Iconic Characters In Mary Shelley's Frankenstein

In Mary Shelley’s 1817 novel, Frankenstein, we are introduced to iconic characters that will last throughout literary history. The story takes us through the thought process of Dr. Victor Frankenstein as he seeks the the secret to life and creates an intelligent, but rather horrifying monster. The story gives the reader an insight to the monster’s experience as he thrusts into human kind with no help from Victor, who is absolutely horrified by what he has invented. The doctor felt hopeless and abandoned the monster to fend for himself in the world. Throughout the novel, the reader may notice that Dr. Frankenstein has many similarities with the monster: such as signs of schizophrenia, depression, and anxiety.

Victor suffers from schizophrenia.

Throughout the novel Frankenstein you can sense the anxiety and stress that Victor feels as his studies fail and experiments fail after dedicating so much of his life to their success. Victor is so focused on perfection and success, that he often seems compulsive and unable to control his actions. “Generalized anxiety disorder includes persistent and excessive anxiety and worry about activities or events — even ordinary, routine issues. The worry is out of proportion to the actual circumstance, is difficult to control and affects how you feel physically. It often occurs along with other anxiety disorders or depression” (anxiety symptoms and causes) "So much has been done, exclaimed the soul of Frankenstein — more, far more, will I achieve; treading in the steps already marked, I will pioneer a new way, explore unknown powers, and unfold to the world the deepest mysteries of creation." (Shelley,33). While working to create the monster Victor spent many nights awake and not taking care of his health. Anxiety and stress often keep a person from being able to rest. Victor has numerous panic attacks and feelings of fear and terror after the monster is created. “Another form of anxiety is panic disorder which involves repeated episodes of sudden feelings of intense anxiety and fear or terror that reach a peak within minutes (panic attacks). You

Victor Frankenstein is born into a wealthy family and by all accounts is a happy child with the opportunity to have a successful life until he becomes obsessed with the idea of creating human life. Victor quickly becomes obsessed and almost arrogant with the idea of creating life having no idea that he has separated himself from the rest of the world. Victor would tell people that the creation of the monster has ruined his life. “I feel exquisite pleasure in dwelling on the recollections of childhood, before misfortune had tainted my mind and changed its bright visions of extensive usefulness into gloomy and narrow reflections upon self. Besides, in drawing the picture of my early days, I also record those events which led, by insensible steps, to my after tale of misery, for when I would account to myself for the birth of that passion which afterward ruled my destiny I find it arise, like a mountain river, from ignoble and almost forgotten sources; but, swelling as it proceeded, it became the torrent which, in its course, has swept away all my hopes and joys” (Shelley, 24) Even in Victor 's own words he admits to losing his happiness because of his desperate desire to create the monster. Obsession is defined as an idea or thought that continually preoccupies or intrudes on a person’s mind. Victor worked so tirelessly at the university on his theory that he could create life he often didn’t eat or sleep. “Soon [it] became so ardent and eager that the stars often