“Learn from me, if not by my precepts, at least by my example, how dangerous is the acquirement of knowledge and how much happier that man is who believes his native town to be the world, than he who aspires to become greater than his nature will allow.”
Victor’s ambition brings about his downfall. To what extent do you agree?
Intro: I agree – a large/ small/ certain extent
Ambition brings victors downfall, but it isn’t the only reason
- Walton had ambition but did not let it get the best of him
A combination of ambition and perceived destiny; fuel to the fire- the idea that victor’s ambition propelled him closer to his downfall but his own perception of choice made it even worse?
Point 1:
- Victor’s downfall:
- Ambition fueled Victor’s creation which ultimately led to his demise
- Victor’s ambitious pursuit for knowledge that initially made him sick/ neglect his family/ etc
- Allows for ambition to take over duty to his family and himself
- this all made him create the monster which killed his family then himself
Point 2:
- Add fate to the mix and hes dead lmao
- Always said that from a young age he was ambitious
- Suggested that it was destined from his youth; meaning that he doens’t think it’s possible to not follow your ambitions to the ends of the earth and blames it on “ignorance is bliss”
- We see this in Walton’s ability to resist over-ambition; because he never connects it with his fate
Conclusion
Quotes:
For when I would account to myself for the birth of that passion, which afterwards ruled my destiny, I find it arise, like a mountain river, from ignoble and almost forgotten sources; but swelling as it proceeded, it became the torrent which, in its course, has swept away all my hopes and joys.
– Mary Shelley
Frankenstein, Chapter 2. Victor on the origins of his obsession with artifically creating life.
“I trod heaven in my thoughts, now exulting in my powers, now burning with the idea of their effects. From my infancy I was imbued with high hopes and a lofty ambition.”
– Mary Shelley
Frankenstein, Chapter 24. Victor Frankenstein to Walton.
“If no man allowed any pursuit whatsoever to interfere with the tranquility of his domestic affections, Greece had not been enslaved; Caesar would have spared his country; America would have been discovered more gradually; and the empires of Mexico and Peru had not been destroyed.”
BOW choice: Have 1 or 2 lessons per BOW as a class. Allows you to pick a favourite for the IO or HLE and dive deeper independently.
IB English Lang + Lit (HL) 
A good start, Shivonne. I think you are making the question more complex and complicated than it needs to be. His ambition leads him to make certain decisions that in turn lead to isolation and an unhealthy focus on his goal. He wants to be “great” and to create something that will make him revered by humankind. He also wants to have all the knowledge and therefore discover the secrets of the universe. I think that Walton is able to contain his ambition when it becomes clear that he/his employees will suffer or die if continues with his goal. Victor allows his ambition – to learn, to create, to seek revenge – to control him and is unable to moderate it.
Thesis statement – make sure this answers the essay question/topic and shows the reasons or arguments you will give to support this.
Topic sentences – make sure these answer the essay question or topic:
Victor’s ambition to xxxx leads indirectly to his downfall.
Victor’s downfall was also caused by xxx.
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