Political philosopher Jean-Jacques Rousseau is often attributed to the discussion of the "noble savage" and the existence of man natural. In many literary works, the theme of the "noble savage" is predominant and persistent, providing indirect commentary to authors through the actions and development of various characters. Two such novels are Frankenstein by Mary Shelly and The Sorrows of Young Werther by Johann Wolfgang von Goethe. In both novels, Shelly and Goethe demonstrate strong romantic ideals, while developing various characters using Rousseau's myth. Shelly's Frankenstein follows a young doctor, Victor Frankenstein, who sets out to create a functioning human being. Throughout the novel, Shelly uses the characterization of Victor, as well as the monster he creates, to demonstrate the novel's roots of Rousseau's myth. In the case of Victor Frankenstein, Shelly describes an innocent Swiss boy, living with his parents, who becomes interested in scientific exploration by reading various journals of ancient scientists. Despite his interest in science, Mr. Krempe, a professor at the University of Ingolstadt, where Victor attends college, tells Victor that "every moment that you [he] lost with these books is completely and entirely wasted ". As a result, Shelly recognizes that Victor is moving away from innocence when he begins his study of modern sciences in Ingolstadt. Using his knowledge of anatomy acquired in Ingolstadt, Victor secretly begins work on a humanoid creature. After months of work, Victor's creation is complete and showing signs of life. However, the creature's monstrous appearance frightens Victor, causing him to leave his house, leaving the monster alone. The abandonment of Victor in the middle of a paper ......tic, a young man to a jealous and suicidal lover is an excellent example of Rousseau's myth. His misinterpretation of Lotte's behavior and his poor relations with the aristocracy lead to her disappearance. If Werther's sublime and natural being had not been tainted by these unpleasant experiences, he would perhaps not have suffered these alterations and perhaps would have lived. Through the sophisticated use of characterization throughout their respective novels, Shelly and Goethe create characters who are excellent examples of Rousseau's myth. of the noble savage. The changes to each character's personality and tendencies throughout the two novels are a product of the characters' environments. By incorporating Romantic ideals of nature and traditionalism into their books, both authors effectively comment on the structure and evolution of human society, while outwardly demonstrating Rousseau's myth..