Victor Frankenstein as a Flawed God Figure: An Analysis of Hubris and Human Limitation in Mary Shelley's Frankenstein
Overview
This essay analyzes Victor Frankenstein's character in Mary Shelley's novel, arguing that despite being accused of assuming God-like qualities through his creation of life, Victor is fundamentally a flawed human character lacking true divine power. The paper demonstrates through textual evidence that Victor's susceptibility to fear, grief, and despair reveals his humanity rather than godliness, ultimately refuting the notion that he embodies divine characteristics.
What this essay covers
- Introduction establishing Victor's complex role and the thesis that he defies nature yet lacks true godly traits
- Analysis contrasting God's positive influence with Victor's destructive defiance of natural law through specific textual examples
- Evidence of Victor's human flaws including fear after Clerval's death, blame-shifting, and cowardice following imprisonment
- Conclusion synthesizing arguments about Victor's limited powers and fundamental inability to possess godly characteristics
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Frankenstein by Mary Shelly
Frankenstein is a character that takes God's traits in Mary’s Novel. Typically, Frankenstein has a complex role which shows the overall demeanor of the main character. The character has been accused of taking the Godly characters, which to an extend betray nature. This particular character indulges in defying nature to create another life after death. Essentially, Frankenstein is just an illusion with misguided entities which influence the real nature in gloomy prospects. In the play, Victor plays the "God character," which tries to push him to fear nothing or bother about the society he is ruling.
Analysis
Naturally, God is always focused on transforming people and allowing them to have a better life. God creates a positive spirit in people, which generates hope for a better life in society. However, it is not the case with Victor Frankenstein since he defies all the Godly rules, p15-18. For example, he does not obey rules in society. Notably, every human being is prone to vulnerability, and the future is not defined. Every person has their role of finding their future and where they fit most in the society. Victor being a fictitious character in the play seems to defy this vital rule in nature. Victor is hit by several misfortunes that prove that the “Godly” character does not fit him. For example, after the death of her mom, Victor blames the monster on the issues.