In Victor Frankenstein Shelley creates a character driven by his pursuit of scientific discovery. He can be seen as an allegory to the industrial revolution that was changing the world in which Shelley lived in radical ways. Victor makes himself ill in his chase to create his monster, never stopping to think of
Why does the novel prevail on the theme of isolation? This theme is perceived from beginning to end as the story unfolds. Isolation refers to when a person has nothing besides himself or feels out of a group. In this novel, there are three main characters that the reader can perceive as being isolated. The characters are: Robert Walton, Victor Frankenstein, and the creature; however they reflect the theme in different ways.
Victor Frankenstein suffers from Pathological narcissism. Victor has a physical disregard for life and the feelings of others. Victory has a deep desire to be at “the center of things and is served by extreme self-confidence, a combination that makes narcissists attractive and even charming” (Vogel) . For example Victor creates the monster, playing god, then abandons his creation so he can be the center of his monster’s creation, and to get back at god for his mother's death (43). This shows Victor's inability to handle any sense of entitlement about his creation.
In Frankenstein, a novel by Mary Shelley, the story begins with a man named Robert Walton adventuring off on a expedition to the North Pole. While on his journey, Walton and his crew finds a weary man, who is close to death, Victor Frankenstein. From that point forward the story goes on to talk about Victor's life. Victor had a kind and loving family, as well as an innocent childhood. He had a passion for science, and was especially interested in electricity. His fascination becomes an obsession, he separated himself from society and isolated himself in his studies. Victor planned to create life, and was able to accomplish his dreams. His creation was ready to be revealed, but instead of the beautiful creature he imagined, the final
Change is the one thing that nothing is immune to. This is clearly shown throughout Mary Shelley’s, Frankenstein. The novel tells of a scientist, Victor, who just wanted to make something with his life. Victor spends many years of his life in college where he figures out he has the ability to give life to an inanimate object and sets off on a path of creation. A few years later, Victor completes his task and gives life to his grand creation. Victor’s first look at his “masterpiece” horrifies him and he proceeds to run away; leaving his “child” all alone. The paths both Victor and the monster will lead will be obvious as the story progresses. Through indirect characterizations, it is obvious that, both characters undergo changes as the story furthers.
Consumed with the idea of creating life, Victor did not think of the effects his actions would create. The creation of Victor’s monster completely changed Victor both mentally and physically. It also changed society because the monster was the reason why specific people were killed. The chain reaction that was started created a whole new world of chaos. The only thing that saved the rest of the world was the fact that Victor kept the secret of life to himself. The monster took over his mind before it was created, affected his life while it was alive, and was the reason Victor died.
Frankenstein by Mary Shelley tells the story of passionate scientist Victor Frankenstein, whose devotion to science leads him to become obsessed with creating life, but his good intentions lead to a lifelong conflict with his problematic creation. This creature causes pain and suffering for Victor by killing his friends and family, which causes him to feel responsible for their deaths. Ambition’s dark and addictive side got the best of Victor, who became blinded by dreams of glory. Similarly, Don Quixote fails to identify the risks of ambition while exploring Spain. He wants to be a famous knight so badly that he begins to hallucinate obstacles that he must conquer. The outcome of ambition is the defining factor between these novels. Victor’s
When people hear the word “monster”, most people imagine a massive, horrid, and grotesque figure that haunts people. While pondering what a monster is, mankind thinks of the outward appearance. Seldom do people think of man’s internal qualities as being barbaric or gruesome. Authors allow readers to create their own images of these terrifying beings. Frankenstein is a thought-provoking novel that empowers readers to have their own opinions about who the actual monster is and what it looks like. Readers can conclude that Victor Frankenstein is the actual monster in Frankenstein because of how he views himself, how he creates destruction, and how he destroys himself.
In Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein, Victor Frankenstein brings his creation to life and has to endure the repercussions of his actions. While Victor is in fact human, the question of whether the creature or Victor is more human still stands. Humanity is demonstrated as compassionate in the book and monstrosity is the opposite. The creature is more human because of his developed personality and desire to be human. Victor, although born into a humane family, evolved into everything bad about humanity; he developed obsession, resentment, and manipulated life to conform to his idealities. Therefore, Victor is the real monster.
Science covers numerous viewpoints of everyday life and reality. There are numerous studies that include the study of environment, universe, and animals. Another well known study of science is the study of people and life. In “Frankenstein” by Mary Shelley, Victor Frankenstein is an inspiring scientist who researched the dead. Victor hopes to be the first person ever to accomplish the impossible by giving life to the dead. He is so invested in his work that he ignores his personal life. Although, when Victor finally succeeds at achieving his goal, it is not what it seems. Victor’s creation has lead to tragedy and destruction. Hence, Victor Frankenstein is responsible for the outcome of his fate because of his fixation with being god, his disregard to humankind, and his selfishness.
In Frankenstein, by Mary Shelley, Victor Frankenstein spends two whole years toiling to create a being which is comprised of the body parts of various dead corpses, for the purposes of science. Finally, he creates the “monster”, who commits a multitude of crimes, resulting in the deaths of many innocent people.These horrific murders raise many questions concerning who is to be held accountable. Victor walked away from the situation he created instead of facing his actions. If he had chosen to stay this could have prevented the heinous crimes committed by the monster as a result of Victor’s mental and emotional Neglect. Victor Frankenstein is guilty of not only negligence, but also the crimes the monster commits as they were a direct result
In the book Frankenstein by Mary Shelley, the creature is an outcast in society, without a friend in the who world is thrust away by humanity due to his appearance. The creature devolves due to a series of events feeling different emotions for the first time in his life. These experiences due to the fact his creator, Victor Frankenstein turns his back on the creature leaving him to his own instincts on learning how to survive and integrate into society. devices to learn how to survive. becoming helpless, discouraged leading into leading into retaliation of anger and violence.
Knowledge has the capability to be used for both good and evil. In Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein, there is a consistent message throughout the novel showing the dangerous and destructive power that knowledge can have. Two key characters, Victor Frankenstein and his monster, are shaped through their obsessions with knowledge and the power and responsibility that it brings. Ultimately, Victor’s downfall is a result of his uncontrollable thirst for knowledge, and is brought about through the monster which is the embodiment of his obsession.
Mary Shelley shows the endless amount of revenge and that it is driven by pure hatred and rage. The monster was not created to be vengeful, he was kind hearted but when he was poorly treated by Victor and then by the Delacey family, he turned cold. In her novel Frankenstein, Mary Shelley displays the immorality and destructive effects that revenge can have through Frankenstein and his pursuit of the creature.
In your opinion, who is the hero of Frankenstein: Victor Frankenstein or the monster? Why? How did Mary Shelley influence your choice (you may discuss the ways she reveals her characters)?