Frankenstein: The Cost of Greatness

In Mary Shelly's novel Frankenstein: or the Modern Prometheus, she portrays two characters that share the same characteristics and personalities. These two characters are Robert Walton and Victor Frankenstein. Each character has dreams of greatness and a plan to bring it about. Yet, the visions, thoughts, and actions of both men follow similar patterns. Both Frankenstein and Walton undertake a journey to greatness but at what cost? Sometimes single-minded focus requires a higher price than …

…to help mankind, yet neither man is able to bring his goal to fruition. Throughout their attempts, each man suffers the same sense of lost dreams. In real life we discover that the personal cost of greatness is often too high a price to pay. In the words of Victor Frankenstein, "Seek happiness in tranquillity and avoid ambition, even if it be only the apparently innocent one of distinguishing yourself in science and discoveries" (p. 205).