Victor Frankenstein’s tragic flaw is his lack of foresight and failure to consider the potential consequences of his actions. Throughout the novel, Mary Shelley portrays Victor as a passionate and ambitious character, driven by his desire to push the boundaries of science and create life. However, he becomes so consumed by his pursuit of knowledge and his ambition to play God that he neglects to consider the moral and ethical implications of his actions.
One of the primary manifestations of Victor’s tragic flaw is his failure to anticipate the dangers of creating a new being. Despite his extensive scientific knowledge and understanding, Victor fails to consider the potential consequences of bringing a creature to life. He becomes so fixated on the idea of success and the thrill of creating life that he overlooks the potential for the creature to become a dangerous and uncontrollable force. This lack of forethought ultimately leads to the tragic events that unfold throughout the novel.
Furthermore, Victor’s tragic flaw is also evident in his lack of responsibility and accountability for the consequences of his actions. After bringing the creature to life and realizing the magnitude of his mistake, Victor abandons his creation and shirks his responsibility as its creator. He fails to recognize that he has a moral duty to care for and guide the creature, and instead, he leaves it to fend for itself. This lack of responsibility not only leads to the creature’s feelings of abandonment and loneliness but also sets in motion a chain of tragic events that ultimately lead to the deaths of several innocent individuals.
Victor’s tragic flaw is further exacerbated by his inability to confront and deal with the consequences of his actions. Rather than taking responsibility for the creature and trying to rectify the situation, Victor chooses to avoid facing the reality of what he has done. He becomes consumed by guilt and fear, leading him to isolate himself from society and those who care about him. This avoidance only serves to worsen the situation, as the creature seeks revenge and wreaks havoc on Victor’s life.
In addition to his lack of foresight, responsibility, and accountability, Victor’s tragic flaw is also characterized by his arrogance and hubris. He believes that he has the power and knowledge to create life, defying the natural order, and surpassing the limitations of humanity. This arrogance blinds him to the potential dangers and consequences of his actions, as he believes that he can control and manipulate the forces he unleashes. However, this hubris is ultimately his downfall, as he underestimates the power and intelligence of the creature he creates.
Victor Frankenstein’s tragic flaw lies in his lack of foresight, responsibility, and accountability for the consequences of his actions. His relentless pursuit of knowledge and ambition blinds him to the potential dangers and moral implications of creating life. This lack of awareness and arrogance ultimately leads to his own downfall, as he becomes entangled in a web of guilt, fear, and destruction. Mary Shelley’s portrayal of Victor serves as a cautionary tale, highlighting the tragic consequences that can arise from unchecked ambition and the failure to consider the ethical implications of one’s actions.