A Comprehensive Analysis of Literary Protagonists - Sykalo Evgen 2023

Victor Frankenstein - “Frankenstein” by Mary Shelley

A Comprehensive Character Analysis of Victor Frankenstein in Mary Shelley's "Frankenstein"

Character Type Identification: Vibrant Protagonist with Tragic Flaws

The dynamic protagonist Victor Frankenstein, the name of Mary Shelley's "Frankenstein," has a tremendous metamorphosis during the story. Victor is introduced in the novel as an aspirational and inquisitive young man who is passionate about learning and scientific advancement. But as the story progresses, he turns into a tragic figure who is troubled by the fallout from his deeds.

Examine the Character's Function in the Tale: Tragic Hero and Protagonist

The protagonist, Victor Frankenstein, propels the story along with his audacious quest to create life. Rather from being a conventional hero, he is a tragic hero personified. His fatal flaw—unbridled ambition and hubris—leads to his demise and the anguish of those around him as he attempts to play God by creating life.

Analyze the Character's Past: Aspiring Education and Upbringing

Victor's character is greatly influenced by his upbringing. He is raised in an affluent Geneva family and is surrounded by privilege and love. His early years ignite his passion in science, and the University of Ingolstadt provides him with a thorough education. His drive to advance human knowledge and his scientific curiosity are influenced by this background.

Examine the Character's Hubristic, Guilt-Ridden, and Ambitious Personality Traits

Ambition, intellectual curiosity, and an unshakable drive for scientific success are some of Victor's defining characteristics. But when these qualities are paired with his arrogance, he crosses ethical lines that could be dangerous. Throughout the entire narrative, Victor is plagued by feelings of regret and guilt, particularly as the results of his deeds become apparent.

Assess the Character's Interactions: Effect on Friends and Family

The plot benefits greatly from the depth and significance of Victor's relationships. He has a close relationship with his family, especially Elizabeth and his father, but his infatuation with learning causes trouble. In contrast to his scientific pursuits, Victor's friendship with Henry Clerval offers an insight into his sympathetic and human side. Nevertheless, as Victor's experiments consume him, these relationships suffer.

Examine the Character's Behavior: The Creature's Creation and Abandonment

The creation of the Creature is Victor's key action. Driven by the ambition to triumph over illness and demise, he constructs a creature from disparate bodily components. But when Victor sees how horrible the Creature looks, he recoils in terror and gives up on his creation. The rest of the story is shaped by the sequence of events that follow this rejection.

Determine the Character's Internal Conflicts and Conflicts with the Creature

Victor is dealing with both external and internal issues. He struggles with regret, guilt, and the fallout from playing god inside himself. He faces the enraged Creature outside, who wants to exact revenge on him for the misery and seclusion he endured. The story is driven by these conflicts, which also highlight Victor's moral quandaries.

Evaluate the Character's Development or Transformation: A Tragic Fall and Self-Death

Rather than evolving, Victor's character experiences a sad decline. His unbridled ambition degrades his morality, and his refusal to accept accountability for the Creature's welfare sets him on a path toward self-destruction. Victor finally meets a disastrous end as a result of his failure to own up to his faults and his relentless quest for knowledge.

Use Quotations and Descriptions to Provide Evidence to Support Your Analysis

"Learn from me, if not by my precepts, at least by my example, how dangerous is the acquirement 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." - Victor cautioning Walton about the perils of unbridled ambition.

"I'd been putting in a lot of effort for almost two years to give an inanimate body life. I had denied myself sleep and health because of this."- Victor's commitment to his experiment, highlighting the toll it has on his physical health.

"Aha! The agony of that face was beyond the comprehension of any mortal. A mummy imbued with life once more could not be as repulsive as that wretch. - Victor's first response upon seeing the creature he had brought to life, hinting at the terrible outcomes of his deeds.

Make Inferences about the Significance of the Character: Tragic Hubris Symbol and the Consequences of Playing God

Victor Frankenstein is a cautionary tale about the perils of unbridled ambition and the fallout from deity-play. His persona draws attention to the moral obligations that accompany technological advancement and its ethical ramifications. Victor's sad voyage highlights Shelley's investigation of human limitations and the possible consequences of going beyond what nature intended. Victor Frankenstein serves as a hubristic figure in "Frankenstein," highlighting the damaging effects of unbridled ambition on people and society as a whole.