How does Mary Shelley deal with the theme of guilt in Volume 1 of Frankenstein?

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                           How does Mary Shelley deal with the theme of guilt in Volume 1 of Frankenstein?

Victor Frankenstein's thirst for knowledge endangered many lives and caused chaos and sorrow to the society he lived in.In chapter two,the mood becomes sober as Victor assumes a tone of regret at having gone overboard in his surge for greater knowledge.However,Victor subtly lays the blame on his father and feels that his father's dismissal of such authors as Paracelsus had in fact provoked him to venture further into the old sciences.Victor Frankenstein did not,initially,claim any responsibility for his actions and this eventually leads to the deaths of innocent people.

Victor's departure for Ingolstadt is delayed by Elizabeth's illness,which he believed to be an omen of his future misery.Victor is now completely overcome by guilt when he looks back at wanting to pursue his studies in the forbidden field.This sense of guilt is similar to the guilt that 'the ancient mariner' felt after he had shot the albatross.Victor's ambition, however, overcomes guilt as he pursues nature in all her 'hiding places'. Victor starts off with what he thinks is a noble aim.He is sure that overcoming death by creating life will benefit humanity. The process of creation takes its toll on him as he now becomes slightly nervous:'even a falling leaf can disturb him'. He is now scared that his creative imagination may have its disadvantages and could have dire consequences.

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In chapter five,Victor finally succeeds in his attempt to bring to life the huge creature. However,when he sees its ugliness he rejects the living creature-his own achievement-and is possessed by a feeling of 'horror and disgust ' at the sight of the creature. He regrets his decision and avoids the creature as if he were trying to escape from reality. The nightmare that the scientist has is highly symbolic of his guilt at having set off a chain of casualties. He holds himself responsible for having the potential to lead Elizabeth,his dear cousin, to her death. He is now ...

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