Physcological and Moral Development in Frankenstein By: Aneesh Kumar, Nicholas Nguyen, Karina Lopez, Granite Tait, and Michael Aoki

Original prompt “A bildungsroman, or coming-of-age novel, recounts the psychological or moral development of its protagonist from youth to maturity, when this character recognizes his or her place in the world. Select a single pivotal moment in the psychological or moral development of protagonist of a bildungsroman. Then write a well-organized essay that analyzes how that single moment shapes the meaning of the work as a whole” Moral development: gradual maturation of the principles of right and wrong behavior

How does it relate to the novel? Throughout out the novel, both Victor and the creature experienced moral development allowing this prompt to be answered in multiple ways. The creature’s experience living near the cottagers shaped his own persona of who he was and his place in the world; a deformed lonely soul. This turned the creature from a sincere and genuine creature to a horrid monster. After the death of his many loved friends and most importantly Elizabeth, Victor realizes that he had created a monster by delving too far into the world of science. From the past joyful Victor the the maniac scientist he turned into, he finally assumes responsibility for the creature by deciding to dedicate the rest of his life to killing the creature.

“Of what a strange nature is knowledge “Of what a strange nature is knowledge! It clings to the mind when it has once seized on it like a lichen on the rock” (85, Shelley). Unfortunately for the creature, he is an ugly, unwanted and mistaken creature created by Victor. Victor’s attempt to find the secret to eternal life backfired which left the creature angry. The creature also realizes that knowledge can be harmful and can not be dispossessed just like how once a lichen clings onto a rock, it stays there. This shows the creature’s development from a sincere being to a horrifying killer.

“Begone! I do break my promise; never will I create another like yourself, equal in deformity and wickedness” (122, Shelley). The creature asked Victor to create a female monster so that he could have a companion and someone to be with. At first, Victor agreed but later changed his mind because he realizes the destruction that two monsters could create. His guilty conscience would not allow him to create another monster, and shows that he has come to realization of what he has become himself over the years, and what a terrible monster he created.

“So much has been done, exclaimed the soul of Frankenstein—more, far more, will I achieve; treading in the steps already marked, I will pioneer a new way, explore unknown powers, and unfold to the world the deepest mysteries of creation” (28, Shelley). Victor had a passion for science when he was growing up. Once he got older, he attended Ingolstad and mastered everything that his professors taught him. However, Victor wanted to know the secret to eternal life which drove him to learn even more while being oblivious to the consequences that came with the power of knowledge. The overload of knowledge on life and death turned Victor from a young boy wanting to learn, to a obsessed scientist, unaware of the power of creation he possessed.

6 step thesis The protagonist develops. The complex protagonist periodically develops. In the novel Frankenstein, the complex protagonist periodically develops throughout the story. In the novel Frankenstein, the complex protagonist, Victor Frankenstein, periodically develops throughout the story. In the novel Frankenstein, the complex protagonist, Victor Frankenstein, periodically develops throughout the story because of Victor’s deathly obsession over the specifics of science, life, and death. In the novel Frankenstein, the complex protagonist, Victor Frankenstein, periodically develops throughout the story because of Victor’s deathly obsession over the specifics of science, life, and death, learning that science is not always a positive answer to human problems, obsessions cause a neurological breakdowns and death, and that the knowledge for “the elixer of life” was never one that wanted to be found by Victor Frankenstein as his fear drove the creature to evil.

Significant Moment #1 The creature matures in a mental way as he discovers more about himself and his environment. He slowly becomes an evil being. He wonders why in chapter 13 “a blot upon the earth, from which all men fled, and whom all men disowned?” The creature is being persecuted by society and this shows the creature’s story from his perspective and how he became how he is now. When the creature learns about his place in the world. He learns how others view him and his differences from humans. He starts questioning his future and what he wants for his life. The creature matures in a mental way as he discovers more about himself and his environment. He feels the harsh reality of being a social outcast just because of his looks. He wonders why in chapter 13 “a blot upon the earth, from which all men fled, and whom all men disowned?” And starts to feel like a monster when he asks “Was I then a monster?” As the creature stars to question who he is, his own personal identity, why he’s here, and what’s his purpose. As he searches for these answers he grows and matures mentally. He really starts to answer these as he starts to become a member of this village as he learns the language, helps with firewood, and learns about the other villagers. His growth in this moment shows how the creature matures.

Significant Moment #2 Victor finally grows up when he decides to face the monster. He realizes what he has done and created, and what his studies has truly done. He prepares for the monster when the monster says in chapter 20 "It is well. I go; but remember, I shall be with you on your wedding- night.” He prepares for the creature, but doesn’t realize that he is out for Elizabeth. The death of her truly makes Victor realize his mistakes. Another significant moment is when victor finally grows to the realization that the only person that he really cares about that is still alive is Elizabeth and get frightened and finally grows up enough to fight the monster and face his creation instead of running from it. When he realizes that the monster will be at his wedding night when the creature says in chapter 20 "It is well. I go; but remember, I shall be with you on your wedding-night." Victor gets a gun and prepares for the show down between him and the creature. This action shows how victor grows though the novel and finally takes a final stand against his creation.

Foreshadowing “My departure was therefore fixed at an early date; but before the day resolved upon could arrive, the first misfortune of my life occurred – an omen, as it were, of my future misery” (Shelley, 23). Throughout Frankenstein foreshadowing is seen with the use of “omen” and “fate. In this quote Victor’s mother is about to die, and it is from her death Victor starts to obsess over the secret of life. He wants to figure it out, and from this obsession the creature is created.

Point Of View “ It was, in fact, a sledge, like that we had seen before, which had drifted towards us in the night on a large fragment of ice. Only one dog remained alive; but there was a human being within it” (Shelley, 9). “I am by birth a Genevese, and my family is the one of the most distinguished of the republic”(Shelley, 14). “It was dark when I awoke; I felt cold also and half frightened, as it were instinctively, finding my self so desolate”(Shelley, 71). Frankenstein has three point of views Walton’s, Victor’s , and the creature’s. By having these point of views we are able to see that there is more than one side of a story.

Setting “One day, when I was oppressed by cold, I found a fire which had been left by some wondering beggars, and I was overcome with delight of the warmth I experienced from it. In my joy I thrust my hand into the live embers, but quickly drew it out again with a cry of pain… I examined the materials of the fire, and to my joy found it to be composed of wood” (Shelley, 72). There are many settings in Frankenstein, each one present has to do with the major themes expressed in the novel. For example, in this quote when the creature learns that fire hurts when you touch it, and that adding wood keeps the fire longer shows the theme that we learn from nature.

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Works cited http://wanelo.com/p/2805547/original-digital-print-gangsta-frankenstein-black- green-yellow-orange-gray-horror-blood-goth-art-poster Clip art http://www.funny-games.biz/pictures/88-frankenstein-bush-picture.html http://www.facefusionapp.com/ http://unrealitymag.com/index.php/2010/09/20/gene-wilders-seven-best- movie-roles/ http://rustbeltvoice.blogspot.com/2013_08_01_archive.html