What major event occurs in Frankenstein and life when he is 17 years old?

When Victor Frankenstein is 17 years old, he experiences the death of his mother, Caroline Beaufort Frankenstein, which profoundly impacts him. This tragedy catalyzes his obsession with understanding life and death, ultimately leading him to pursue his studies in science and the pursuit of creating life. This pivotal moment sets the stage for the events that follow in the novel, as Victor's grief drives him to experiment with the creation of his infamous creature.