On the surface Frankenstein tells the story of a man plagued by the creature he himself created and then left to perish. However, below the surface of Mary Shelley"'"s novel, a darker current of the desires of the subconscious streams about. Victor Frankenstein does not create a separate being that destroys his life, but merely manifests a creature that strives to carry out his subconscious bidding.

In the beginning of the story, Victor is a well-adjusted young man. He has a loving family and a loyal friend. However, this changes when his mother dies of scarlet fever. On her deathbed, she asks that Victor join his '"'sister'"' Elizabeth in matrimony. Her wish is considered, but presently Victor intends to attend school in Ingolstadt. His '"'desires were complied with'"' and he was able '"'to enter the world and take [his] station among...