the creation of his monster are not just a series of isolated events. They are symptomatic of a deeper issue: the failure to take responsibility for one's creations. Shelley's novel serves as a powerful allegory for the dangers of unchecked ambition and the ethical considerations that should accompany scientific advancement. Victor's obsessive pursuit of knowledge without considering the potential consequences is a cautionary tale relevant even today, in an age of rapid technological and scientific progress. His story prompts us to consider the ethical implications of our own advancements and the responsibility we bear for the consequences of our actions.

The Psychological Impact on Victor:

The creation of the monster profoundly impacts Victor's psychological state. The initial horror quickly gives way to a deep-seated guilt and despair that consumes him. This mental turmoil significantly influences his subsequent actions. He is unable to function normally, plagued by nightmares and hallucinations, which impairs his judgment and ability to make rational decisions. His relationships suffer, and he becomes isolated and increasingly erratic in his behavior. The psychological disintegration of Victor is a crucial element of the narrative, highlighting the profound impact of his actions and demonstrating the destructive power of guilt and self-reproach.

The Creature's Perspective: A Counterpoint to Victor's Actions

Understanding Victor's actions requires considering them in the context of the creature's narrative. The creature's perspective provides a counterpoint to Victor's, highlighting the impact of abandonment and rejection on its development. The creature's descent into violence can be viewed as a direct consequence of Victor's actions. He is initially innocent, but driven by isolation and the lack of connection to become vengeful. Therefore, understanding the complete picture requires acknowledging the shared responsibility between creator and creation. Victor’s failure to nurture the creature, to educate and guide it, is as significant as the initial act of creation itself.

Conclusion: A Legacy of Fear and Responsibility

In conclusion, what Victor Frankenstein does after his creation comes to life is a complex narrative of fear, guilt, and ultimately, failure. His actions, or more accurately, his inactions and misguided attempts at resolution, highlight the significant moral and ethical implications of scientific advancement without corresponding responsibility and foresight. His story serves as a chilling reminder of the potential consequences of unchecked ambition and the importance of considering the broader impact of our actions, especially within the scientific realm. His legacy is not just one of a monstrous creation but also of a man consumed by the horrific repercussions of his own creation and ultimately, his inability to confront them. The enduring power of Frankenstein lies in its ability to provoke these questions about responsibility, morality, and the very nature of humanity.