2/20 notes

Frankenstein:

Walton wants to be a poet or discoverer, wants to be great in some way
Victor is ambitious to be great, to overcome death itself. Shelley describes both as artists. Shelley was not indeed writing about how man shouldn't meddle with god's domain, but about analyzing the "why" of the pursuit of Victor, and all humans. Victor is seen as even more criticized in 1831 version. Victor frequently says things like "I was fated". This is simply not true - he decided for himself, it was not his actual fate. Victor exculpates himself, justifies his mistakes through myth. Is fate real, or is it simply a concept endorsed by those trying to justify their mistakes? Of course, fate is often credited to good accomplishments. Perhaps fate is a concept related to religion, in that both center around faith in a concept.

During the creation of his creature, Victor views himself as a god-like father, and that this being will owe him everything. He thinks that this being will be a great creation; benevolent and impressive. He is completely engulfed in this process, almost killing himself in creating this new life. Victor is extremely ego-centric: he believes that he can do no wrong, and he is "fated" for greatness.