Reading through part II & III of Frankenstein proved to be quite enjoyable for me. One phrase stood out to be perhaps one of the most important of the entire novel. It’s a phrase that helps define the monster’s motive for the murder and vengeance of his creator. As Frankenstein describes, “The monster saw the determination in my face , and gnashed his teeth in the impotence of his anger. ‘Shall each man,’ cried he, ‘find a wife for his bosom, and each beast have his mate, and I be alone? I had feelings of affection, and they were requited by detestation and scorn. Man, you may hate; but beware!….It is well. I go; but remember, I shall be with you on your wedding-night‘” (140). My first response upon reading this phrase was strictly plot-based. Frankenstein’s monster later comes back on his wedding night to murder Elizabeth, much to Frankenstein’s surprise. This initial phrase is a warning by the monster to watch out. Yet on return to it, I figured this assessment only scratches upon the surface. To dig deeper, the monster essentially sums up his entire motive for revenge. Initially, Frankenstein believes that the monster is going to murder him, and can’t bear to imagine his soon-to-be wife going through such pain. But the monster’s motive is to make Frankenstein himself miserable, to long to die, living as a curse. To do this he aims to kill Elizabeth. Yet furthermore, looking back we see that Frankenstein abandoned his monster. From the monster’s point of view, one of the first things he encounters upon opening his eyes is Frankenstein running out of the room. In fact, the entirety of his life, the only thing he experienced is abandonment. I believe it is quite possible that the monster, instead of purely trying to gain vengeance on Frankenstein, tries to replace himself into Frankenstein’s life. This could be an alternative meaning to this phrase to be with Frankenstein on his wedding night. What do you all think? Is it possible that he is trying to replace Elizabeth and not just take her away from Frankenstein?
