Victor Frankenstein has the convenient tendency to become ill whenever he feels guilt and has a responsibility to do something. Immediately after creating the monster and realizing how terrifying it is, Frankenstein flees, proving that he is loath to take any type of responsibility for what he had done.

What does illness represent in Frankenstein?

When Frankenstein creates his monster, he becomes ill, which connects in a theological manner as he has taken the role of 'God' into his own hands. He also becomes physically ill when the creature kills people close to him, which may be a psychosomatic response for his guilt.

What is Victor's disorder in Frankenstein?

In Frankenstein, Victor's dual diagnosis of monomania and antisocial personality disorder bridges the historical gap between early eighteenth century and modern society's perception of insanity, while the attribution of these two diagnoses can enable the audience to sympathize with Victor.

What is Victor's illness in Frankenstein Chapter 5?

Victor enters first and is relieved to find no sign of the monster. But, weakened by months of work and shock at the horrific being he has created, he immediately falls ill with a nervous fever that lasts several months.

What is the symbolism of Victor Frankenstein?

Victor's fate—to pursue the monster across the frozen north—represents how his dangerous experiments have led to his complete alienation from society. Victor's pursuit of knowledge has taken him outside the boundaries of the scientific community, cost him his family, and murdered his wife.

What does the death of Victor's mother symbolize?

What is Victor Frankenstein's tragic flaw?

Victor seeks to use science for the greatest human good: to conquer death, but his tragic downfall is brought about by his all too human flaws, or hamartia. He's ambitious and proud, tampering with forces beyond his control, presuming to violate the laws of nature and the authority of God.

What does the death of Frankenstein symbolize?

Death is embodied not only in the creature, composed of dead human and animal body parts, scientifically brought to life, but especially in the many deaths this creature brings about – from Frankenstein's child brother William (and indirectly, Justine, who the monster frames for the crime), to Frankenstein's closest ...

What happens to Victor's health?

In shock, Victor falls into convulsions and suffers a long illness. Victor remains ill for two months. Upon his recovery, he finds himself still in prison.

Why does Victor become ill in Chapter 5?

In Chapter 5 of Frankenstein, the creature comes to life. Victor is horrified and flees into the night, falls into a fever, and has to be nursed back to health by Henry Clerval.

What were Victor's dying words?

Frankenstein's final words are: “Farewell, Walton! Seek happiness in tranquillity, and avoid ambition, even if it be only the apparently innocent one of distinguishing yourself in science and discoveries.

Why is Victor suffering from depression?

Victor is overwhelmed with despair due to the horrific outcome of his actions, which he had once considered to be so high-minded. To avoid further memories, the Frankensteins flee to their holiday home at Belrive. Yet Victor's suicidal impulses remain and he is driven to seek vengeance on the creature.

Is Frankenstein about mental illness?

The thought-provoking, dark classic novel Frankenstein tells the tale of its narrator and main character's unfortunate downward spiral into the depths of insanity.

What did Victor begin to suffer from?

Henry arrives from Geneva. Victor is worried that the monster is still in his house and Henry will see. What then affected Victor for several months? A nervous fever/breakdown.

What causes Victor's health to fail?

Victor Frankenstein's obsession with creating life consumes him to the point of neglecting his health and well-being, and ultimately leads to his downfall. The physical and mental symptoms he experiences are a manifestation of his fear and anxiety at the monstrous creation he has brought to life.

What can illness represent?

Illness is first discussed as a symbol of social beliefs, attitudes, norms, values, and other social phenomena conceptualized in relation to them. This symbolization is analyzed as it relates to various dimensions of illness that lend themselves to figurative thinking.

Who brings Victor out of his sickness?

Henry takes care of Victor when he is ill, he is his only nurse during this time.

Why is Victor suffering from depression in Chapter 9?

Victor feels extreme guilt for his part in the murder of William and the execution of Justine. He believes that both of these deaths are his fault. He is unable to sleep, he is restless, and he is tortured by guilt. Victor's father notices Victor is unwell and believes it is due to the loss of William and Justine.

What chapter did Victor get sick?

Analysis of Chapter 21 of Frankenstein

Victor did not kill Henry Clerval, and yet he feels overwhelming guilt because he created the monster who did kill him. When he realizes that Clerval has been killed, he goes into a deep physical illness as if his body cannot take the weight of his psychological trauma.

Does Victor neglect the monster?

While Victor initially created the creature to resolve the neglect he received as a child, his over-ambitiousness ultimately prevents him from empathizing with his creation, so he subsequently abandons it.

How did Victor change after his illness?

After his illness, he grew very worried of what the creature is capable of doing. He returned home and learned that his youngest brother William was strangled. Victor immediately knew that his creation was responsible for his brother's murder. Justine is accused of William's murder and is sentenced to death.

Does Victor have a mental illness?

Victor's hallucinations are so powerful that he can even feel the monster attacking him. The fact that Victor suffers from hallucinations and is socially withdrawn point to him having paranoid schizophrenia. There is one more symptom that is common among schizophrenics, and that is delusions.

How is Victor affected at the end of chapter 5?

Victor finds relief from his isolation when he reads Elizabeth's news of his family, studies languages with Clerval, and tours the outdoors with his friend. The resulting improvement in Victor's morale supports the idea that human contact is vital for health and happiness.

What were Frankenstein's last words?

I have myself been blasted in these hopes, yet another may succeed. These are Frankenstein's last words. Throughout his conversations with Walton, he has warned Walton about the dangers of ambition, but at the last moment he takes his warning back.

What were Victor's last words in Frankenstein?

With his final words, Frankenstein even takes back his earlier warning about the dangers of too much ambition: “Yet why do I say this? I have myself been blasted in these hopes, yet another may succeed.” Rather than learning from his mistakes, Frankenstein compounds one mistake after another, leading to his death.

Why does the monster suffer over Victor's death?

Why does the monster suffer over Victor's death? He deeply regrets having become an instrument of evil and that, with his creator dead, he is ready to die.