Scientific Heroism and Its Representations: A Psychoanalytical Approach to Frankenstein or the Modern Prometheus

Abstract

Heroism refers to the qualities or attributes of a hero or heroine. A hero or heroine is the main character or the sole protagonist of a story, who, though flawed, is often endowed with admirable qualities and displays great courage and bravery as the story unfolds. In Frankenstein or the Modern Prometheus, Victor Frankenstein is portrayed as a gifted scientist who has a brilliant idea of imparting life to inanimate things. But, as a flawed human being, his uncontrolled passion, has worked against his intention and he has unwittingly ended up creating a monster. The paper, through a psychoanalytical approach, analyses the power of knowledge on Frankenstein in a techno-scientific world. It firstly, discusses the different features which make Frankenstein a tragic hero. Then, it lists out and discusses the conflictual forces or flaws that have worked against Frankenstein making him a victim.