Through the creation of the creature he commits sin akin to that of Adam and Eve in Eden and is punished in similar fashion. Frankenstein is forced to leave his garden of Europe and travels to the desolate lands of the arctic. Victor is haunted by his own "miserable reflections" (62). Only after he creates his creature does he see the ramifications of playing God. Upon reflection on his life Victor says, "learn from me, if not by my precepts, at least by my example, how dangerous is the acquirement of knowledge and how much happier that man is who believes his native town to be the world, than he who aspires to become greater than his nature will allow" (31). .
The meaning of knowledge and its pursuit is evident throughout the novel. Innocence is lost and experience is gained which leads to an increase in knowledge and the attainment of wisdom ultimately leads to the decay of man. The creature, after being abandoned by Frankenstein, admits that he was "benevolent and good", but because of his environment and rejection by man he became a "miserable, unhappy wretch". His attainment of knowledge led to his demise as well. The creature knew of the negative effects of his knowledge, stating for example, "Of what a strange nature is knowledge! It clings to the mind, when it has once seized on it, like a lichen on the rock. I wished sometimes to shake off all thought and feeling" (85). .
I don't think Victor ever fully comprehends that he is trying to imitate God, whereas the creature is fully aware of his similarities to Adam. After reading, Paradise Lost, an epic poem about Adam, hell, and original sin, the creature states, "Like Adam I was apparently united by no link to any other being in existence; but his existence was far different from mine in every other respect. He came forth from the hand of God . . .but I was wretched, helpless and alone" (92). Adam came from a perfect being, but yet he was still imperfect and could never attain God's flawlessness.