Shelley's View of Victor Himself as Shown in Frankenstein pg. 33

     In Frankenstein, Mary Shelley develops a complex character of Victor Frankenstein as shown when he creates the monster. At first, Victor says that he would be appreciated by the new species as the creator, and that many “happy and excellent” natures would owe him for their existence (Shelley 33). Victor even goes as far to say that he should receive more gratification from his creation that a son would give to his father. This statement demonstrates that Victor is seeking glory and believes that he is performing a good deed for all living things.  
     However, Victor seems to change his perspective regarding his creation. He inquires that he starts to lose his “soul or sensation but for this one pursuit,” suggesting that his mindset is becoming increasing negative as he progresses in his endeavors (Shelley 33). Victor as a character is becoming more complex as he speaks, because he loses the passion and motivation of his soul, when at the same time he is trying to give the creation a soul. In addition, Shelley seems to depict Victor in a more hostile attitude towards his creation by the time he is almost done preparing it. When Victor Frankenstein says, “Who shall conceive the horrors of my secret toil?” it suggests that he does not have the same affection for his creation than that when he first commenced. Shelley shows that the work that Victor has been undertaking has been taking a serious toll on his mental well-being. He no longer has the desire to be with his companions, but he nevertheless continues to have “frantic impulses” to make the creation.  It seems that Shelley is condoning Victor’s attempt to recreate life in a being that has previously been dead throughout the entire novel. This passage in the novel is abundant with verbal tension, reflecting the mental state of Victor as he creates the monster. Although Victor is surely working with tremendous ardor, Shelley ultimately shows that tampering with the workings of nature will only result in suffering on the perpetrator’s part.