The Desire For Power In Mary Shelley's Frankenstein

Victor Frankenstein, the main character of Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein has allowed his desire for power to determine his actions. Frankenstein became obsessed with the ability to create life, believing that if he can possess the knowledge to successfully do so, he will be challenging the ideals of faith and science. Frankenstein’s desire to have power over others has caused him to create a monster and bring danger into the world. Although Frankenstein’s definition of true power stems from the understanding of science and life, his journey to possess this knowledge inevitably led to his ultimate demise. Victor Frankenstein’s desire for power is fueled by his lack of concern for legal issues, his troubled past that led to the creation of the monster, and the inability to overcome his hubris. Victor Frankenstein began his journey for power while attending a university in Ingolstadt, where he …show more content…
After learning that his entire family has been murdered by the creature, Frankenstein leaves Geneva and begins to attempt to track his creation. Frankenstein follows clues left by the creature and his pursuit proves he cannot move on to a normal life, for his own has been eternally branded by the creation and desired destruction of the creature. Frankenstein is determined to find and kill the monster he brought into the world, if he created it, he must end it. This introspective truth of Victor Frankenstein reveals his unconquerable ego and the actions that result because of it. Frankenstein’s actions have modeled the effects of power and the consequences of it, in particularly creating life. Although Frankenstein’s desire for power brought him to the creation of a monster, his reasonings parallel with common themes for the rise of power. Victor Frankenstein’s desire for power is based on his lack of concern for legal issues, his troubled past, and the inability to overcome his