The obsessive pursuit of knowledge, fame and fortune can often undervalue a person's life and become the main focus of their existence. In the novel Frankenstein by Mary Shelley, she proves that obsession is a dangerous aspect of human behavior, which always results in a negative outcome. This is primarily depicted through the story's protagonist, Dr. Victor Frankenstein, due to Dr. Frankenstein's obsessive personality. fails to recognize the effects of his scientific experiments which ultimately led to his and his family's deaths. As the Doctor provides insight into his early childhood, his earliest memories include those of "Curiosity, earnest seeking to learn the hidden laws of nature's joy." the rapture, as it was revealed to me, is among the first sensations I remember” (Shelley 22). Very early in Dr. Frankenstein's life he was curious about science, his desire to unveil the "hidden laws of nature" was like a seed which then grew to the point of later becoming his obsession with finding the cure for mortality . Once he begins his work on creating the monster, he often remains sleepless and becomes weak due to the long hours of work he commits to. He states, “Every night I was oppressed by a slow fever and became nervous to a very painful degree” (Shelley 42). The reader has now seen his appetite for scientific breakthroughs transformed into a self-centered desire for acclaim and recognition. This provides a perfect example of his obsession as he is so focused on his work that he begins to ignore his family as well as his declining mental and physical well-being. He knows that the religious and scientific communities would take a dim view of his experiment; this creates nervousness... middle of paper ...... captain to “undertake my unfinished work, and I renew this request now, when I am moved only by reason and virtue” (Shelley 207 ). Even on his deathbed, he still wants to achieve his goal of killing the creature. Some of his last words are used to convey his mission to the ship's captain. After losing almost his entire family, he now feels the same bloodlust that the monster has felt all along. Victor Frankenstein is blind to the consequences of his scientific experiments due to his overly obsessive personality. Mary Shelley's story serves as a cautionary tale against the harmful powers of obsession. The search for knowledge, recognition and prosperity can lead one down a very dangerous road and distance them from what really matters in their life. Works Cited Shelley, Mary. Frankenstein. New York: Bantam Books, 1981. Print