Frankenstein by Mary Shelley is a novel full of unique and profound characters. Over the course of the chapters, Victor Frankenstein progresses from an ignorant and simple man to a madman with chaotic actions. His seemingly innocent studies turn into an obsession with power and science. His thirst for authority forces him to abandon both his family and his childhood. Creating such an abomination possessed a terrifying quality that could ruin everything he had built. After creating the monster, he quickly realized that it was the beginning of an end. Frankenstein's actions destroyed his healthy lifestyle, creating a chaotic mess of dastardly deeds. Victor's psychological breakdown has destroyed both his life and the lives of those around him. Knowledge is a dangerous thing when given to the wrong person because it has the ability to drive a sane man mad and drive an innocent man to murder. In his early years, Victor's life was simple and promising. He dreamed of completing his studies following his heart at the University of Ingolstadt. While there, he studied a number of things including alchemy, natural philosophy, and various forms of science. "In this state of mind I devoted myself to mathematics and to the branches of study belonging to that science as built on secure foundations and therefore worthy of my consideration" (27). Victor had an innocent heart filled with an incredible passion for science along with a good head on his shoulders. Like any other young scholar, he longed to know the world and the secrets within it. He began an ignorant journey in which he had no inclination as to how the future would unfold. Although his intentions were pure and kind-hearted, they soon crumbled as ... middle of paper ... the possibility of creation darkens his previous life, creating a dangerous atmosphere throughout the novel. The psychological effects of power on Frankenstein's thought process are what will ultimately lead to the destruction of his sanity. Victor attributes his tragic fate to his relentless pursuit of knowledge, which was the true cause of his personal suffering. His conclusion demonstrates to the reader that knowledge is dangerous and destructive in more ways than one. Thomas Gray once said, “where ignorance is bliss, it is folly to be wise,” meaning that anyone foolish enough to seek knowledge will never see the light of day. Works Cited Jones, Chris. "The Major Themes of Frankenstein, by Mary Shelley." Yahoo!. 24 July 2008. 6 March 2011. Web.“Frankenstein”. KnowledgeRush. 2009. March 6, 2011. Web.Shelley, Mary. Frankenstein. New York: Bantam Books. 1818. Print.