However, issues regarding parental responsibility were not solely conveyed through the relationship between Victor and the creature. It can be argued that Victor’s strong desire to achieve his ambitions was partially driven through the connection he upheld with his father. This is hinted at in an early stage of the novel, in which Frankenstein has developed a passion for reviewing the works of renowned philosophers and professors. Victor’s father discovers him reading these works and, as Victor explains; ‘My father looked carelessly at the title page of my book and said, “Ah! Cornelius Agrippa! My dear Victor, do not waste your time upon this; it is sad trash”’ (page 34). Instead of taking this comment as a form of discouragement, as would be expected, it serves to propel Victor to acquire the ambition of following through with his passions and pursuing his goals against all odds. Tabula rasa would suggest that, in these circumstances, Frankenstein’s father disregards his duties as a parent, in the sense that he is supposed to provide his son with support in all of his endeavours.
Furthermore, the association existing between Elizabeth, William and Victor’s father portrayed a form of parental responsibility. Elizabeth assumes the role of a motherly figure for William following Mrs. Frankenstein’s passing, providing a sense of warmth and security. It can be suggested, nonetheless, that she and Victor’s father were not as concerned with their roles and the responsibilities associated with them, evident when Ernest and William are allowed to venture around alone. In a letter to Victor, Mr. Frankenstein recounts; ‘… and then we discovered that William and Ernest, who had gone on before, were not to be found. We accordingly rested on a seat until they should return’ (page 78). In regards to appropriate methods of parental responsibility, the death of William could have been prevented had he been accompanied by his father and Elizabeth.
Furthermore, the association existing between Elizabeth, William and Victor’s father portrayed a form of parental responsibility. Elizabeth assumes the role of a motherly figure for William following Mrs. Frankenstein’s passing, providing a sense of warmth and security. It can be suggested, nonetheless, that she and Victor’s father were not as concerned with their roles and the responsibilities associated with them, evident when Ernest and William are allowed to venture around alone. In a letter to Victor, Mr. Frankenstein recounts; ‘… and then we discovered that William and Ernest, who had gone on before, were not to be found. We accordingly rested on a seat until they should return’ (page 78). In regards to appropriate methods of parental responsibility, the death of William could have been prevented had he been accompanied by his father and Elizabeth.