[he] thought (foolish wretch!) that it might be in [his] power to restore happiness to these deserving people" (77). The creature's display of care and compassion for the cottagers is more humane than most humans are; he retains the innocence and naive characteristics of a child. The creature's grasp of human-like qualities allows the reader to possess sympathy for his situation; he is a victim and Frankenstein is to blame. A true monster would, by definition, have no emotions or remorse, while Frankenstein's creation has a very natural, human desire to be loved and accepted, "Once [the creature] falsely hoped to meet with beings, who, pardoning [his] outward form, would love [him] for the excellent qualities which [he] was capable of bringing forth"(154). Another human characteristic that the creature holds is his conscience, as can be seen at the end of the book after Frankenstein dies. The creature tells Walton, "It is true that I am a wretch. I have murdered the lovely and the helpless; I have strangled the innocent as they slept.You hate me; but your abhorrence cannot equal that with which I regard myself"(155). Compassion, fear, desire to be accepted, and guilt are all very human emotions and characteristics that the creature displays. While Frankenstein is consumed in his work he feels none of the emotions that the creature feels in his first years of life; Victor says of himself, "Winter, spring, and summer, passed away during my labors; but I did not watch the blossom or the expanding leaves- sights which before always yielded me supreme delight, so deeply was I engrossed in my occupation" (33). Frankenstein is obsessed with holding god-like powers, "I ceased to fear or to bend before any being less almighty than that which had created and ruled the elements" (78). At several points in the book Victor has the chance to prevent harm being done to others, but each time he is only concerned with himself.
