Reaction to Frankenstein

Mary Shelley's novel, Frankenstein, ranks near the top of my favorite books read thus far in high school. I enjoy reading it because there are so many different facets in the story, and the book becomes harder and harder to put down. The beginning of the novel focused on Victor's mental struggle after creating the monster. "I had worked hard for nearly two years, for the sole purpose of infusing life into an inanimate body. For this I had deprived myself of rest and health. I had desired it with an ardour that far exceeded moderation; but now that I had finished, the beauty of the dream vanished, and breathless horror and disgust filled my heart," (Shelley 43). I, personally, was bewildered by Victor's response. Why would he poor his heart and soul into a project, and then be disgusted by it? Another controversial topic in this novel, as discovered through an intense class debate, was whether or not Victor should create a companion for the creature. Both sides have valid arguments. Contrary to what I proclaimed in class, I do not think Victor should create another monster. He should actually dispose of the present creation, and save man from further destruction.
In the early 1800's people were intrigued by the possibility of creating life from an inanimate object. To be more specific, bringing the dead back to life. This practice was called Galvanism, and was extremely popular. "In March 1815, Mary Shelley dreamed of her dead infant daughter held before a fire, rubbed vigorously, and restored to life. At the time, scientists would not have wholly dismissed such a possibility," (http://www.nlm.nih.gov/hmd/frankenstein/frank_birth.html). Mary Shelley's life was full of tragedy, which could have been the basis for her novel, Frankenstein.