Which of the Conflicts in Frankenstein Drives the Story Forward?
The fight between the heart and the mind serves as the foundation for Mary Shelley’s novel’s plot. Victor Frankenstein must make a decision between having a family and achieving fame and notoriety. He desires all of them, but it is not possible. He must therefore make a decision.
The protagonist of the narrative, Victor Frankenstein, is divided between the desire for a family and a quiet existence and the desire to be acknowledged as a genius. His heart yearns for love and serenity, and that is the inner conflict that propels the story onward. His focus, though, is on science. Victor had a family, a cherished lady, and a lavish home, yet he abandoned everything to pursue his dreams. Frankenstein is still too self centered due to his superior intellect to realize that he has lost all humanity and is harming others.
Victor goes too far in thinking of himself as a god and makes a monster as a result. Strangely, the conflict that drives Victor Frankenstein’s creation also motivates it. He struggles between wanting to be liked and wanting to exact revenge. The main character’s scientific discovery sets off a chain of terrible things happening. A monster kills him, his brother, and his bride. Respect should be shown for Frankenstein’s fervor and strength of will. Mary Shelley states unequivocally that anyone could experience disaster as a result of Victor’s hubris.
