Another profound truth about humanity demonstrated in Mary
Shelley's Frankenstein is the selfishness of man that dominates his
nature. The subtitle, A Modern Prometheus, even suggests this
selfishness as Prometheus selfishly pursued his desire of bringing man fire even though
he knew Zeus would not approve. This universal selfishness, inherent in both gods
and human nature alike, threads through the entire narrative as with all three major
characters in this novel, their selfish motives take precedence over their rationality,
their practicality, and their concern for even those they
love.
Walton, for insistance, justifies in his letters to
his sister his "love for the marvellous" in pursuing his goal of reaching the North
Pole. Likewise, Victor, selfishly justifies his not reporting the cause of the murder
of his brother William and places blame solely upon the
creature:
When I reflected on his [the creature's] crimes
and malice, my hatred and revenge burst all bounds of moderation. I would have made a
pilgrimage to the highest peak of the Andes, could I, when there, have precipitated him
to their base. I wished to see him again, that i might wreak the utmost extent of
abhorrence on his head, and avenge the deaths of William and Justine. (Chapter
9)
And, similarly, the
creature places blame upon Victor in his murderous revenge against
Victor:
have I not suffered enough that you seek
to increase my misery?....Remember, that I am thy creature; I ought to be thy Adam; but
I am rather the fallen angel, whom thou drivest from joy for no misdeed....Listen to me,
Frankenstein. You accuse me or murder; and yet you would, with a satisfied conscience,
destroy your own creature. (Chapter 10)
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