Psychoanalytical Reading Of Frankenstein Essay

Sigmund Freud’s psychological theories and complexes can be used to apply a psychoanalytical reading practice to Shelley’s prose, Frankenstein. A psychoanalytical reading is used to evaluate and explain characters of a text, their motives and behaviour; hence this particular reading practice prioritises characterisation as it focuses on the evaluation of characters alone. Victor sets out on a journey of scientific knowledge and discovery with the intention to benefit mankind however, on his way gets lost in his exploration and discovery and becomes characterised as an over-reaching hero. Through the psychoanalysis of Victory Frankenstein’s character, a reader is able to conclude that he is a narcissist. After he had created the creature, Victor praised himself
Victor realised that his desire was too great and that selfishness lead to the destruction of his whole life as the creature went on and killed all his loved ones. Victor reached a very low, depressing point in his life as the creature continued to ruin him and he concluded that it was all due to his selfish thirst. Through the psychoanalysis of Victor readers are able to follow his narcissistic characteristics and the destruction his egotistic personality brings. Readers interpret Victor as a selfish, evil character which inflicts self-thought within the reader to analyse their own personality. Victor’s characterisation communicates that having a great id is destructive to not only ones self but others. Characterisation is an element prioritise by the application of a psychoanalytical reading as that reading practice particularly focuses on characters and their intentions. By psychoanalysing Victor Frankenstein a reader interprets him as a selfish despiteful character whose own ego leads him to a downfall. These prompts readers to analyse themselves and are therefore encouraged to become more aware of their superego trait. Readers are able to interpret the text as a warning to selfishness and its