Here the man understands his fate and realizes that he will have a difficult time trying to convince others not to follow in his path.
Not all is lost, however. Victor does influence someone in a positive way before he leaves this earth and that person is Robert Walton. While we only see him at the beginning and end of the novel, he is significant to the story because he, too, harbors a desire to know the unknown. Robert is also important because he is the only one through which Victor and his message can live. He tells Margaret that he cannot begin to describe the "sensations on the near prospect of my undertaking... I have often attributed my attachment to, my passionate enthusiasm for, the dangerous mysteries of the ocean to that production of the most imaginative or modern poets" (7). He admits to loving "a belief in the marvelous, intertwined with all my projects" (7). While he attempts to conquer the sea, we see how easy it is for him to become consumed with just one thing - what he wants. This comes at the expense of his crew and his own health. He wants success to crown his endeavors and asks, "What can stop the determined heart and resolved will of man?" (8). Robert is wise and listens to Victor even though he doubts his sanity. When the ice proves to be too much for him, he turns back and leaves the mystery of the unknown...
Undoubtedly, we are driven by our need to know and, for the most part, this is never a problem. However, there is a point where a thirst for knowledge becomes dangerous. Victor probably knew this but he was so consumed with his hunger to know that he did not care. He began to rationalize his strange behavior and even believed that it was acceptable to kill if it meant furthering his goal. Victor became a madman dressed in a scientist's clothing. In short, the desire for knowledge trumped any and everything else in his life. In the end, it took everything from him - including his life and all he had left was the sickening feeling of regret. He illustrates how dangerous we become when we allow our minds to become clouded with desire. Frankenstein unlocks the doors of truth when it comes to seeing humanity for what it is - frail and prone to errors.
Works Cited
Garrett, Martin. Mary Shelley. New York. Oxford University Press, 2002.
Hoobler, Dorothy and Thomas. The Monsters: Mary Shelley and the Curse of Frankenstein. New York: Little, Brown and Company, 2006.
Shelley, Mary. Frankenstein. New…
