Bipolar Frankenstein

Many who first think of Victor Frankenstein, and some who read Frankenstein, may think that he is insane. It is true in the facts that he does have emotional outbursts at random times, which leads one to believe so. But in fact Frankenstein is bipolar. Bipolar disorder is when you are unable to control yours actions, whether they are manic or depressive. Frankenstein experiences drastic changes in mood, which can be clinically diagnosed as bipolar disorder.

The severe mood changes that Victor Frankenstein experiences are not unexplainable. One minute he is completely fine and content, and the next he can be completely depressed or overly excited about an event. Bipolar disorder is exactly this. Most of the time people with bipolar disorder live healthy, normal lives. Most people experience normal up and downs that a person would in their life time. But Victor’s severe mood changes are not normal. Bipolar disorder is also known as manic-depressive illness, which is a brain disorder that causes unusual shifts in a person’s mood, energy and ability to function (Bipolar 1). One can see from the beginning of the novel that Victor is searching for companionship because he is very lonely. By creating the creature he is filling this void. That is when Victor is experiencing a depressive episode. When Henry comes to visit and Victor freaks out because of paranoia, this is an example of a manic episode.

Manic episodes can be defined clinically as acting or feeling “overly high” (Bipolar 2). They can include but are not limited to the inability to concentrate, having racing thoughts, little sleep is needed, erratic sprees of screaming, unrealistic belief in ones abilities or powers, extreme irritability, and overly euphoric mood (Bipolar 2). And indeed Victor Frankenstein shows all of these symptoms.

When Victor is walking from his apartment in chapter five, right after bringing the creature to life he cannot concentrate, “… walking up and down in the greatest agitation, listening attentively, catching and fearing each sound as if it were to announce the approach of the demonical corpse which I had so miserably given life.”(Frankenstein 36) One can see that Frankenstein cannot concentrate on anything but that he created a monster that he doesn’t want anymore. His thoughts are racing as to what he is going to do and how he is to handle the situation. The unrealistic belief that he could bring something to life from dead body parts was an early sign of the bipolar illness. This belief is so unrealistic for a person to accomplish, but because this is a fictional story, it happened. “ I did not before remark of how very ill you appear; so thin and pale; you look as if you have been watching for several nights” “You have guessed right; I have lately been so deeply engaged in one occupation, that I have not allowed myself sufficient rest…” (Frankenstein 37) When Henry and Frankenstein talk about how he has not slept for several nights shows how Victor didn’t need much sleep, because he was so wrapped up in creating his creature. When Henry finally enters Victor’s house, with much anticipation from Victor, he has a very severe manic episode. “…I felt my flesh tingle with excess of sensitiveness, and my pulse beat rapidly. I was unable to remain for a single instant in the same place. I jumped over the chairs, clapped my hands, and laughed aloud. Clerval at first attributed my unusual spirits to joy on his arrival, but when he observed me more attentively, he saw