Compare and contrast Victor and the monster in Frankenstein.

This is an excellent question to consider, because one of
the aspects of this Gothic novel that is so interesting is the way that Shelley creates
a series of relationships that feature the "double" or the "doppleganger." There are a
number of characters who have profound links with each other, and certainly Victor and
the creature he creates are one of these examples of doubles in the
novel.

At first glance, Victor and his creation appear to
have very little in common. Physically, they are poles apart, with the monster being
very tall and strong and of a terrible physical appearance that repels those around him,
making it impossible for him to establish relationships. Victor is of course a "normal"
human with regards to his appearance, and as such is much weaker than the
monster.

However, when we begin to think about it, there do
appear to be a number of similarities between the two characters. Both characters are
recluses, shunning or shunned by civilisation. Of course, Victor chooses to distance
himself from his fellow man, leaving his father, Elizabeth and his family by themselves
deliberately to pursue his scientific research. The monster does not choose to shun man
but is shunned by them. Yet both experience alienation and
isolation.

Secondly, both show themselves to be thinking,
rational and intelligent creatures. Victor's scientific knowledge speaks for itself, but
the monster, too, shows himself to be an extremely intelligent and thoughtful creation.
Note his ruminations on some of the classics that he read whilst observing the De
Laceys:

I can
hardly describe to you the effect of these books. They produced in me an infinity of new
images and feelings that sometimes raised me to ecstasy, but more frequently sunk me
into the lowest
dejection.

The way that the
monster finds literary parallels between his situation and that of Satan in Milton's
Paradise Lost, for example, shows his capacity to reflect and think
creatively--just the kind of qualities that Victor has already shown in gaining the
knowledge necessary to create life.