preview

Manfred's Development Of Autonomy In Frankenstein, By Mary Shelley

Better Essays

Victor and Manfred share an important similarity: the desire for radical autonomy. Manfred’s development of autonomy is in two strongly definable phases. Manfred’s situation better suits his pursuit of complete autonomy because he does not have a responsibility to those around him. This allows him to be fully independent from obligations. In Frankenstein, Victor continually tries to attain a defiant autonomy, but he is swimming against the current with his desire. Victor is unable to retain a complete independence because of his responsibility to the monster, which grows and transforms into a dependency. The shared drive of being defiant in their independence is a key factor for the outcomes of both stories; the differing outcomes suggest …show more content…

His true desire is to remain independent, even if it means a continuance of his suffering. This desire for independence only grows when Manfred requests the summoning of Astarte’s spirit from Arimanes. He refuses to kneel and instead believes that Arimanes should kneel with him, stating, “let him kneel, and we will kneel together” (II, 48-49). When Manfred is speaking with the spirit of Astarte, he instantly becomes dependent on her. Believing she has the power to relieve his suffering; he is at the mercy of her words: “Say on, say on--I live but in the sound-- it is thy voice” (III, 150-151). Manfred’s transition from phase one of his autonomy to phase two pivots on Astarte’s forgiveness. He asks her explicitly, “am I forgiven?” (III, 154). She answers him with a “farewell” (III, 155). The first refusal of respite Manfred receives provides the blow needed to fully transition into the second phase of his autonomy. A spirit describes the change: “Yet, see, he mastereth himself, and makes his torture tributary to his will” (III, 160-161). Manfred makes his torture a source to promote his will. After this, Manfred ceases to seek an outside solution for his suffering and refuses potential help that come to him, such as the Abbot (III, 18-19). Manfred’s refusal of Abbot’s assistance relates the new power he holds over himself: “whate’er I may have been, or am doth rest between Heaven and myself-- I shall not choose a mortal to be my mediator” (III, 51-55). Manfred

Get Access