Is Victor Frankenstein A Hero Essay

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The merriam-webster dictionary defines a hero as a mythological or legendary figure often of descent endowed with great strength or ability. This isn’t always the case. Everyone has their own hero and their own definition of a hero. For some, it’s a celebrity like Johnny Depp or Sandra Bullock. For others, it’s a political figure like Hillary Clinton or Barack Obama. And for many, it’s a parent or guardian figure. The theme of heroes and their survival is very common in works of literature. Works like the Odyssey and the Hobbit both showcase one or more heroes going on long, adventurous journeys to defeat some enemy. Usually, the hero survives and lives in victory or dies in the name of victory. This theme of the survival of a hero is seen …show more content…

Victor Frankenstein was a young scientist who became obsessed with creating life. He spent so much time creating life from the dead that he made himself sick. Eventually, after months of hard work, Victor succeeded. He created a monster from many different dead bodies. When he sees what he has created, he is horrified and regrets his actions immediately. The creature then runs away and attempts to destroy Victor’s life. Victor spends the rest of his life chasing after the monster in an attempt to end him. He loses many of his loved ones along the way and ultimately has nothing to live for. While he begins the novel as a mad scientist, he emerges as a hero. Many would not consider him a hero since he was the one to make the bad decision to create a monster in the first place. But as the novel goes on, he redeems himself with all of his efforts. In the end, he does not kill the monster but dies himself. Victor Frankenstein’s death causes the monster to kill himself. While the ending does not seem like a typical hero ending similar to the ending of 1984, Victor Frankenstein still grew into the character of a hero. From Frankenstein, it can be learned that certain pursuits of knowledge and discoveries are not worth …show more content…

Winston Smith was a low-ranking member of the ruling Party. He becomes frustrated and angry with the oppressive regime he serves. He begins to rebel in small but powerful ways. He becomes involved with a woman, Julia, for pleasure and love. Winston writes in a diary out of free will and writes what he actually wants to think. In a society like the one in 1984, these seemingly small acts are huge acts of rebellion. The totalitarian government does not allow free thought, actions, or emotions. Eventually, both Winston and Julia are discovered and captured. They are tortured and subjected to brainwashing. Torture and brainwashing are not uncommon in this dooming society. Julia betrays Winston, however, Winston does not betray Julia. In the end, he cannot hold up against the brainwashing and comes to love Big Brother, the leader of the party. After he is released, he and Julia no longer have feelings for each other. He goes on to live an easy and mindless life. The only thing he has left is a few memories of a time before the Party. Many would say that Winston is not a real hero. After all, in the end of the novel the government still stands and no real progress can actually be seen. But it is not necessarily the progress that should be measured but instead what was shown and taught similar to how Victor Frankenstein showed us a lesson. Winston did not take down the government, but he did show that the Party can be resisted. It took the