Quixotic Idealism and Moral Decay in Mary Shelley's Frankenstein

Abstract

Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein or the modern Prometheus is one of the most celebrated novels of the 19th century and of speculative fiction. The novel represents a philosophical journey to the inner depths of the human experience. While the novel focuses on a variety of issues and themes, this study mainly deals with the notion of “Quixotism” and “Quixotic idealism” in Frankenstein. This article’s main purpose is to reveal, with specific references to the text, how Victor Frankenstein’s quixotic idealism destroys morality by engaging into immoral acts and eventually leading to his catastrophic downfall. In the theoretical framework, the notion of quixotism is elaborated with references to Cervantes’ timeless novel, Don Quixote. In addition to quixotism, Kantian morality is presented with emphasis on the philosopher’s concept of “the categorical imperative”. To this end, the study compares Victor Frankenstein’s quixotism to Don Quixote’s and observing many resemblances, it draws the conclusion that both are equivalent characters whose actions are void of moral concerns. Finally, the article also aims to expose that irrationality and immorality are the consequences of quixotic idealism which result in disastrous consequences.