Egotism: The self-portait of Obsession
NARCISSISM - though not one of the original seven deadly sins, being inflicted with egotism can entail a person in a collaboration of them, including pride, greed, and wrath. To get an understanding of Victor's Narcissism, there needs to be a simplicit understanding to the own ideal about Narcissism.
Having Narcissism have many characteristic that repel it from benevolence. Narcissism can be defined as as a disorder that signifies obsession with one's self and an egotsitc and ruthless pursuit to one's dominance and self-gratification. There are an extravagant amount of characteristics to the disorder. One of the major symptoms includes an excessive amount of amourpropre of one's reflection, believing they are the center of attention. As shown in the picture to the side, the man seems to be obsessed with his reflection, stuck in the trance of his own illusion.Those that become homed in only on themselves also create much distrubance between their relationship with others. As the center of attention shifts to themselves, they show a lack of empathy or care for others, as well as a strong feeling of grandiosity that makes them feel that they must be recognized as superior to the point of lying. They often go leaps and bounds to deem themselves unique or special.
The origin of the disorder is believed to be commonly attributed to childhood abuse and trauma inflicted on them by an authoritive figure, their own guardians, or the peers around them. Though many cases range from mild to reactive, there are some that deal with the transient to the permanent personality disorder. The two types of this order include Cerebral and Somatic, which means the disease was derivated from the intelligence or academic achievements whie the other from physique prowess and conquest - respectively. Cerebral often deals with the obsession to be ing fame, fearsome, powerful, and omnippotent. On the other side of the coin, somatic deals with the obsession of beauty or ideals and the everlasting, all-conquering love or passion.
Yet, how does this relate to Victor Frankenstein, and why is it such an importance to the discussion between Nature vs. Nurture?
Having Narcissism have many characteristic that repel it from benevolence. Narcissism can be defined as as a disorder that signifies obsession with one's self and an egotsitc and ruthless pursuit to one's dominance and self-gratification. There are an extravagant amount of characteristics to the disorder. One of the major symptoms includes an excessive amount of amourpropre of one's reflection, believing they are the center of attention. As shown in the picture to the side, the man seems to be obsessed with his reflection, stuck in the trance of his own illusion.Those that become homed in only on themselves also create much distrubance between their relationship with others. As the center of attention shifts to themselves, they show a lack of empathy or care for others, as well as a strong feeling of grandiosity that makes them feel that they must be recognized as superior to the point of lying. They often go leaps and bounds to deem themselves unique or special.
The origin of the disorder is believed to be commonly attributed to childhood abuse and trauma inflicted on them by an authoritive figure, their own guardians, or the peers around them. Though many cases range from mild to reactive, there are some that deal with the transient to the permanent personality disorder. The two types of this order include Cerebral and Somatic, which means the disease was derivated from the intelligence or academic achievements whie the other from physique prowess and conquest - respectively. Cerebral often deals with the obsession to be ing fame, fearsome, powerful, and omnippotent. On the other side of the coin, somatic deals with the obsession of beauty or ideals and the everlasting, all-conquering love or passion.
Yet, how does this relate to Victor Frankenstein, and why is it such an importance to the discussion between Nature vs. Nurture?
"No one can concieve the variety of feelings which bore me onwards, like a hurricane, in the first enthusiam of success. Life and death appeared to me ideal bounds, which I should first break through, and pour a torrent of light into our dark world. A new species would bless me as its creator and source; many happy and exellent natures would owe their being to me. No father could claim a graitude of his child so completely as I should deserve theirs.
- Victor Frankenstein, Frankenstein.
As provided by the quote above, we can already see the sign's of Victor's egotism. His obsession to create this mavelous and unique creature into the world to recieve eternal affection to their creator. Thorough the first few chapters of the novel, it builds up and builds up to the creation of the creature, which at the moment, Victor - completely disgusted - exiles his own creation. The rest of the novel, it's Victor's mistakes that lead him to the end of the masterwork.
Victor Frankenstein can be classified as having Cerebral Narcissism. Consistently he has shown obsession with his own personal benefits, whether they may be the "ultimate" creation or his own personal studies. Day after day, week after week, even month after month Victor will seclude himself from others, just to work on his own projects. Even Elizabeth, he dear sister and later his bride to be, has pointed out his obsession, and constantly tries to pull him away from his work to relax. However, though he takes recognition of the letters, his egotistic-fueled side takes in effect and completely shows a lack of saliency to return home.
Likewise, his constant treatment of his creature emphasizes the fact that the "failure" to his success is something that Victor himself cannot bear to stand. Even when the monster asked him for a mate from his creator, Victor could not pull himself together to do it and destroyed the body to prevent another one of his creations, one that would add stress to the fact that his work goes against his reputation and a reflection of himself. It was the main reason why he banished his own creation from himself, and why he attempts to keep the monster from anything that has to do with him, such as attacking his family and friends.
Though, Victor's narcissism is not that fatal as it seems, because he still shows much affection for those that he loves such as William and Elizabeth, who ended up being victims of Victor's own monster due to jealousy and anger. It is not very well described how Victor gained his narcissism, but it appears mostly in his childhood. Like the argument of Nature vs. Nurture, we question how Victor became the narcissistic scientist.
However, the questions we wonder is how the monster was affected by Victor's Narcissism and how it affected the way Frankenstein's creature became. Was Victor's egotistic and rather descructive nature the result the the monster's own behavior through traits, or was it the nurture he recieved from all the people that screamed in horror at him that made him who he was? This all leads up to the big question of whether or not everything happened because of Nature or Nurture, and how this ended up being the downfall of Victor himself.
Victor Frankenstein can be classified as having Cerebral Narcissism. Consistently he has shown obsession with his own personal benefits, whether they may be the "ultimate" creation or his own personal studies. Day after day, week after week, even month after month Victor will seclude himself from others, just to work on his own projects. Even Elizabeth, he dear sister and later his bride to be, has pointed out his obsession, and constantly tries to pull him away from his work to relax. However, though he takes recognition of the letters, his egotistic-fueled side takes in effect and completely shows a lack of saliency to return home.
Likewise, his constant treatment of his creature emphasizes the fact that the "failure" to his success is something that Victor himself cannot bear to stand. Even when the monster asked him for a mate from his creator, Victor could not pull himself together to do it and destroyed the body to prevent another one of his creations, one that would add stress to the fact that his work goes against his reputation and a reflection of himself. It was the main reason why he banished his own creation from himself, and why he attempts to keep the monster from anything that has to do with him, such as attacking his family and friends.
Though, Victor's narcissism is not that fatal as it seems, because he still shows much affection for those that he loves such as William and Elizabeth, who ended up being victims of Victor's own monster due to jealousy and anger. It is not very well described how Victor gained his narcissism, but it appears mostly in his childhood. Like the argument of Nature vs. Nurture, we question how Victor became the narcissistic scientist.
However, the questions we wonder is how the monster was affected by Victor's Narcissism and how it affected the way Frankenstein's creature became. Was Victor's egotistic and rather descructive nature the result the the monster's own behavior through traits, or was it the nurture he recieved from all the people that screamed in horror at him that made him who he was? This all leads up to the big question of whether or not everything happened because of Nature or Nurture, and how this ended up being the downfall of Victor himself.