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Loss of Innocence in Frankenstein

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Loss of Innocence in Mary Shelley's Frankenstein

Innocence, throughout time it is lost, varying from who and how much. Throughout the novel Frankenstein there is a central theme of loss of innocence, cleverly instilled by the author, Mary Shelley. This theme is evident in Frankenstein's monster, Victor Frankenstein himself, and three other minor characters that lose their innocence consequently from the two major characters loss.

Frankenstein's monster is destined to lose all innocence as he spirals downward into evil. When the monster is first "born" he can be compared to a baby, young and unknowledgeable to the ways of the world and in need of a caring parent and mentor. Unfortunately his foolish creator neglects the creation and …show more content…

As the novel goes on everyone Victor once cared for are decimated in the path of his creation. "I was possessed by a maddening rage when I thought of him and desired and ardently prayed that I might have him within my grasp to wreak a great and signal revenge on his cursed head" (Shelley 103). Now, due to his unwavering lust for knowledge, all that was once good and innocent has been stripped from him. This has left him as a former shell of himself, to be compared with his own creation, solely driven by vengeance.

The loss of innocence in the first two major characters branches out and in a snowball effect causes a loss of innocence in three minor characters. After the monster has lost his innocence and is beginning his rampage he murdered an innocent young child because he happened to be related to his creator. "The child still struggled and loaded me with epithets which carried despair to my heart: I grasped his throat to silence him, and in a moment he lay dead at my feet" (Shelley 83). This young boys promising life had been prematurely extinguished and with it the completely innocent soul of a child. The monster then proceeds to frame the house maid Justine for the murder of the boy, William. His dastardly plans are brought to fruition as Justine is arrested and forced to confess. "I did confess; but I confessed a lie, I confessed, that I might obtain

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