Passion Vs. Responsibility In Mary Shelley's Frankenstein

A classic battle, presented in many works of literature, is the internal battle between ones passions and responsibilities. The question exists of which one is more beneficial to the goals, ideas, and development of the individual who is faced with the ultimatum of choosing passion over responsibility. Passion, and the pursuit of it, is what most individuals yearn for, however, responsibility is omnipresent and typically is more potent in importance. Nevertheless, what if someone chooses responsibility over passion? In the novel Frankenstein by Mary Shelley, Victor's aptitude to follow his passions over his responsibilities created trends of consequences, many fatal, which reflect an ideology that one must prioritize responsibilities over passion. Throughout the story of Frankenstein, Victor faces many situations, which, if choices exhibited responsible actions, would prevent a landslide of fatal consequences. Beginning with Victor's creation of the monster, his first actions are as followed: "“I took refuge in the court-yard belonging to the house …show more content…
The novel presents the idea that responsibility prioritizes over passion, however, their is a caveat that offers more detail on the concept. Also presented in the novel is the complete immersion into either responsibility or passion. Such an immersion is presented as evenly consequential to choosing passion over responsibility, and develops a thesis that an even ground exists between both passion and responsibility. In Frankenstein, Victor's aptitude towards choosing passion over responsibility develops into a series of fatal consequences that present the idea that passion should be prioritized over passion. In addition, however, a middle ground exists where ones passions and responsibilities can both be achieved and everyone should seek a medium where such a balance