Alexander Nowak
Medfield High School
English
1/6/2011
A Dire Flaw

In some novels, the main character often possesses a negative trait which ultimately becomes his/her biggest flaw. The manner of how the protagonist responds to his/her troubles impacts the development of the flaw. One character in particular encompasses a trait that even with his self-awareness, is unaware of the selfishness in his veins. In the novel Frankenstein, the protagonist Victor Frankenstein is this particular individual whose conscience consists of much responsibility but no discipline to show for it. Although he feels responsible for deaths of many others, Victor never confesses when he knows the fault is his. His vengeance almost keeps him away from the …show more content…

She left me, and I continued some time walking up and down the passages of the house, and inspecting every corner that might afford a retreat to my adversary. But I discovered no trace of him, and was beginning to conjecture that some fortunate chance had intervened to prevent the execution of his menaces, when suddenly I heard a shrill and dreadful scream. It came from the room into which Elizabeth had retired.

Victor does not show any attention towards the possibility for the monster to confront Elizabeth. If he had any ounce of a heart Victor would have her stick by his side. By leaving her and protecting himself, whether directly or indirectly, the conceited mind of Victor murders Elizabeth.

In summary, the ultimate flaw of Victor Frankenstein and the root of his problems is selfishness. It keeps him away from all that should mean something to him. Sadly, caring for anything else isn’t really an option for Victor when his very morality is enclosed by a narcissistic mind. Responsibility is something he knows very well, but actually taking the blame for what he knows with a shadow of a doubt is his fault and admitting it is one thing he does not do. Victor’s conceitedness causes him to reject his own creation. This in turn causes the monster to kill in the terrible name of its creator. Although the love from Victor to Elizabeth is