The Significance of Choices in Frankenstein and Uncle Toms Cabin - Book Report/Review Example

Victor's monster, on the other hand, does just the opposite in responding to his difficult circumstances in that he lives his days bent on revenge and will settle for nothing less. Each character illustrates the power of personal choice and free will because they each made a conscious decision and remained true to that choice. Tom emerges a better man because he decides not to let slavery destroy his self-esteem and appreciation for life. The last image we have of Victor's monster is the dejected individual swimming in pain for the rest of his days.

These characters demonstrate the importance of making wise decisions in the worst of circumstances. In Frankenstein, the monster experiences terrible treatment from Victor and other people he encounters because of how he looks. He is never provided the opportunity to reveal his true nature because everyone first judges him on his appearance. Constant rejection and mistreatment make the monster bitter. When the DeLacey's move, he becomes dejected and admits, "For the first time the feelings of revenge and hatred filled my bosom, and I did not strive to control them, but allowing myself to be borne away with the stream, I bent my mind towards injury and death" (Shelley 123).

The monster goes on to kill people that are close to Victor, beginning with Victor's younger brother. After he chokes the innocent boy, he is filled with "hellish triumph" (127) and he realizes that murdering all those that are close to Victor is how he will have revenge. He kills Elizabeth, which breaks Victor's heart and when Victor is holding his dead fiance, he sees the monster grinning at his deed. The monster becomes motivated by hurting someone else and he will not find rest until he has destroyed all that is connected to Victor Frankenstein.

His choice is wrath and while he may seem justified, it does him no good in the end.In Uncle Tom's Cabin, Tom is not a monster but he endures some incredible and frightening circumstances. However, he does not allow these situations to get the best of him. He even attempts to help other people when they are in distress. For example, when Tom encounters the wrath of Legree, he does so on the righteous ground. Even though he knows that if He does did not whip Cassy, he will be whipped, he remains steadfast, telling Legree, "But this yer thing I can't feel it right to do: - and, Mas'r, I never shall do it - never!

" (Stowe 355). Legree calls Tom a black beast for disobeying him and proceeds to beat him. We read that in the "very depth of physical suffering . . . a gleam of joy and triumph" (355) shot through his soul and all he could do was tell Legree that his soul did not belong to him and, because of that, Legree could not harm him. Tom later tells Cassy that becoming bitter only leads to unhappiness. Tom understands the suffering but he does not see that as an excuse to grow "wicked" (358) and he reassures Cassy that their lives will be more productive and better if they turn from bitterness.

Tom chooses to remain positive despite everything and while this seems to be a foolish choice, in the end, he emerges a better man.