Analyzing Erikson's Eight Stages Of Psychosocial Development

Erik Erikson is an impactful name in the realm of psychology. He designed a theory believing that all humans go through eight stages of development from birth up until death that is influenced by their environment.. In the novel Frankenstein by Mary Shelley, the author connects the monster to Erik Erikson’s psychosocial development to progress his character and the actions he commits.

The initial weeks of the monster’s existence are important for the development of the monster and learning how to live life on earth, but with the environment he was created into, he fails to develop basic human behaviors. Erik Erikson’s eight stages of psychosocial development starts off with the idea of trust vs. mistrust where a newborn relies on their caregiver

stagnation. This is an important stage in a human's life according to Erikson where a person makes their mark on the world. The monster portrays this step in life by making his mark with killing Victor’s loved ones. The creature wanted his female companion, but didn’t receive it because Victor refused. In response, the monster decides to make his mark and go out for revenge. The creature went out and killed Victor’s very close friend Henry: “It appeared to be a handsome young man, about five and twenty years of age. He had apparently been strangled, for there was no sign of any violence except the black mark of fingers on his neck”(Shelley). As state before, the creature is beginning to make his mark by killing as many of Victor’s loved ones as possible. Later on in the novel the creature goes out for Elizabeth and kills her as well, taking away every person Victor had in his life, but he wasn’t done and wanted to kill more. However, the monster’s mind switches gears leading him to the last stage ego integrity vs. despair. This last stage is meant as a reflection. A person is supposed to feel as if they have completed all they wanted to in life, or they feel as if they have more to do and didn’t make their mark. The creature begins that reflection by becoming sympathetic and regretful for all he has done: “When I run over the frightful catalogue of my sins, I cannot believe that I am the same creature whose thoughts were once filled with sublime and transcendent visions of the beauty and the majesty of goodness. But it is even so; the fallen angel becomes a malignant devil. Yet even that enemy of God and man had friends and associates in his desolation; I am alone” (Shelley). This is the turning point of the novel where the creature now regrets every action