Victor Frankenstein: The Tragic Hero Of Frankenstein

ENGB220 FINAL ESSAY

Tracy Tou Ka Man

A-B2-2129-1

1. In your opinion, who is the hero of Frankenstein: Victor Frankenstein or the monster? Why? How did Mary Shelley influence your choice (you may discuss the ways she reveals her characters)?

In my opinion, Victor Frankenstein is the hero of Frankenstein. He is a tragic hero and a scientist who is obsessed with creating life from lifeless things. After Victor created the monster, he ran away. After Victor created monster, he wanted to destroy the monster as it felt it needed revenge against his creator. We will focus on three aspects to explain why Victor Frankenstein is the tragic hero of Frankenstein. First, we will discuss how his characteristics fit the definition of tragic hero. Second,

In the beginning of the novel, his background is explained, “I am by birth a Genevese, and my family is one of the most distinguished of that Republic.” He was going abroad for his higher education, so he comes from noble background. Victor is also a mortal; he is completely human, without any differences. His fault is not completely his, as his father pushed him in early education of science. As a tragic hero, his fall is a result of his own choice and action. These actions lead his family to suffering, and Victor loses his dear ones. Walton said to Victor, “feel his own worth, and the greatness of his fall”. His suffering is not without reason. Victor loses not only family, but also those who he cares for, Elizabeth, Justine and William, and best friend Clerval. Each of them are not only dear to him, but also symbolise the good in the world - love, bravery, morality, kindness, and innocence. Victor describes Elizabeth as “the purest creature of Earth” and “the living spirit of love”; his best friend Clerval was “a boy of singular talent and fancy”; Justine and William as “the most amiable and benevolent of all creatures”, and “a smiling babe full of innocence and joy”. But they all are killed by Victor’s dark creation, the

After his mother’s death, he has an idea of bringing the dead back to life. He creates a monster with the remains of deceased. The creation turned out so ugly that he chose to abandon it. Before the monster was hurt by people inexorability, the monster’s nature was kind and he did not want to harm any one. The creation was driven by revenge and became a real monster. He swears to take revenge on his creator, Victor, so he killed Victor’s friends and family one by one. In the end, the monster also killed Victor’s wife Elizabeth. It wanted Victor to know how it felt during its life, lonely and misunderstood.

In the middle of the novel, Victor makes a statement to Walton about his destiny, trying to use his own experience to exhort, change, and prevent Walton’s desire and passion for adventure. In the novel, he spoke in broken accents: “Unhappy man! Do you share my madness? Have you drunk also of the intoxicating draught? Hear me; let me reveal my tale, and you will dash the cup from your lips!” He constantly warns Walton if he is blind to the pursuit of his passion, then he will fall into the abyss that would cost a heavy