Victor Frankenstein's Obsession With The Sciences

Victor Frankenstein has a deep obsession with the sciences-- referred to as "natural philosophy" in text.. After going to Waldman's lecture, Victor is put on the course of natural philosophy. He says, speaking about events post-Waldman's lecture, that "From this day natural philosophy, and particularly chemistry, in the most comprehensive sense of the term, became nearly my sole occupation." Occupation, in this line, is read as 'how one spends their time.' Essentially, Victor spends all his time upon natural philosophy to find truth (as most scientists do). Perhaps, though, one could argue that: "This is not obsession. Frankenstein just has a great love for the sciences. That is how he wishes to spend the majority of his time." While this could be the case, especially at first, before his studies begin, I suspect that Victor is suffering from monomania. This can be seen in the line "...I appeared rather like one doomed by slavery to toil in the mines, or any other unwholesome trade than an artist occupied by his favourite employment."

In Victor's own words, he grew to neglect himself; he was in love so much that he forgot that he is a vessel which needs nourishment besides science.

When it comes to Victor not respecting nature, I think it is clear when Frankenstein, trying to explain how much he neglected outside his studies, narrates: " Winter, spring, and summer passed away during my labours; but I did not watch the blossom or the expanding leaves..." Victor, then, cares more about knowledge than giving respect to the world which gives him the ability to acquire knowledge.

He cares more about truth, in itself, than he does about the world around him (e.g. the leaves changing colors, the brittle wind, et cetera). But I think the biggest evidence lies in the creation of Frankenstein's monster: "His limbs were in proportion, and I had selected his features as beautiful." Victor, here, is playing God. He decided what was beautiful; he decided what was proportional: he created life! This implies that life in novel; it is not a sacred thing. I think this shows, then, that Victor does not respect nature (in a

sense).

As far as my thoughts on Victor go, I actually relate to him a lot. I love truth, I love science, and I love philosophy. In fact, I am studying philosophy and physics. So, really, it is interesting that Shelly paints truth obsessed scientists as mad, and not respecting of nature. I take a different stance: Victor respects nature greatly, and that is why he tries to understand it; he wants to hold truth in the palm of his hand. This is why Frankenstein wants to create life! If he did not respect the world, Victor would be apathetic towards the search for truth; there would be no need to search if one does not care about the subject of searching!