In Volume 2, Chapter 8 of Frankenstein, the creature is retelling his story to Victor, and filling in accounts of events during gap of time from his creation until the present moment in the story. He makes mention of two specific incidents that he believes made him the way he was. Upon revealing himself to the De Lacey family, the creature was met with horror and abandonment. When the creature saved the girl, he was met with reproach, and subsequently was shot in the shoulder. In both cases the creature merely wanted to interact with humanity and try to save it, but was literally demonized due to his appearance. The creature goes on to cite these incidences as the fuel for his vengeful nature and attributes the murder of William to his specific hatred of the Frankenstein family. In our society there are plenty of cases in which children who have been abused or abandoned rise above their situation at home and become inspirations to those around them, offering help and support to children in similar situations.
Why do you think the creature when to such an extreme length as to murder the family member of a father who was not in his life? How does this reflect Mary Shelley’s own relationship with her own Father?