THE DESTRUCTIVE POWER OF AMOURPROPRE: ANALYZING SELF-LOVE AND ITSCONSEQUENCES IN FRANKENSTEIN, RAPPACCINI’SDAUGHTER AND THE BIRTHMARK

Abstract

This study utilizes Rousseau’s concept of Amour-Propre or distorted self-love as a theoretical lens to analyze the destructive consequences of characters’ self-obsession in Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein and Nathaniel Hawthorne’s Rappaccini’s Daughter and The Birthmark. The research aims to uncover how the characters’ desire for recognition, lack of empathy and relentless pursuit of personal goals lead to tragic outcomes in each narrative. By exploring the characters’ actions and decisions, the study identifies thematic similarities in how self-love manifests across the texts. While previous studies have explored individual themes of ambition and isolation, this study fills a gap by focusing specifically on Amour-Propre as a unifying theory that links the works. Findings suggest that in all three narratives, Amour-Propre drives characters to prioritize personal desires over ethical responsibilities ultimately leading to isolation, death and destruction. The conclusion emphasizes that Rousseau’s concept not only connects these diverse texts but also offers insight into the psychological and moral consequences of unchecked ambition. The significance of this study lies in its contribution to understanding the pervasive influence of self-centeredness on human behavior and its tragic ramifications in literature.