Introduction
Frankenstein is a classic about a young student, who loves science and scientific inventions. He created a man-monster that eventually caused dreadful events resulting his own demise. Victor Frankenstein is an intelligent and hard-working student who believes that inanimate objects can be created from animate things. He uses his knowledge to create a man-monster and he believes that this discovery will pave ways for many future discoveries in the field of science but when he succeeded in creating a monster he is filled with resentment and loathing. This essay will critically evaluate the transformation of Victor Frankenstein’s character that happens in the course of the book, how his hopeful and optimistic ideas changed into despair and despondency.
Discussion
In the beginning of the book we are introduces with a student of science who believes in himself and in the reliability and wonder of scientific knowledge. He craves for knowledge, and scientific learnings. He is healthy and he is full of life, he is an optimist who believes in the advancement of science and a great future for humanity. “it was the secrets of heaven and earth that I desired to learn; and whether it was the outward substance of things or the inner spirit of nature and the mysterious soul of man that occupied me, still my inquiries were directed to the metaphysical, or in its highest sense, the physical secrets of the world1.” Furthermore, he is social and he loves to meet people and he has healthy relationships both with men and women. Hence, one can argue that he will be a successful scientist by the end of his thirties. The following lines from chapter two reflects the passion of Frankenstein for learning:
In the beginning of the novel a student fill with energy and curiosity to know is toppled down when came face to face with his most miraculous invention, his creation, a man-monster. With the creation of this monster his demise followed, he is dying, he is hopeless and he is alone. His views and his passion for knowledge is radically changed and he has started viewing knowledge as a dangerous thing. Frankenstein’s hamartia is his over-confidence in science and his strong urge to create. The creation is typically associated with God and as the book has many layers of religious connotations, one can argue that Frankenstein’s relentless desire to create paved the ways of his downfall.
By the end of chapter 24, he cries “from my infancy I was imbued with high hopes and a lofty ambition; but how am I sunk! Oh! My friend, if you had known me as I once was, you would not recognize me in this state of degradation. Despondency rarely visited my heart; a high destiny seemed to bear me on, until I fell, never, never again to rise2” (Marry, 262). The lines clearly states the metamorphosis of Frankenstein from a healthy young student to a dying man who strives resolve his present condition but is hopeless and helpless.
Conclusion
The book is regarded as horror fiction but a point can be raised against it, because the book is tragic in its composition, specifically if we closely follow Frankenstein’s transformation, as we have seen that the reversal of fortune is the underlying motif in the book depicted through Frankenstein’s character. The change in his character is emphasized both literally and figuratively. We see how his ideas had been changed as compare to the beginning of the book as well as his health, he is a dying body who suffers and regrets by the end of the book.
End Notes
- Shelley, M. W. (2003). Frankenstein, or, The modern Prometheus. New York: New American Library. (1. P.30) (2. P.233)
