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Personality Disorders Evident Mary Shelley's Frankenstein

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An Analysis of the Personality Disorders Evident Mary Shelley 's Frankenstein Mary Shelley wrote her masterpiece, Frankenstein when she was 19 years old, at a time when the field of psychology was in its infancy. And yet, despite her age and sparse psychological knowledge, her famous tale shows a remarkable insight into the human psyche. Not solely in the case of the monster, who’s representation of humanity has long been remarked upon, but also in the novel 's assumed hero, Victor Frankenstein. For, when Victor is examined with a modern insight into the workings of the human brain, we find he is not a tragic hero but a man plagued by a troubled mind. In the years since Frankenstein’s release many readers of the famous narrative have come to regard Victor Frankenstein with little affection. They cite his selfish and reckless behavior, which frequently cause the misery which torments him. However, Victor’s self-centered nature, goes beyond simply a flaw of character, it is indicative of a deeper affliction, narcissistic personality disorder; or NPD. NDP is characterized by an over inflated sense of self, beyond what is developmentally appropriate. Classic symptoms of NDP “are grandiosity, a lack of empathy for other people, and a need for admiration. People with this condition are frequently described as arrogant, self-centered, manipulative, and demanding. They may also concentrate on grandiose fantasies (e.g. their own success, beauty, brilliance) and may be
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