Examples Of Loss Of Innocence In Frankenstein

Frankenstein by Mary Shelley is a thematically engrossing novel that follows the treacherous narrative of protagonist Victor Frankenstein as he submits himself entirely to passion and the fervent desire to acquire natural knowledge and the resulting consequences that follow. The outcome of his ardent frenzy of discovery is a monstrous creation that he instantly regrets creating upon first sight. Throughout the Frankenstein novel, Victor and the monster engage in an everlasting mutual war that sets them at ends with each other through their personal pinings for the things that set them apart. It can be proven that throughout the novel the two protagonists come off as both intriguingly similar upon in-depth analysis and strikingly different on

When psychologically wounded and losing the innocence of purity and naivety, it can play a big part in the development or downfall of an individual. In the novel, there are many examples of loss of innocence in both Victor and the creature. When the creature sees his reflection for the first time in a puddle of water, he is absolutely petrified. Up until this point the creature has only perceived his appearance as unsightly based on the reactions he has received. The creature states, “... when I became fully convinced that I was in reality the monster that I am, I was filled with the bitterest sensations of despondence and mortification” (Shelley 94). This foreshadows the detrimental consequences that are to come because of his deformity. Similarly, Victor progressively loses his innocence throughout the novel. Victor deep dives into danger when he explores knowledge as shown in this passage, “Curiosity, earnest research to learn the hidden laws of nature, gladness akin to rapture, as they were unfolded to me, are among the earliest sensations I can remember” (Shelley 22). The bubbling treachery that is to come buds in this excerpt where Victor recalls the moment he felt the desire to acquire knowledge. As events unfold and damage has been done, in this passage he states, “The cup of life was poisoned forever, and although the sun shone upon me, as upon the happy and gay of heart, I saw around me nothing but a dense and frightful darkness… I was a shattered wreck - the shadow of a human being. My strength was gone. I was a mere skeleton” (Shelley 160-161). Victor can no longer acknowledge and experience the world with bliss and will never be the same after this excruciating project goes horribly wrong. Both Victor and the creature experience their loss of innocence in ways tailored to their individuality, but somehow their experiences coincide with reasons relating to one