The Impact of Ambition on Family and Relationships in Frankenstein: How Victor Frankenstein’s Obsession with Science Affects His Loved Ones

The Impact of Ambition on Family and Relationships in Frankenstein: How Victor Frankenstein’s Obsession with Science Affects His Loved Ones

Victor Frankenstein’s ambition and obsession with his scientific pursuits have devastating consequences for his family and relationships. As he becomes consumed with his experiments, Victor distances himself from his loved ones, including his fiancée Elizabeth, his father, and his close friend Henry. His neglect and isolation lead to tragic consequences, as his family is ultimately harmed by the creature he created.

Shelley portrays how unchecked ambition can damage personal relationships and lead to a lack of empathy and responsibility. Victor’s inability to prioritize his family and his obsession with his quest for knowledge isolate him from those who care about him. The novel suggests that ambition, when not balanced with compassion and responsibility, can lead to the destruction of the very things that give life meaning.

Through Victor’s actions, Frankenstein critiques the dangers of blind ambition, illustrating how personal and familial relationships can be irreparably harmed when ambition is allowed to overshadow human connections.