Frank
Mary Shelley uses different types of irony throughout her novel Frankenstein to draw her readers in and to put an emphasis on her characters. Not only does the irony place emphasis on the characters it also helps build the tone and theme of the novel. Throughout the novel Frankenstein it is very obvious that Victor Frankenstein has changed dramatically. In the beginning Victor Frankenstein was a sane, ambitious man who focused on his studies but as time goes on and he creates a creature he begins to lose his sanity. Victor states “all my speculations and hopes are as nothing; and, like the archangel who aspired to omnipotence, I am chained in an eternal hell”. By Victor stating that he is expressing how he regrets taking the omnipotent role because it has literally brought him nothing but hell because when Victor created the creature he was playing the role of God. At the time Victor didn’t know the repercussions of his actions. That is an example of cosmic irony because cosmic irony occurs when a situation or event thought to have a positive outcome results in a negative outcome. Throughout Frankenstein the novel we learn that as a human being we cannot take on the role of God, which is also a theme. Victor learned that he has no right in trying to play the role of God. The creature, which is known as Frankenstein, is Victor’s creation. As time went on in the story the creature suffered from loneliness because Victor abandoned him due to the fact that he didn’t necessarily know that Frankenstein would actually work as he planned. We see in the novel that due to Frankenstein being on his own all the time he learned to fend for himself by reading and understanding the language. Frankenstein the creature stated "the fallen angel becomes a malignant devil. Yet even that enemy of God and man had friends and associates in his desolation. I am alone." That statement shows that he has always felt isolated and alone and all he wanted was to be adored by his creator.