Dr. Frankenstein's Folly

In this post I would like to discuss some of Victor's decision making skills. While, as a scientist, it would be easy to assume that Victor would use logic and care when resolving decisions in his life, in reality his choices throughout the course of Frankenstein appear to consistently decrease in rationality. I primarily attributed this to the mental trauma and sorrow that he began experiencing towards the conclusion of the novel. However, in one instance he made a choice with such questionably judgement that I had to wonder how he could have assumed it would be a good idea.

I'm speaking specifically of Victor's decision to travel back to his home and marry Elisabeth. The decision he made despite an obvious threat:

"I will watch with the wiliness of a snake, that I may sting with its venom. Man, you shall repent the injuries you inflict...I go; but remember, I shall be with you on your wedding night" -Pg 147

 One would think that those words would send a clear message to Victor about the intelligence of returning to marry his future wife. Contrary to my expectations though, when Victor does receive a request from Elisabeth about the future of their relationship, he somehow convinces himself that it could bring no danger upon her to return:

"I resolved therefore, that if my immediate union with my cousin would conduce either to hers or my father's happiness, my adversary's designs against my life should not retard it a single hour"-Pg 167

Victor both foolishly and selfishly assumes that only he could be in danger from the monster (the same monster that has already killed three of his friends without attacking him). He seems to convince himself that he is only returning to ensure her and his father's happiness for a short while, at least until he is inevitably killed. In the lines leading up to Elisabeth's death scene, the foreshadowing makes Victors obliviousness painful to read. Despite the sadness of this chapter, this was one of the times when my annoyance over his decision pulled me out of the story more than I would have liked. I understand the importance to the plot that  this event occurs, but it was a moment in the novel when I would have most liked to intervene.