Examples Of Pride In Frankenstein

In every story, the protagonist possesses some tragic flaw that hinders their ability to accomplish a goal. This essential element of literature closely mirrors the imperfections of humanity and the obstacles that are created each day. Scientific advancements are a result of diversity and discovery. If every brain operated in the same way, the world would never progress and society would fail to progress. Each human possesses an element of pride within themselves and the levels vary. Pride is essential to society because it enhances confidence and encourages people to take risks. Yet, when pride remains uncontrolled, there are detrimental effects to society. An excellent example of these ideas and their connectivity is Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein.

While Victor never explains what he expected from his work, he obviously did not mean to cause the murder of several family members and friends. As his regret is established throughout the novel, readers are led to wonder, what his true intentions were and what exactly clouded his judgment. In the end, Victor’s downfall came down to his pride. As the story progresses, Victor reflects on the dangers of knowledge and “how much happier that man is who believes his native town to be the world, than he who aspires to become greater than his nature will allow” (Shelley 47). In this quotation, Shelley analyzes through Victor how attempting to achieve more than humanly possible, can be the downfall of man. Victor’s happiness is sacrificed because of the destruction the creature inflicts. Throughout the novel, Victor slowly assesses these consequences and the choices that led him to immense suffering and destruction. The entire world that Victor knew came toppling upon him as relationships, trust, and bliss were shattered. The creature slowly inflicts more pain on Victor and each time he suffers more and more. At the end of the novel, Victor has nothing left and his entire world is destroyed. He has no one to blame but himself and he dies with regret in every inch of his being. As he becomes aware of this destruction he has caused, he decides to attempt to mend what he has

She incorporated this idea especially in Victor’s creation process. The fog created by pride lifted a moment too late and Victor began to question his morals and who he truly was. For the rest of the novel, Victor would be too ashamed to admit to his mistakes, in attempts to protect his peace. Another source, written by Michael S. Rose also discusses the thought process of Victor and the mistakes he makes throughout the novel. Rose analyzes Victor's humanity and discusses how it is “too bad that Victor's moral blindness prevents him from becoming fully human himself. Instead, he flounders in his own pride to the detriment of his own existence” (Rose). In some ways, Victor hides in his own pride to escape the disappointment and sadness of the people around them. His moral blindness essentially causes all of his suffering and destruction. If Victor analyzed the world and his role in it, he may have realized the detrimental consequences of creating a new species. Overall, Victor’s lack of morals and social blindness causes him to be consumed by pride and make life-altering