Character Analysis From Shelley\'s Frankenstein

Frankenstein

Dr. Frankenstein is the "modern Prometheus" Mary Shelley refers to in the title of her novel Frankenstein. Prometheus stole fire from the gods to bestow its gift upon mankind, in direct affront to natural and spiritual law. As a modern Prometheus, Dr. Frankenstein harnesses the power to create life. Mary Shelley uses diction and rich description to convey the central idea that Dr. Frankenstein acts immorally with grave consequences for himself and humanity.

One of the cornerstones of Dr. Frankenstein's moral character is the fact that he is conscious of what he is doing, and therefore must be held accountable for his actions. The young Frankenstein describes himself in laudatory terms. He says that he had a "sometimes violent temper" but that he was able to channel his passions into a "desire to learn." This "violent temper" is something that Shelley inserts on purpose as foreshadowing for the reader. Choosing this phrase allows Shelley to build suspense, as the reader knows that Dr. Frankenstein does have a dark side to his nature. Hiding behind his intellect is no excuse for immoral behavior. The young Frankenstein's intellectual curiosity is admirable, though, and the reader almost sympathizes with him in the beginning. He states, "My inquiries were directed to the metaphysical, or in its highest sense, the physical secrets of the world." By phrasing his terms in first person, using first person point-of-view, Shelley is successful in engaging the reader to have some empathy for the soon-to-be mad scientist. In his early writings, the lofty mental endeavors of the young man seem innocent.

Shelley uses diction to suggest that Dr. Frankenstein does not have the moral capacity to admit his error, and thus he becomes a sociopathic character. For example, in his writings he states that his reflections on his actions have led to a "gloomy and narrow reflections upon self." It is important to note here that the "reflections on self" show how the doctor is narcissistic. He cares more about how his actions impact himself, than about how his actions impact other people. Likewise, Shelley shows how Dr. Frankenstein does not take personal responsibility for his actions. He blames "fate," not himself. "Destiny was too potent, and her immutable laws had decreed my utter and terrible destruction," he states at the end of Chapter 2.