Irony

In Mary Shelley's Frankenstein, death plays a significant role in Victor Frankenstein's life. For instance, the death of his mother's father is the reason his parents were married, death was the reason the family adopted Elizabeth, and the death of Caroline ultimately stimulated Frankenstein's desire to conquer death. Thus, death inspired the creation of the creature. Frankenstein was able to bring life into a lifeless being. This achievement seemed to be the peak of his accomplishments and the answer to his problems. However, as the story continues, an ironic situation unfolds that may disprove this notion. Death enters the story once again with the death of William, bringing Victor to tears. When he returns home, Victor visits the site of the murder where he has an unexpected an encounter. "A flash of lightning illuminated the object, and discovered its shape plainly to me; its gigantic stature, and the deformity of its aspect, more hideous than belongs to humanity, instantly informed me that it was the wretch, the filthy daemon to whom I had given life....He was the murderer!" (Shelley, 50). Frankenstein concludes that the creature he created was William's murderer. Thus, irony exists between Frankenstein's intent and the outcome of the creation of the monster. Though he had intended to conquer death through his achievement, his monster actually held responsibility for increasing the death in Frankenstein's life.