Where Do the Motives in Characters from “Frankenstein” and “One Flew over the Cuckoo's Nest” Originate and and What Role Do These Motives Play in Defining the Fate of a Character?

characters are in many ways divergent, and it is in fact these traits that reveal the most about

white men were enemies and that he had to stick to his own blood. He was used to his

In “Frankenstein” by Mary Shelley, good intentions are destroyed by ambitious, selfish, and disrespectful behavior. Frankenstein along with the creature, although seemingly different in personalities, have many characteristics that interlock with each other creating a suspenseful plot filled with good intentions that are never fully executed. Dominance is a reoccurring theme in “Frankenstein” as both Victor Frankenstein, himself, and the creature strive to be perfect in every task they preform. Although that strive for excellence may be a quality that many wish to attain, the intentions of both Frankenstein and the creature are shattered due to their behaviors. As Frankenstein embarks on adventures whose outcomes are not what he predicts,

Frankenstein's ambition was based on his hunger for knowledge. He wanted to know how the world worked, specifically life ever since he was young. This is the start of the slippery slope, he allowed his ambition to turn into an obsession. “I had worked hard for nearly two years, for the sole purpose of infusing life into an inanimate body. For this I had deprived myself of rest and health. I had desired it with an ardour that far exceeded moderation” (Shelley 45)

• What are the characters’ emotions, attitudes, and behaviors? What do these indicate to the reader about the character?

Book I as he demonstrates a way of detecting a man’s true conviction to his moral and

This foundation, whether healthy or unhealthy, will form the way in which a person relates as an adult. Like Wilson (2001) and Hawkins (2010) who assert that external factors, such as other people, impact an individual’s emotions and behavior and ultimately form the personality structure, I also believe this personality theory. The Source, Role, and Function of Motivation (.5)

Throughout the creation of the monster, there are several hints that can support a reader’s judgment that the degree of comprehension that Victor has in the palm of his hands is, in fact, treacherous. In chapter two of, Frankenstein, Victor says, “The raising of ghosts or devils was a promise liberally accorded by my favorite authors,

Victor Frankenstein’s moral ambiguity lies in good intentions with bad results. Victor evolves from an intellectually curious, innocent and blameless man to being remorseful, secluded and obsessed with the

Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein, illustrates an interesting story focusing in on many different themes, but what most readers may miss, is the similarities between Victor Frankenstein and the creature he created. As the story develops, one may pick up on these similarities more and more. This is portrayed through their feelings of isolation, thirst for revenge, their bold attempt to play god, and also their hunger to obtain knowledge. These are all displayed through a series of both the actions and the words of Frankenstein and his creature.

In the novel, the readers learn that the main antagonist, Victor Frankenstein, is trying to reanimate life and create a “new generation” of advanced humans. Despite being successful in creating the monster, Victor would abandon his creation which forces it to have and conceive different identities and creates conflicting perspectives for the readers. This technique of giving the monster different identities is used by Shelley to portray the monster as a complex being. In the book, Victor abandons his creation because he is horribly terrified as he sees his creation is dreadful looking and says, “I beheld the wretch

The idea of pursuing knowledge clouded Victor’s mind and when his creature is born he is shocked to discover that what he has created is far off his own expectations. Not only did the monster destroy his expectations of developing a creature that went beyond human knowledge, but it also affected his life, dignity, and fears. Victor himself admits to his own mistake when he says, “The different accidents of life are not so changeable as the feelings of human nature...but now that I had finished, the beauty of the dream vanished, and breathless honor and disgust filled my heart ” (36). Victor Frankenstein realizes what his obsession with pursuing an extensive amount of knowledge has brought him. His destiny to achieve the impossible with no regard for anyone or anything but himself shows that he is blinded by knowledge when creating the monster and is incapable to foresee the outcome of his creation. Victor’s goal was meant to improve and help humanity, but instead it leads to

its wake. The three key elements to his motivation are his sense of supremacy and superiority,

As the plot progresses and the character is exposed to the conflict, they have an epiphany that ultimately changes his perspectives and persona.

The motive brings the thought of perception in what they are doing is happening. She believes that her family is getting sicker every day as the sun sets. Her mind convinces her only solution to cure them is to kill everyone. She is determined in undoubtedly, every day it overwhelms her mind she is not helping her family to be cured. As she looks up to her son Alexander, her husband Smith and a little daughter, she finally decides to cure her family of the sickness.