The Alchemist Archetypes In Mary Shelley's Frankenstein

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Shelley uses the Alchemist and Mad Scientist character archetypes for Victor Frankenstein. The main goal of the Alchemist archetype is to transform or create matter into a different form. Victor Frankenstein wants to break through the “ideal bounds” of “life and death”(ch.4; 38). He means that he wants to discover a way to transform death into life, which is what alchemy is. Victor does this when he “[infuses] life into an inanimate body”(ch.5; 42). Victor actually creates life out of death, showing his practice of alchemy. One characteristic that an Alchemist archetype has is an extreme desire to seek knowledge. When describing himself, Victor says he is “smitten with the thirst for knowledge”(ch.2; 22). Victor’s longing for a strong education

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