The Guilt of the Mind The discoveries of the esteemed psychologist Sigmund Freud are still studied today. It was the largest known leap in knowledge of the human brain. Many of Freud's theories applied to fictional characters help us better understand the state of mind of the characters and the author. The brain and emotions can have a lasting effect on life, death, success or even failure. Ultimately, Victor Frankenstein's downfall can be traced to Freudian psychological phenomena, particularly a refusal to live in the ego and a less than ideal childhood. It has been proven that how one is raised as a child can have a great effect on them. an adult; this is supported by Frankenstein and his upbringing. In telling his story, Victor explains that “no human being could have had a happier childhood than I” (Shelley 45). Victor's childhood did not prepare him in any way for the world outside the bubble in which he grew up. He lived conflict-free and led a pampered life, without conflict, desire or need for anything. He had no problems or worries, his parents cared for him, and he was waited on hand and foot by others, making him expect that the real world would be just as easy, an illusion that was cruelly stopped when he left the nest. Victor later recounts that during his childhood his father told him, “my dear Victor, don't waste your time on this” (Shelley 46). Victor's parents claimed to know what was best for him and had planned his life for him, essentially from birth, making key decisions that led to an extreme lack of decisiveness in his adulthood. Later Victor 'miraculously' changes his mind and begins to focus on his future and his studies, he says "when I look back... halfway down the paper... and leave my opponent in being" (Shelley 172). This is undoubtedly a step towards madness. The only reason Victor didn't allow himself to die is that if he had died before the monster there would have been no stopping him. An extreme example of living within the super ego, the only thing Victor lives for is the lives of others. Victor's time spent in Super Ego is a major reason for his demise, the fact that he only cares about others and not himself harms him more than anything else he experiences. Frankenstein's downfall can easily be traced back to psychological issues that date back to his childhood. . His focus on spending most of his life within the ego and superego shows that he does not understand how a well-balanced life can be beneficial to him and others, which ultimately leads to his downfall. It wasn't the monster's fault but purely his.