How Mary Shelley's Frankenstein Depicts Victor As A Hero

Frankenstein

(A Discussion of How Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein Depicts Victor as a Hero)

With many works of classic literature throughout the ages defining the ideal or epic hero, it is clear that idealistic heroes are figures humanity has admired for many years. Both literal and fictional heroes are a goal or an idea to strive for. These heroes can be someone that a listener or reader strikes a connection with due to similar personality traits or upbringing. Due to the public desire for heroes in stories, writers create all sorts of different archetypes of heroes to fit every imaginable audience member and their desires for an ideal hero. However, Mary Shelley takes a rather unique approach to define a rather tragic, yet consistently unsuccessful

hero in her novel, Frankenstein. Due to Victor Frankenstein's desire to undo his mistakes, failure to do so, and lack of courage, he is a unique example of a cowardly tragic hero, rather than a sadistic villain.
While Victor Frankenstein consistently makes mistakes in Mary Shelley’s, Frankenstein, he still possesses the valiant urge to undo his heinous actions.

A very prideful man, Victor spent his time preparing to essentially play God and create life from death. Seeing the hideousness of his creation, Victor quickly flees the scene and abandons the creation. Allison Green goes to say, “Victor Frankenstein is fixated on the boundaries between life and death, and death and life,” (Green). Upon hearing the monster’s story, Frankenstein is immediately compelled to strike down the monster and undo his work. “Begone vile beast!” (85). Despite his actions, Victor’s heart is in the right place when he plans to destroy his hideous creation. Anna Clark states, “Victor is a singular character inwardly focused on his own flaws.” (Clark). Perhaps it is this inward focus that prevents him from taking decisive

action.
Despite his intentions, Mary Shelley’s,Victor Frankenstein is often found paralyzed with fear unable to make a decisive choice to stand up and protect those suffering at the hands of the monster. At all chances he has to make a definitive choice on his plans for the monster, his conscience is always swayed and in a state of flux. Victor is incapable of protecting those he loves due to his lack of conviction. Attempting to play both sides against the middle, Victor almost switches his allegiances between the monster and humanity several times. Arielle Bevington explains, “Dr. Frankenstein's life certainly has Greek Tragedy written all over it, especially his hubris in thinking that he could play God, (Bevington). Incapable of saving his maid from conviction, Victor fails to protect those closest to him. “Sitting quietly, I found myself without the voice to speak up for her,” (140). In addition to the death of the maid, both his maid and fiance suffer at the hands of Victors lack of action. Had he taken other courses of action, perhaps his loved ones would still be alive.
Giving her protagonist the unique aspect of lacking courage, Mary Shelley sets up a tragic hero doomed for failure.

Rather than give him the chance to overcome his fear and hesitation to save those he loves, Shelley gives him courage far too late for it to make a difference. Chris Nelson says, “Frankenstein is unable to kill his creation and dies after his life is destroyed completely,” (Nelson). If Victor were to pursue his goal of destroying the monster with the same vigor of his whining and contemplating, he would be a tragic hero. However, his lack of courage that leaves him essentially catatonic in crucial moments is what sets him up as a unique character. Jonathan Marks tells, “Much like the lion without courage, Frankenstein is a man without the courage to fix his errors,” (Marks). With a dash more courage, the novel based on the choices of Victor would take a very different

route.
In conclusion, the combination of Victor’s internal goals, lack of action, as well as lack of courage contribute to his diagnosis as a flawed tragic protagonist. Falling into the small niche of heroes that fail to accomplish their goal, Victor is truly unique. “His voice grew softer and sunk into silence” (194). While some see this figure as closer to a villain, I do see him as a very flawed human at his core. Frankenstein does not seek to bring these trials to the world, yet he is without the capabilities to undo the damage that he created. A work of genius, Mary Shelley has created a truly unique archetype of protagonist through her creation of Frankenstein.