The character of Frankenstein goes through a couple of significant events at the age of 17. One challenging situation is that his mother, Caroline, gets sick and dies. But it’s not the end of the story. At the same time, Frankenstein had to leave his home for the German University.
Detailed answer:
Mary Shelley wrote Frankenstein; or, The Modern Prometheus at the age of 21. She published her book anonymously in 1818. To this day, her piece is called the first sci-fi novel in world literature history. The novel tells the story of the young scientist, Victor Frankenstein. As a result of various experiments, he creates a monster.
Frankenstein’s life story allows Shelley to build up his character and the plot. So she puts him in a pretty challenging situation at his young age. First, Caroline Beaufort, his mother, passes away. She dies of scarlet fever. Female characters in the Frankenstein family died early. So did Elizabeth, Victor’s wife. Second, Frankenstein leaves his home to study at the University of Ingolstadt in Germany. There he tries to bury his grief in endless experiments. That’s why he soon excels at science. Frankenstein ends up developing a secret technique that will allow him to bring a body back to life.
By this point, you may already get it. In a way, all his work is a form of compensation for his mother’s death. Frankenstein is horrified by the natural end of life. Another aspect of these events’ coincidence is that he becomes a parent of the monster he creates.