The definition of uncanny, according to Freud is “discussing things that appear to slip outside of normal perceptions or normal assumptions” (418). In Mary Shelley’s novel Frankenstein, Victor has an “uncanny” dream kissing Elizabeth as Shelley wrote, “I embraced [Elizabeth]; but as I imprinted the first kiss on her lips, they became livid with the hue of death; her features appeared to change, and I thought that I held the corpse of my dead mother in my arms,” (60). Initially, you would think that he was just writing about Elizabeth, but even if he was, that’s a tad bit suspicious too considering it is a form of incest since she is his sister/cousin. According to Freud, the oedipal complex is when a child has sexual attraction towards their parent of the opposite sex. In this case, Victor’s dream transitioned into him thinking his dead mother was in his arms. People say you are attracted to those that resemble your parent. In this case, Elizabeth had the closest resemblance to his mother. He unconsciously knew that Elizabeth was a substitute for his mother and she loved and cared for him just like his mother did. Everyone does this apparently and not because they choose to, but because it’s unconscious. People want the love and affection that they received from their parents and so for Victor to want and yearn for that affection, one cannot blame him. He has no control over it.
Rahma K
I love how you talk about Victor’s unconscious desire for Elizabeth in relation to his mother. I’ve always pondered on the idea that Elizabeth is strikingly similar to his mother in regards to personality, so I like how you brought that up. I think the only thing I would suggest would be to possibly include an example from the novel of how Elizabeth characteristic’s mirror that of his mother.
I liked how you mentioned Victor’s familial relationship to Elizabeth as being evidence that he desires someone who closely resembles his mother following her death. Furthermore, I found it interesting that you sympathize with Victor and come to the conclusion that one cannot be blamed for the contents in their unconscious. If this post were to be improved I believe it would be through establishing more evidence that supports the idea Victor has oedipal desires for his mother.