"Thus my prophetic soul, as, torn by remorse, horror, and despair, I beheld those I loved spend vain sorrow upon the graves of William and Justine, the first hapless victims to my unhallowed arts."
As expressed in this line by Victor Frankenstein in chapter 8, Frankenstein is at the height of a "man versus self" problem.
Being absolutely convinced that the monster he created was the one to kill William, Frankenstein feels "agony" and guilt over ever creating the monster. But then, Frankenstein learns that Elizabeth's sister, Christine, is the one being accused of the murder. Frankenstein, though, isn't capable of revealing the true murderer of his brother. After all, he knew that most people would think of him as either a crazy madman or would name him the ultimate cause of the murder, and Frankenstein obviously didn't want that reputation or punishment for himself or for others who he knew would be overwhelmingly disappointed in his actions.
Frankenstein's guilt irks him so strongly that at one point he says,
"I gnashed my teeth, and ground them together, uttering a groan that came from my inmost soul."
Frankenstein is completely aware that he has made a disastrous mistake from his "inner madness", which makes him fit the character of "the Romantic hero".
Characteristics of "the Romantic hero" that fit Victor Frankenstein:
- ~introspection
- ~self-criticism
- ~regret for actions
These three key traits of "the Romantic hero" are somewhat easy to see in Victor Frankenstein in this particular part in the novel.
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