Final answer:
Victor Frankenstein's obsession with life and death drives him to continue his experiments despite their monstrous implications, leading to the neglect of his family and social responsibilities. The monster's experience as an embodiment of a new "race" highlights themes of otherness and societal rejection. The novel prompts reflections on identity and the morality of scientific ambition.
Step-by-step explanation:
Victor Frankenstein continued his experiments despite the illegal and repulsive nature of his work because of a deep obsession with unlocking the secrets of life and death. This singular pursuit of knowledge and power blinded him to the ethical implications and consequences of his actions. During this time, Frankenstein neglected his family, health, and social responsibilities, living in isolation and driven by his ambition.
The intersection of environment and race in the character of Frankenstein's monster raises complex questions about identity and otherness. The creature is met with fear and hostility not only because of its grotesque appearance, which can be seen as a product of its environment, but also because it embodies a new "race," singular and alien. This fear and hostility lead the creature to experience profound loneliness and rage, ultimately resulting in a cycle of violence.
These explorations in the novel invite readers to reflect on broader societal issues, such as the treatment of those who are considered different and the moral dimensions of scientific pursuit, echoing the concerns of other Gothic literature of the period that delve into the darker aspects of human nature and social hypocrisy.