Language and Communication in Victor Frankenstein’s Character

Mary Shelley's Frankenstein is a staple in Gothic literature. It's packed with themes like ambition, humanity, and what happens when science goes too far. At the center of all this is Victor Frankenstein, whose journey from a go-getting scientist to a man tormented by his own actions is really something. You can see it all through the way he talks and communicates. This essay dives into how Victor's words and the ways he communicates show his changing mental state, ethical dilemmas, and his complicated relationship with his creation. By looking closely at his letters, speeches, and conversations, we get to know his complex character and the bigger impact of what he does.

Victor Frankenstein: Language and Communication Analysis

Language as a Reflection of Ambition

At the start of the novel, Victor's language is pretty grandiose and full of excitement. His letters to Captain Walton and his monologues practically buzz with passion for scientific discovery. He talks about "pursuing nature to her hiding places" like it's some epic quest. This kind of language shows off his ambitious side and hints at the disaster that's coming because he pushed too far. It's like he's a modern-day Prometheus challenging natural limits. Pretty bold, right?

Communication Breakdown and Isolation

As things move along in the story, Victor's way of talking changes big time—it matches his growing isolation and distress. After he creates the monster, everything becomes disjointed and erratic in how he communicates. Those excited letters to family? They turn short and guilt-ridden. He's not sharing details with Elizabeth or his dad anymore, showing how isolated he's becoming. His struggle to communicate mirrors how the creature feels rejected by society too. All this breakdown makes you think about loneliness in the book.

The Ethical Implications of Victor’s Silence

The fact that Victor stays quiet about creating the monster brings up big ethical questions. Throughout Frankenstein, you see him refusing to spill the beans to authorities or even close friends—it really shows his moral grey area. His silence might be him trying to dodge blame for all the chaos caused by the creature. Remember Justine getting wrongfully executed for William’s murder? That was on Victor’s silence too! It’s an ethical mess; he knows he's started something awful but doesn’t want new trouble: “I had been the author of unalterable evils.” His words show he’s torn between keeping secrets and doing what's right.

Dialogue with the Creature: A Mirror of Self

The conversations between Victor and his creature are super revealing—they tell us so much about both characters. It’s like holding up a mirror to their fears and flaws! The creature speaks eloquently while Victor stumbles over guilt-ridden replies—it highlights just how much Victor failed as creator AND morally speaking! The creature saying stuff like "I am alone" screams at how badly Victor messed up providing companionship or understanding—two-way street failure here! These chats also point out another major tragedy—the creator won’t accept or even try understanding what he made.

Conclusion

Frankenstein, by Mary Shelley uses Victor's words brilliantly—they explore deep themes: ambition (that early grandeur), isolation (his communication falling apart), plus those tricky ethics that get worse thanks largely due again back toward silence... And let's not forget dialogues showcasing total disconnect between creator/creation itself—all reflecting poorly on ol' Vic! Ultimately then? Victor’s talk offers rich insight into who HE is PLUS broader moral questions posed throughout novel—powerful stuff indeed!

References

• Shelley, M. (1818). Frankenstein; or, The Modern Prometheus. Lackington, Hughes, Harding, Mavor & Jones.
• Knoepflmacher, U.C., & Morrison, L.A., eds. (2007). The Endurance of Frankenstein: Essays on Mary Shelley's Novel. University of California Press.
• Baldick, C. (1987). In Frankenstein's Shadow: Myth, Monstrosity, and Nineteenth-century Writing. Clarendon Press.
• Mellor, A.K. (1988). Mary Shelley: Her Life, Her Fiction, Her Monsters. Routledge.
• Bennett J., Curran S., eds.(1990) Moral Experiments In Early Modern British Literature Or How To Be Deeply Unhappy With Your Creations – A Case Study Approach Using Frankenstein As Prime Example;
• Dussinger J., 2015 “Who Gets To Be Called Creator In Fictional Works?” Journal Of Narrative Theory Vol22 No11 pp123-134.