Freudian Psychoanalysis of Victor's Dream in "Frankenstein"

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Crazy Dreams Perhaps the most interesting event in Mary Shelley's Frankenstein is the perverse dream that Victor Frankenstein experiences after he brings the creature to life. Examination of the dream through Freudian theories on sexual motivation and the Oedipal Complex provide insight to the actions and character of Mary Shelley's protagonist. Further examination also reveals the reason for Victor's actions and character and how each affects his relationship with those closest to him. Victor's retelling of the dream in Frankenstein states: I though I saw Elizabeth In the bloom of health, Walking in the streets of Ingolstadt. Delighted and surprised I embraced her, But as I imprinted the first kiss on her lips, They became livid with the hue of death; Her features appeared to change and I thought I held the dead corpse Of my dead mother in my arms; A shroud enveloped her form, And I saw grave worms crawling in the folds of flannel. In many of Freud's work on dreams, he often clarifies the fact that sexual motivation plays a major part. Part of his theory on sexually motivated dreams is the existence of genitalia and sexual intercourse heavily symbolized. One of the symbols for the phallus, or penis, is the snake. This symbol is clearly represented in the form of the grave worms that are mentioned in Victor's dream. Furthermore, the folds of flannel, which the grave worms crawl into represent the vagina. Together the whole occurrence of the "grave worms crawling in the folds of flannel" symbolizes sexual intercourse. Since these symbols exist in Victor's dream, it is accurate to state that sexual feelings are the cause for t... ... middle of paper ... ... conflict is very evident on Victor and Elizabeth's wedding night. Victor was warned by the creature many times that he would be present on the wedding night, yet and still Victor chooses to leave Elizabeth alone knowing the monster will kill her. On a conscious level, Victor displays his love outwardly by finishing the process of marriage and making Elizabeth his wife. On a sub-conscious level, Victor deals with his animosity towards Elizabeth privately by allowing the monster to kill Elizabeth. As a result, Victor is able to deal with his hatred for Elizabeth and his mother in an indirect manner. Criticizing Victor's dream through Freudian theories on sexual motivation and the Oedipus complex provided a fuller understanding of Victor and his character. Freud's theories have allowed us to discover aspects of the story that would have been left unfound.

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