Frankenstein: Victor Frankenstein Character Analysis (AQA GCSE English Literature) : Revision Note
Victor Frankenstein is a highly ambitious, intelligent and obsessive scientist whose pursuit of scientific discovery drives him to defy natural and divine laws, ultimately leading to his downfall.
Victor Frankenstein character summary
Why is Victor Frankenstein important?
Victor Frankenstein is depicted as:
Intelligent: Victor has an exceptional intellect and a deep fascination with the natural sciences. Victor admits that when he was 13 he found “a volume of the works of Cornelius Agrippa” and he became fascinated with “Natural philosophy” which “regulated my fate”. This explains how his quest for knowledge is awakened.
Ambitious: Victor’s relentless ambition and his obsession with scientific discovery cause him to neglect his loved ones. After bringing his creature to life, he abandons it and then destroys the creature’s intended companion. The loss of Frankenstein’s “adored companion” makes him comprehend what he has done and motivates his decision to destroy the creature.
Fearful: Victor becomes increasingly afraid of seeing his creation. For instance, he fears that it will pursue him in the streets when going to meet Clerval, stating that “my heart palpitated in the sickness of fear”; he is fearful of Clerval seeing the creature also. His apprehension of what the creature will do increases as he fears for the safety of his family. Following the deaths of William, Clerval and Elizabeth, Victor seeks vengeance and becomes intent on destroying the creature.
Obsessive: Victor becomes obsessed with his creation of life and isolates himself. He chooses to bring suffering upon himself when he isolates himself and therefore is a doomed protagonist. His creation repulses him and when he abandons the creature he cannot prevent the suffering and death that follows.
Victor Frankenstein key quotes
Victor Frankenstein character development
Chapter 2 | Chapter 5 | Chapter 20 | Chapter 24 |
Victor’s obsession: Victor conveys his early fascination with natural philosophy which sets the foundation for his later obsession. His thirst to delve into the mystery of creation foreshadows the dangerous lengths he will go to. | Victor’s horror: Victor becomes repulsed by his creation and describes its “shrivelled complexion”, “black lips” and “yellow skin”. His dream of creation turns into a nightmare which demonstrates Victor’s reckless nature. | Victor destroys the creature’s companion: After agreeing to create a female companion for the creature, Victor destroys his experiment as he fears the consequences. Incensed, the creature desires vengeance. This reveals Victor’s inability to control the consequences of his actions. | Victor’s death: Determined to destroy his creation, Victor embarks on a chase across the Atlantic. As he nears death, he warns Walton: “Seek happiness in tranquility and avoid ambition”. |
Victor Frankenstein character interpretation
Playing God
Christian beliefs heavily influenced early 19th-century England and Victor’s creation of life would have been seen as blasphemous, as Victor’s role as a creator parallels God’s creation of Adam. Victor embodies the myth of Prometheus and the dangers of overreaching ambition. In Greek mythology, Prometheus stole fire from the gods but by defying divine authority, he was condemned to eternal torment. This myth is referenced in the full title of the novel: Frankenstein, or the Modern Prometheus. Like Prometheus, Victor’s defiance of natural and divine laws leads to his destruction.
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