Mirror Image

Frankenstein
Mary Shelley
Pages 120-136

For the second time in the story, Victor Frankenstein is in the process of animating physical life. The two events are very similar in their most basic nature, but the second is presented in a sort of mirror image to the first event of creation. Mirror being the most import word in that phrase because in a mirror, the image is the same, but everything is in reverse from the original. This reversal juxtaposes the two events to highlight the change experienced by Frankenstein as a result of the events which have occurred between the two creations. In the first creation, Frankenstein eagerly anticipates the animation of his creature, and he is full of hopes and dreams that his experiment will fulfill. On the other hand, the second creation is preceded by feelings of doubt and visions of the horror that could occur as a result of the creation. "Had I a right, for my own benefit, to inflict this curse upon everlasting generations?" (Shelley, 121). Also, both creations end with the monster opening the door to interact with his creator. The monster now eloquently is able to speak and even threaten his creator whereas he had barely been able to communicate at their first interaction.

The death of Henry Clerval also sends Victor back into a state of physical and emotional despair. These constant emotional breakdowns illustrate Victor's progressive mental deterioration at the hands of the creature.