Psychoanalytical Approach To Frankenstein '

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Psychoanalytical Approach to Frankenstein In the novel “Frankenstein” written by Mary Shelley, there is evidence of an underlying struggle of nature versus nurture in regards to the inherent good or evil of the characters Victor Frankenstein and his monster. Patrick McCarthy states in his essay “Nature’s Nurture in Frankenstein” that “in order for a person to demonstrate bad or good spirit there must be a per-established capacity for both” (McCarthy 1). Meaning that as humans, there is a capacity for both good and evil to reside within us. Both characters demonstrate attributes of a good and bad spirit inside of them despite their different experiences. Victor and the monster compare themselves to Adam the son of God, and Satan in the novel. Victor was created by his parents yet he…show more content…
Later in the novel Victor states that “... whom to bring up to good, and whose future lot it was in their hands to direct to happiness or misery” (Shelley 42). This statement is addressing how society will ultimately impact Victor’s outlook on life. John Milton suggests the idea that good and evil are intertwined in his speech “Areopagitica” when he says, “It was from out the rind of one apple tasted that the knowledge of good and evil, as two twins cleaving together, leaped forth into the world. And perhaps this is that doom which Adam fell into of knowing good and evil, that is to say of knowing good by evil” (Milton 1817). This quote directly translates to the fact that humans first have to make the mistake or see the bad, to fully understand the good. Thus despite knowing the possible consequences of his actions,
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