How is identity questioned in Frankenstein?

Author: Martin Munyao Muinde
Email: ephantusmartin@gmail.com

Introduction

Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein is a profound exploration of identity and its fragility, situated within the broader cultural and intellectual contexts of the Romantic era. The novel does not merely tell a Gothic tale of science gone awry; it delves into the fundamental questions of selfhood, recognition, and the search for meaning. Identity is questioned in Frankenstein through the fragmented narratives of Victor Frankenstein, the Creature, and Robert Walton, each of whom struggles with defining who they are in relation to others and to the broader human condition. Victor questions his identity as a scientist and creator, the Creature battles with the absence of a legitimate social or personal identity, while Walton interrogates his sense of self through his ambitions and isolation. The novel situates identity as a relational construct, one that is shaped by acceptance, recognition, and moral responsibility, but which can also be destabilized by rejection, obsession, and alienation. In doing so, Shelley interrogates how personal and social forces intersect to define identity and how easily that identity can collapse under the weight of ambition, isolation, and societal prejudice.

Victor Frankenstein’s Identity as a Creator

Victor Frankenstein embodies one of the most complex examinations of identity within Shelley’s novel. From his youth, Victor perceives himself as an exceptional figure destined for greatness. His ambition to uncover the mysteries of life is not merely intellectual but also deeply tied to his sense of identity. Victor’s selfhood becomes bound up in the role of creator, and he begins to see himself as a modern Prometheus who will bestow new possibilities upon humankind. His obsession with transcending natural limitations redefines his identity, moving it away from familial and social roles toward one that is exclusively rooted in his scientific pursuits (Shelley, 1818/2008). In this sense, Victor represents the dangers of grounding identity in ambition without balance or accountability, a choice that eventually leads to his disintegration as both a person and a moral agent.

However, once the Creature is brought to life, Victor’s identity as a creator collapses. Rather than embracing his role, he recoils in horror from what he has produced. The contradiction between his ambition to create and his refusal to acknowledge responsibility destabilizes his identity further. He vacillates between perceiving himself as a benefactor to humanity and a cursed figure doomed by his own arrogance. Victor’s inability to reconcile these conflicting aspects of identity leads to a form of self-alienation that mirrors the isolation experienced by the Creature. Shelley thus presents Victor’s identity not as a stable essence but as a fractured and unstable construct shaped by the interplay of ambition, fear, and guilt. In Victor’s case, identity is shown to be questioned when the roles one chooses or assumes cannot be sustained in practice.

The Creature’s Struggle for Identity

Perhaps the most poignant interrogation of identity in Frankenstein occurs through the experiences of the Creature. From the moment of his animation, he is denied recognition and acceptance, leaving him in a state of identity limbo. He is not given a name, which in itself symbolizes the absence of an established identity or belonging. Without a defined position in human society, the Creature is forced to construct his identity from observation, imitation, and self-education. His attempts to learn language, read literature, and emulate human behavior demonstrate his ambition to build an identity rooted in human values and culture (Shelley, 1818/2008). The Creature’s journey underscores the notion that identity is not inherent but constructed through social interaction and recognition.

Nevertheless, the repeated rejection he faces destabilizes his quest for selfhood. When the De Lacey family, who symbolize the hope of social inclusion, reject him in fear, the Creature’s identity fractures between his self-conception as a being capable of kindness and the external perception of him as a monster. This duality exposes how identity is deeply relational, dependent not only on one’s own aspirations but also on the recognition or denial of others. His lack of a secure identity ultimately drives him toward vengeance, suggesting that when identity is consistently denied, it can become destructive. Shelley uses the Creature to interrogate the philosophical question of what constitutes humanity: is it one’s physical form, one’s moral potential, or the capacity for social acceptance? By leaving this question unresolved, Shelley compels readers to consider the instability of identity and the consequences of denying others the recognition necessary for their selfhood (Mellor, 1988).

Walton’s Ambition and Identity

Robert Walton, who frames the narrative through his letters, provides another dimension to Shelley’s interrogation of identity. Like Victor, Walton struggles with ambition and self-definition, seeking greatness through Arctic exploration. His identity is shaped by his desire to transcend ordinary life and achieve glory, a reflection of the Romantic era’s valorization of discovery and conquest. Walton’s letters reveal a deep yearning for validation and companionship, suggesting that his identity is unsettled not only by ambition but also by isolation. His encounter with Victor allows Shelley to draw parallels between the two men, showing how unchecked ambition can destabilize one’s identity by creating a rift between personal desires and broader ethical responsibilities.

Walton, however, differs from Victor in that he ultimately reassesses his ambitions. When faced with the prospect of losing his crew, he chooses to abandon his pursuit of glory and preserve human life. This decision marks a pivotal moment in the novel’s exploration of identity. Unlike Victor, whose identity collapses entirely under the weight of his ambition, Walton reclaims a sense of self rooted in human connection and responsibility. Through Walton, Shelley suggests that identity is not a fixed state but a dynamic process, one that can be redefined through reflection and ethical choice. In contrast to Victor and the Creature, Walton demonstrates the possibility of reconstructing identity in ways that balance ambition with empathy and responsibility.

Identity and Social Alienation

One of the central ways Frankenstein questions identity is by highlighting the role of social alienation. Both Victor and the Creature experience forms of isolation that destabilize their sense of self. For Victor, his obsession with creation leads him to withdraw from his family, fiancée, and friends, severing the social bonds that form the foundation of personal identity. In contrast, the Creature’s alienation is imposed externally, as he is rejected by society due to his appearance. In both cases, Shelley underscores how identity cannot flourish in isolation but requires recognition and belonging within a social context (Shelley, 1818/2008).

The theme of alienation also raises questions about the boundaries of human identity. The Creature is both human and not human, simultaneously embodying the traits of human intellect and emotion while being excluded from human society. His ambiguous identity challenges rigid definitions of humanity and forces readers to confront uncomfortable questions about who is granted recognition as fully human. Shelley suggests that identity is not an intrinsic quality but a social construct, dependent on the categories and perceptions imposed by others. In this way, Frankenstein questions not only individual identity but also the broader frameworks through which societies define belonging and exclusion.

Identity, Responsibility, and Morality

Shelley also interrogates the moral dimensions of identity in Frankenstein. Identity is not simply a matter of self-perception or social recognition but is deeply intertwined with responsibility. Victor’s refusal to take responsibility for his Creature fractures his identity as a creator and as a moral being. The Creature’s demand for recognition and companionship highlights the ethical obligations that accompany creation, suggesting that identity cannot be separated from accountability. In refusing to accept responsibility, Victor destabilizes not only his own identity but also the Creature’s, setting in motion the cycle of vengeance that defines the novel’s tragedy (Mellor, 1988).

Moreover, Shelley raises the question of whether identity can exist in the absence of moral responsibility. The Creature, despite his violent acts, often appears more morally reflective than Victor, particularly in his recognition of his own isolation and his appeals for empathy. This inversion complicates simplistic definitions of identity based on creator and creation, human and monster. Shelley suggests that moral responsibility, rather than appearance or origin, should be central to how identity is defined. By destabilizing traditional markers of identity, the novel critiques the inadequacy of social and cultural frameworks that prioritize external categories over moral substance.

Conclusion

Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein persistently questions identity by exploring its relational, social, and moral dimensions. Through Victor Frankenstein, the novel reveals how identity can collapse when grounded solely in ambition and hubris without responsibility. Through the Creature, Shelley interrogates the precariousness of identity in the absence of recognition and belonging, illustrating how rejection and alienation fracture selfhood. Through Robert Walton, the text demonstrates that identity is dynamic, capable of being redefined through ethical reflection and choice. The novel further critiques the social frameworks that exclude certain beings from recognition, showing that identity is not intrinsic but socially constructed and morally situated. In doing so, Frankenstein compels readers to reflect on the fragility and complexity of identity, raising questions that remain profoundly relevant in contemporary discussions of human dignity, scientific ethics, and social inclusion. Ultimately, Shelley’s narrative demonstrates that identity is never fixed but is constantly negotiated through ambition, recognition, responsibility, and belonging.

References

Mellor, A. K. (1988). Mary Shelley: Her life, her fiction, her monsters. Routledge.

Shelley, M. (2008). Frankenstein: The 1818 Text (M. Butler, Ed.). Oxford University Press. (Original work published 1818)