Despite centuries of judicial practice and reform, guilt remains a vague and obscure concept. The definition and source of guilt are two major themes contemplated in Mary Shelley's Frankenstein. The character of Victor Frankenstein embodies the deliberation of guilt and innocence. Victor did not create his monster with malicious intent; explains to Captain Walton: “Following these reflections, I thought, that if I could give animation to lifeless matter, I could in the course of time (even if I now found it impossible) renew life where death had apparently devoted the body to corruption. ” (49). Frankenstein was pursuing immortality for the sake of his family or perhaps to resurrect his deceased mother. Frankenstein is not tormented by guilt over animating the creature; he was simply shocked by his realization of power. He says that in the moment of animation “a breathless horror and disgust filled his heart” (54). creature was responsible for the murder of William who for the first time felt absorbed by guilt After witnessing the creature at the site of William's murder, he laments: “Alas, I had let loose into the world a depraved wretch, the. Whose pleasure was in carnage and misery; had he killed my brother?” (77) Victor maintains this guilt during Justine's trial and condemnation. “From the tortures of my heart, I turned to contemplate the deep and silent pain of my Elizabeth father, and the desolation of that smiling house – everything was the work of my thrice-cursed hands” (92) Victor even refers to himself as the “t...... center of the paper……”. Who blames the monster? This is not clear. He says to Victor: “I am malicious because I am unhappy. Am I not shunned and hated by all mankind… Will I respect man when he despises me?” (163).The creature refuses to remain submissive to society's rejection but only seeks revenge by killing Victor's family: “I will cause fear; . Take care of yourself: I will work towards your destruction” (163). Unfortunately, the creature does not offer a concrete answer and perhaps it is not our task to find it in the novel. I think Shelley dances around the conflict between guilt and innocence to heed the warning addressed to readers of the novel: our actions and activities – whether individual or social research – have consequences and we have the responsibility to assume these consequences..