Introduction
In the spring of 1818, the novel Frankenstein, which has the rare fortune of being the discoverer, the benchmark, and the starting point of a new literary genre, was published. In her novel, Mary Shelley competently combines chilling horror storytelling with social commentary to explore the human nature that unfolds within the story. There are no villains in the book, only martyrs, for the evil scientist who creates the monster is merely a man living for science.
Furthermore, the monster who kills people simply wants to comprehend the truth and not be alone. Each character has a deep torment of conscience, and the reason for this is the courageous decision to bring the man to life, the subtext of which has deep psychological roots. Victor Frankenstein is a man who lives by science and is driven by ambition. Certainly, the thirst for knowledge is one of the prerequisites for creating a new life; however, spiritual loneliness and the thirst for recognition are the aspects that drive Victor to a dangerous experiment.
Scientific Pursuit and the Absence of Social Connection
Victor Frankenstein is, at first sight, an ordinary citizen of Geneva with an innate passion for science, who, while developing this affection, has forgotten about socialization, the lack of which is the cause of unnatural experiments. Even at a young age, the boy had a passion for learning about the earth and the physical secrets of the world (Shelley 3). His interest has been focused on this world’s metaphysical mysteries, which clearly demonstrates the priority of knowledge over communication. Even though the university is a source to quench the thirst for knowledge and communication, every reader can note merely the young man’s passion for science.
At the same time, in the book, there are almost no moments of Victor’s interaction with society, as there is no mention of the young scientist’s perception of society. Instead of socializing, the boy is fond of studying dead bodies, and as his knowledge has grown, his ambitions increase (Collings 183). Thus, Victor’s motive for an experiment is simple and uncomplicated — his scientific passion and desire for ubiquitous praise.
Loneliness, Power, and the Tragic Consequences of Isolation
Nevertheless, this desire for worldwide recognition is caused by the loneliness that Victor Frankenstein notes from his childhood. Everyone knows that gaining fame, respect, and acquaintances gives a person a certain power and even strength, which can influence others in one way or another. From the psychoanalytic perspective, the passion to dominate others is the primary driving force behind human behavior and activity (Collings 183). In this way, the subject tries to compensate for his feelings of inferiority, which are expressed in various factors, from diverse bodily defects to family circumstances and personal concerns. However, Victor Frankenstein’s desire for power is influenced by his spiritual loneliness.
It is notable how the protagonist recalls his adolescent years: “My life was solitary and pervasive in the domestic circle; it instilled an unconquerable aversion to new faces” (Shelley 22). This reflection on his childhood indicates that despite the presence of his family, Victor has no friends, which consequently affects his deepening in himself and replaces his positive communication with experiments on dead creatures.
Moreover, even as an adult, Victor feels uncomfortable in society. The desire to find someone close in spirit is the deciding factor in favor of raising the dead. For example, as an adult, the scholar writes, “I have no friend, Margaret, I bitterly feel the want of a friend; I desire the company of a man who could sympathize with me…but I have no one near me (Shelley 7).
Thus, one can notice that from childhood, Frankenstein experienced a lack of relationships filled with spiritual understanding. It can be a genuine problem for a person and a sufficient impetus for his desire for dominance to manifest itself. Victor feels omnipotent and superhuman because he is creating his own kind. Another confirmation of Nietzsche’s theory concepts is that the scientist abandons morality to achieve his goal. Victor Frankenstein is obsessed with his passion; he only considers his condition, submitting to his instincts (Collings 183). Thus, the absence of a human being by his side raises Victor’s desire for societal recognition, overshadowing his ability to reason.
Conclusion
Therefore, the book, written half a century before psychoanalysis emerged, is prophetic: it shows that everything man has created is part of himself, and in any case, one must be able to come to terms with this side. Victor Frankenstein is a man who, despite a happy childhood and a sharp mind, lacks only one thing: the skill to interact with society. The lack of connection to the outside is undoubtedly exacerbated internally, which is the reason for Victor’s renewed desire for worldwide recognition.
Loneliness and the wish to emerge from the shadows cause a terrible experiment, the result of which reflects the creator’s identity. The monster perfectly illustrates that even if a man can learn the science of reproducing other organic beings, it does not teach him to simultaneously comprehend the trivial and high human feelings of happiness and love. One cannot be happy when one is alone, and both Victor’s example and that of his creation, Frankenstein, demonstrate this.
Works Cited
Collings, David. “The Monster and the Maternal Thing: Mary Shelley’s Critique of Ideology.” Semantic Scholars, 2000, pp. 280-295.
Shelley, Mary. Frankenstein. Broadview Press, 2012.