In Frankenstein, Victor Frankenstein is a scientific genius. He masters the natural science of biology, anatomy, galvanism, alchemy, electromagnetism, and natural philosophy. He does what his professors only dreamed of.
But, like many geniuses, he is a rogue; he has no community. His genius is the kind that is dangerous, rebellious, reckless, without standards, or scientific ethics. Victor suffers from hubris, extreme self-pride. He isolates himself from loved ones: friends, family, women, and colleagues.
He is a kind of satanic hero:
•“The Will become Satanic pride and rebellious self-idolatry” •“to find in itself alone one absolute motive of action…” •“outward Restlessness and whirling Activity; Violence with guile; Temerity and Cunning… Interminableness of Object with perfect Indifference of Means.” •“COMMANDING GENIUS!” • like Napoleon – “palliative admiration” •“Evil, be thou my good!”
He is a kind of Byronic hero:
•unusually handsome, or inextricably attractive, often to both sexes •wounded or physically, disabled in some way •moody, mysterious, and/or gloomy •passionate (both in terms of sexuality and deep emotions generally) •remorse laden (for some unnamed sin, a hidden curse, or crime) •unrepentant (despite remorse) •persecuted by fate •self-reliant (often rejecting people on both physical and emotional levels) •is an admirable rebel (against convention, society, religious doctrine) •has a distaste for society and social institutions •is isolated (both physically and emotionally) from society (a wanderer, an exile) •is not impressed by rank and privilege (though he may possess it) •is larger-than-life in his ability--and his pride •suffers gloriously from titanic passions •tends to be self-destructive
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