t was merely for greatness, assuming an authority that was not rightfully his to command. In the novel, the consequences of his decision became apparent, as he spent the majority of his life afterward plagued by anxiety and grief resulting from the course of his actions. He refuses to confide in anyone the knowledge that he holds for fear that he will not be accepted among those whom he loves, for he believes that they shall certainly believe that he is the cause of all the misfortune upon the household. In a way, the Creator has punished Victor for his arrogance, reprimanding him for trying to take a throne among beings he does not belong with, and cannot possibly understand. His quest for prominence clouded his ability to reason, and allowed him to ignore the real responsibility of his deeds, of which he had never given thought, to the point that he was radically unprepared to accept the presence to which he was obligated. These thoughts never occurred to Victor until the end of his life, when he lay on his deathbed. At this point, although he does not fully accept the evil he has created, he implores Walton to avoid the ambition that can possess a man’s soul, and to accept the happiness and tranquillity that can be attained without yearning for greatness. Victor, for his offense of disregarding the authority that he did not deserve to utilize, suffered the severe consequences of his irresponsibility, lost all that had once been of comfort to him, and died alone, dejected, and broken. Robert Walton pursued a greatness that was similar to Victor’s. He strove to master the unknowns of the physical world, so that his desire for adventure could be quelled as his notoriety increased. He decided to voyage through the arctic, taking the lives of his crew into his hands, merely to satisfy a virulent craving for knowledge. He violated the authority of the natural world, endeavoring to unlock secrets that were never meant to be unde...
