Frankenstein Man Vs Self Theme Essay

Frankenstein by Mary Shelly is a horror classic, but the most horrific thing about the novel is how relatable it is. Virtually everyone can relate to the Monster’s loneliness and Victor’s lack of self confidence in some way or another, and it’s terrifying that a revenge obsessed, murderous monster and a psychotic scientist are even remotely relatable. The novel had many themes, but the two that stood out the most where man vs society and man vs self. The theme of man vs society was explored when the narration shifted over to the Monster’s point of view. The monster had been verbally and physically abused by various villagers. The whole part of the story that was in the Monster’s point of view was very depressing to read, but I enjoyed this part of the novel the most. The theme of man vs self is apparent throughout the novel and is
Throughout the greater part of the novel Victor is plagued by depression thus expressing the man vs self theme. The only issue I had with the novel was Robert Walton’s initial three letters. Walton’s letters were initially extremely dull and boring, although they took a more interesting turn once Victor appeared. Personally I don’t think that these letters added much to the story. In the second half of the novel we witness Victor become more and more troubled. After destroying what was created of the Monster’s mate, the Monster tells Victor that he will be with him on his wedding night, this sends Victor into a fit of paranoia and depression. Victor often states that his fate has been sealed and that he is ready for death. We can see Victor’s paranoia take hold when he speaks of the various weapons he keeps on hand and when he is pacing the perimeter of his hotel on his wedding night, looking for the Monster. Victor eventually dies on Robert Walton’s due to fatigue and illness. In the first half of the novel Victor’s character was my favorite, I could relate to his sorrows and I thought he was just a troubled man who would