Theme Of Failure In Frankenstein

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Imagine spending months or even years perfecting a drawing. You gathered the most exquisite paints, brushes, and paper only to find out that the final product has wonky lines, irregular patterns, and is just completely not what you expected. Frankenstein could be feeling the same. For him, the monster could then symbolize shame or guilt because he vilely shut out his entire family for years, for something that is the complete opposite of what he envisioned. Thus, Frankenstein has to avoid it since it reminds him of the defeat and failure. Failure is an egotistical man’s biggest fear.
Frankenstein’s attachment to his loved ones acts as a parallel to his physical health; both are on a decline. As Frankenstein begins to isolates himself from his family and eventually lives in complete seclusion, he falls gravely ill. However, when he meets his good friend Henry again, he is suddenly nursed back to health. …show more content…

As Victor, the modern Prometheus, is essentially creating life, this action can be likened to murder, or even abortion to apply to this parenthood or lack thereof motif. When the monster pleads Frankenstein to make him a wife, he says: “the love of another will destroy the cause of my crimes [...] and my virtues will necessarily arise when I live in communion with an equal...” (pg.150). Frankenstein sees his potential bride simply as an equal who he shall love regardless of how she looks. In fact, he asks Frankenstein to make her just as hideous, “with the same defects” (pg.146) as he. This shows that the monster does not correlate true love with physical beauty, rather, internal beauty instead. He even goes on to describe that the power of her love alone will dissolve any feelings of ingratitude or hatred he had for humanity. All in all, the monster sees his wife as a wholesome companion, not a piece of

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