The Failed Master and the Creature’s Resistance in Frankenstein
Keywords:
Frankenstein; master-slave dialectic; narcissism; resistance.Abstract
This study explores the master-slave dialectic in Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein, arguing the novel’s true monstrosity resides in Victor’s pathological narcissism and patriarchal power rather than the creature. Victor’s projection of repressed trauma and desire onto his creation, coupled with his refusal of recognition, constructs a fragile master-slave dynamic. The creature’s self-education and linguistic awakening foster his resistance, with his transcontinental revenge as a claim for subjectivity. The analysis reveals the novel’s critique of domination-based mastery and the destructive costs of denied recognition for identity formation.
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