Pursuit Of Knowledge And Loneliness In Mary Shelley's Frankenstein

Throughout the novel, Frankenstein by Mary Shelley, Victor was consumed with a complicated mix of various emotions and goals. At first, he wanted more knowledge but knowledge brought nothing more than a strong sense of loneliness. As time went on, he began to regret his decisions because it was more than he could handle. His various experiences became a large factor in shaping the development of a plot. The theme of pursuit of knowledge, loneliness, and guilt and regret are developed in the character Victor Frankenstein.

Victor expresses the theme of pursuit of knowledge during his experiments to reanimate life. He first starts his journey by attending the University of Ingolstadt in Germany where he first becomes encouraged to experiment. “When I had attained the age of seventeen, my parents resolved that I should become a student at the University of Ingolstadt” (Ch.3). Through the studies at the University and his professors Victor was able to learn about the newest scientific advancements. After the lost of his mother Victor wished to find the

During the two year process of creating the Creature Victor was completely isolated from the world.“Winter, spring, and summer passed away during my labors; but I did not watch the blossom or the expanding leaves” (Ch.4). He had locked himself in the laboratory determined to finish his experiment. After a certain point, he neglected to contact his family. No one was able to contact Victor for years. Although isolated from the rest of the world Victor did not feel the loneliness. The only thing occupying his mind was to reanimate life. In addition, Victor experiences loneliness after the Creature successfully carries out his revenge. “The deep grief which this scene had at first excited quickly gave way to rage and despair. They were dead, and I lived” (ch.24). He was left all alone in the world after the death of his father,