The Role Of Narcissism In Mary Shelley's Frankenstein

Self-love is healthy; self-devotion, on the other hand, is not. Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein, told primarily from the point of view of Victor Frankenstein, a young scientist who discovers the secret of life, illustrates this idea. Following his discovery and fueled by his desire for fame and glory, Victor decides to put his newfound knowledge to the test by creating a living being from dead flesh. However, when the Creation does actually come alive, Victor abandons him immediately. This is a catalyst for the misery that befalls him and his loved ones later in the book and (combined with Victor’s unshakable sense of pride and decided lack of empathy) is what leads to the deaths of the Creation, Justine, and Elizabeth, among many others. All …show more content…
First and foremost, Victor’s narcissism destroys any semblance of happiness that the Creation could have possessed, and it eventually gets to the point where the Creation vows to commit suicide. This is understandable seeing as the Creation, on his first night of existence, is left to fend for himself, homeless and companionless, with no knowledge of the world he has so suddenly been thrust into. For example, the Creation, when retelling the events subsequent to his introduction to the world, states, “It was dark when I awoke; I felt cold also, and half frightened, as it were, finding myself so desolate… I was a poor, helpless, miserable wretch; I knew, and could distinguish nothing; but feeling pain invade me on all sides, I sat down and wept” (99-100). This quote demonstrates how intensely unhappy and disoriented the Creation feels after Victor casts him out. Victor – who is essentially the Creation’s mother, father, and God – cares only for the Creation when it furthers his own agenda. As soon as Victor realizes that the public would never accept the Creation as proof of his