frankenstein
Although the female characters in Frankenstein are not given significant importance in a direct role, their influence upon Victor Frankenstein drives the entire plot. Victor's descent into madness begins immediately after his mother's death. Prior to his mother's death he led an ideal life as Victor clearly states, "No human being could have passed a happier childhood than myself".When Victor turned seventeen he was to attend university but was detained by, "the first misfortune of my life occurred-an omen, as it were, of my future misery". His mother died of scarlet fever. This had a hugely profound effect on Victor. At first he could not bring himself to admit that she had truly passed on, " It is so long before the mind can persuade itself that she, whom we saw every day, and whose very existence appeared a part of our own, can have departed for ever--that the brightness of a beloved eye can have been extinguished, and the sound of a voice so familiar, and dear to the ear, can be hushed, never more to be heard. These are the reflections of the first days; but when the lapse of time proves the reality of the evil, then the actual bitterness of grief commences".Victor was in the midst of the grieving process, therefore wa
However, we only get out of something what we put into it. You refuse my just demand; I have but one resource, and I devote myself, either in my life or death, to his destruction". However, melancholy can be the starting point of madness. As part of working through (or ignoring) his grief, he took everything that was ugly and miserable from his life and put it into that creation. The melancholic individual is inherently more sensitive than others, and if the situation allows, becomes increasingly susceptible to everything. Suicide being the only way to completely end the madness. In his attempt to eradicate his suffering, he chose to direct his efforts to the very source of what distressed him, which was to obliterate the finality of death itself. Victor expected his endeavors to culminate in the production of a creature that was beautiful, as was the love for his mother. I had desired it with an ardor that far exceeded moderation; but now that I had finished, the beauty of the dream vanished, and breathless horror and disgust filled my heart". For this I had deprived myself of rest and health. 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. It is utterly appropriate that this monster born of grief only brings forth more grief for the creator. If one looks at this story as a path of self-destruction; Victor's grief over his mother leading to the creation of the monster, which then leads to a vicious circle of death and more grief, all culminating in the destruction of the creator- it could be looked upon as being an slow form of suicide. s in no shape to embark on another traumatic event -his departing for university as planned, leaving behind his entire support system. In this passage, Victor Frankenstein describes the birth of his obsession to find the cure for death, "I felt as if my soul were grappling with a palpable enemy; one by one the various keys were touched which formed the mechanism of my being: chord after chord was sounded, and soon my mind was filled with one thought, one conception, one purpose.
Common topics in this essay:
Victor Frankenstein,
Elizabeth Victor,
,
victor frankenstein,
influence victor frankenstein,
mother's death,
madness victor,
female characters,
influence victor,
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