The Monster’s Tragic Self-actualization in Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein

Mary Shelley’s representative work Frankenstein is the first of modern science fiction in western literature. Frankenstein, protagonist novel, abuses and creates a manlike monster. The monster cannot engage himself human society eventually goes to ruin. In light American social psychologist Abraham Maslow's hierarchical theory needs, this paper analyzes five levels needs that confronted with as he steps into society. After mastering basic survival skills satisfy his physiological need safety need, which can be categorized deficit tries meet belongingness love by observing human’s daily life, language, establishing emotional connection beings. However, indifference abandonment deprives him esteem recognition, leads devastating revenge against creator-Frankenstein. This points out monster’s self-actualization without root tragedy.