Selfish Scientist or Tragic Hero?
(Frankenstein as a hero, the modern Prometheus)
Lying on a bed in the dark of a ship, dying of exposure, driven to the brink of insanity, this is not what is typically pictured for the death of a hero. Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein provides us with a protagonist in just this position. Victor Frankenstein is a scientist who has unlocked the key to bringing life to inanimate objects; in doing so Frankenstein has created a monster he is ashamed and afraid of. This rejection by Frankenstein and all of society drives the monster to anger and it begins to kill those close to Frankenstein. Victor Frankenstein then decides to track the monster down and kill it, ultimately this is what leads to his death. Mary Shelley’s
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With a love for knowledge in the field of science Victor is constantly looking into the secrets of the earth. Before his departure to college his sister contracts scarlet fever, their mother also catches it tending to Elizabeth and ends up dying. Driven by this tragedy Victor strives to unlock the secrets of death and life. He wants to improve the science field for future generations, he says, “I was encouraged to hope my present attempts would at least lay the foundations of future success.” Frankenstein is simply an eager young scientist trying to leave his mark. However, his initially pure motives eventually are tainted. A tragic hero has a character flaw that leads to their downfall; this same selfish flaw seperates him from Prometheus.. When Frankenstein attains the knowledge to create life he has crossed a dangerous boundary. Originally pure intentions to do good in the world are now turned into a need to do that which has never been done and take the places of God. Victor admits that he has, “trod heaven in his thoughts.” Once the monster is created and begins its rampage. Frankenstein decides the monster must be destroyed and thus begins his ultimately end all journey to fix his