Slave v. Master: Motif

One major motif apparent in Frankenstein, a novel by Mary Shelley, is that of a slave and his master. Throughout the majority of the novel, there is a constant battle for power between the creator and the creature. Initially, Victor had all of the power, as the creation was simply and idea. However, as it became his obsession, Victor almost became a slave to his work or to the idea of the creature. He never stopped to think about the consequences of his actions, because the prospect of what he could do had taken over his mind, leaving no room for reason. While Victor gained some of that power and control back after creating the creature from the dead and bringing him to life, but as the creature grows older and Victor loses contact with him, the tables began to turn. As the creature became more and more angry with the human race’s disgust and fear of him, he begins to deal with his anger by plotting against Victor. He begins to hold the puppet strings that control Victor’s mood, actions, and health. By murdering Henry Clerval, the creature successfully sends Victor into depression and grave illness, while also getting him sent to prison. By making the right, but morally wrong, decisions, the creature is able to control Victor, just as a master controls his slave. Towards the end of the novel, the creature even refers to Victor as a slave, commanding him to do certain things. The creature states, “Slave, I before reasoned with you, but you have proved yourself unworthy of my condescension,” (Shelley, 122). Not only does the creature call Victor a slave, but he also calls him unworthy. This change in power and role becomes quite obvious as the creature overpowers Victor.