Category: Frankenstein

Introduction

Mary Wollstonecraft Shelleys novel Frankenstein or The Modern Prometheus addresses conventional romantic themes like isolation and beauty of the nature and one can find that the novel discusses the ultimate pain of lose. It is often considered as a humanistic critique of technological development or new scientific inventions. Personal tragedies and sufferings of the author are visible in the novel. The death of her three children at a very early age haunted her to the end of her life. Relationship and loss ply a vital role in Marry Shelleys novel Frankenstein. Marry Shelleys novel requires building up of relations. Comparing with PB Shelleys play Prometheus Bound a reader can find similarities. Calling for freedom and relationship are common in both stories. The relation between Prometheus and Asia gives a new light of romance and marvel in P.B Shelleys play Prometheus Bound. The thirst of emotional and sexual reunion in the midst of unending sufferings leads the reader/audience to the world of aesthetic pleasure. Both P. B. Shelley and his wife Marry require the existence of marital relationship. Casual reading of the novel Frankenstein leads the reader to think that the story Frankenstein is a marriage argument.

Main body

Marry Shelley connects the theme of relationship especially marital relationship to the major events of the story. Entire story explores the physical and emotional sufferings of the three major characters Walton, Frankenstein ad the Monster. From Waltons work reader can find the heroic generosity of man to accept or provide partnership. In case of Frankenstein and the Monster reader can feel the cry for love and companionship. The writer reveals the message of love and companionship through her characters. The unnamed Monster in Marry Shelleys novel demonstrates the childlike innocence and the realization that he is different from human being haunted him severely. Even the Monster cannot overcome the trials and tribulations of isolation in earthly life. Like a small child it cries for a mate or partner for sharing its feelings. Famous literary critic George v. Griffith criticizes: childlike in his innocence, the monster wants only to be loved, but he gets love from neither his father nor from any other in the human community. (Griffith). The Monster tries to read and learn and it reveals his strong desire to become a human being. It falls in love with the family, children and peasants. But, no one is ready to accept it because of its barbarous look. The reader can see the most destructive and devilish figure of the creature and it swear to seek out his creator in order to find out why he is diverse from other people and demands a mate. Analyzing Freuds psychological theory one can see that, the need for sexual satisfaction is the base of human body. When ever it is rejected from love and consideration the creature becomes violent and it kills Victors youngest brother, William. Its cry for a mate to share its solitude or frustrated thoughts forced it to kill Victors wife Elizabeth. Frankenstein in due course makes a mate for the creature but kills her in fear because of the trouble that the two creatures might produce. The creatures desire to make relationship is very clearly depicted in the novel Frankenstein. After killing the boy; the Monster removed the necklace from the dead body and fixes it on the breast of a sleeping girl named Justine.

Literary critics have often mentioned that, the Monster in Marry Shelleys novel is the reflection of Frankensteins inner thoughts and dreams that reveal his unending thirst for love or to be loved. His dreams have Elizabeth in her full beauty with a sudden frozen face of his mother His severe pain and sufferings are visible in his words. Frankenstein cries; I shunned the face of man; all sound of joy and complacency was to torture me (Shelley 71).

As an individual in a well educated society Marry Shelly, demonstrating a contemptuous evaluator of the science of her day, which was against the family and the human relationships. Analyzing Victors inner conflicts and the creatures unending thirst for love and relationship; one can feel that the novel is a marriage argument. Authors unsuccessful married life, her husbands tragic death and the unexpected loss of her children made the reader to think about the theme of marriage and family relationship in the novel Frankenstein.

Frankesteins loneliness and isolation is one of the conquering themes in the novel. This theme explored through the feelings and expressions of three characters. In the beginning, the reader can see that Victor feels extreme fear and anxiety and he leads a life without his family. The presence of family members can change the emotional and physical appearance of a man. Frances Ferguson argue that; A womans going forth from her fathers house and cleaving to her husband is, of course, the standard means through which a new family is created and continued. (109). Frankenstein continuously yearns for escape from the world of deep, fearful, deathlike seclusion.

A desire of the Monster in Frankenstein for a life partner, we can consider it as the central theme that establishes a universal legitimacy. The heavenly marriage concept provides a foundation for a firm life according to every living being. It is an institution that makes social recognition; the Monster in Frankenstein felt loneliness like a man without any friend in the world. A person fulfills many psycho- physical aspects through the marriage or with a partner that is helpful for the existence and meaning of the life.

Tragedies faced during her life time are the environment that made here a Monster in her Frankenstein. A life without marriage or a partner is the horrible condition that is understood by the misfortunes of the Mary. In the online article entitled Identity Issues in the Life and Fiction of Mary Shelley; Sherry Ginn makes some relevant studies about the autobiographical elements and the argument for marriage in the novel Frankenstein. It remarks; While Mary made quite a statement with Frankenstein about the problems arising from lack of family relationships and parental abdication of responsibility, it is doubtful whether she consciously meant to indict her own father for his treatment of her in childhood. (Ginn). Authors perceptions about personal tragedies and thirst for a structured family life reflect her in novel and a reader can find authors conscious effort to demand marriage and family relationships.

In case of Shelleys Prometheus unbound one can feel the pain of isolation and separation in different surroundings. Shelley pictures the character of Prometheus as a great hero who serves his life for human being. In Act two of the play, reader can see the most romantic scene that the meetings of Prometheus, Asia, Ion and Panthea. Here, Shelley celebrates the alteration of heart in Prometheus by signifying that his protagonists discovery of love generates its confirmation throughout the entire world. Asia rose from her cave in the Caucasus and flowing to join her beloved husband. Shelley explains their reunion as a celebration of the entire universe. His Wifes presence motivates Prometheus and he regains his vigor and passion. The study entitled Shelleys first major lyrics

And prometheus unbound by Ratomir Risti comments that; Supported by Ione and Panthea, the incarnations of hope and faith, he endures all the sufferings. (79). Prometheus undergoes a kind of spiritual and emotional transformation through his meeting with his wife and others. Analyzing Marry Shelleys novel Frankenstein the need for sexual or emotional reunion gives a kind of regeneration. The Monsters thirst for the mate and affection along with Prometheuss regained power underlines the significance of relationship or marriage.

Conclusion

To conclude, Mary Wollstonecraft Shelleys novel Frankenstein or The Modern Prometheus provides a rare aesthetic pleasure for the readers and it discusses various topics such as isolation, defectiveness of scientific developments, presence of nature and human relations. The characters of Victor Frankenstein and the Monster reveal the unending thirst for love and relation. Emotional and physical union regains power and passion. The Monsters violence and Victors loneliness underlines the need of relationships; especially family relations. Comparing with P.B Shelleys play Prometheus Bound, one can see that Prometheuss regained power after his union with Asia and the Monsters unending revenge against his creator demonstrates the importance of relationships, especially the marital affairs. Therefore, one can reach at the conclusion that Mary Wollstonecraft Shelleys novel Frankenstein or The Modern Prometheus is a marriage argument.

Works Cited

Ferguson, Frances. Solitude and the Sublime: Romanticism and the Aesthetics of Individuation. Routledge, 1992. Print.

Ginn, Sherry. Identity Issues in the Life and Fiction of Merry Shelley. NC: Wingate, Wingate University. Web. 2010.

Griffith, George V. Frankenstein (Criticism). Answers.com. 2010. Web.

Ristic, Ratomir. Shelleys First Major Lyrics and Prometheus Unbound. University of Nis: The Scientific Journal Facta Universitatis 2.7 (2000): 69-86. Web.

Shelley, Mary Wollstonecraft. Frankenstein or, The Modern Prometheus. Harvard University: Sever, Francis, & Co, 1869. Print.

Frankenstein is one of the greatest books of the nineteenth century that remains relevant today. Shelley explores many topics in her work that reflect social and philosophical aspects. In particular, the work refers to the problems of opposing nature and humanity, as well as the issues of ambition and blind faith in ideals. However, the theme of motherhood and human origins occupies a special place in the book. While Victor strives to design an artificial creature that would honor him as a creator, he also experiences alienation. The death of his mother, who was for Victors moral orientation, greatly influenced him, probably making him regret his attitude towards her. Despite his immense passion for science, emotional isolation and frustration with parenting force him to immerse himself in the creation of a monster.

One of the main themes of the book, which supports all other focuses, is the theme of ambition. Already in the first letter, Robert Walton states: I preferred glory to every enticement that wealth placed in my path. This motif can also be seen in his other letters, which emphasize how important recognition and ambition are to him. In the context of other topics of the book, this aspect can be viewed as the leitmotif of the entire work. In particular, the pursuit of fame is the engine for scientific discovery and the transformation of society. At the same time, such a passion for their ambitions leads characters to tragic consequences and also isolates them from society. It is also important that it completely replaces all other aspirations, as well as connections.

However, this desire to acquire unsurpassed power is a delusion since it assumes that neither Victor nor Walton is aware of flaws. This approach in the future leads to monstrous consequences that overthrow the characters from a height. Despite their belief in their power, Victor and Walton have weak and faulty natures. Victor turns out to be the creator of a monster that does not live up to his ideals and aspirations. At the same time, Walton is forced to abandon the continuation of the quest to the North Pole, losing his glory. This factor shows how unstable it is and how idealistic it is. At the same time, the characters are completely confident that they are right and are not aware of the possible consequences of their decisions. For example, Victor devotes his life to creating a monster, after which he is forced to fight it. Thus, he must eradicate his views and ideas, realizing their falsity.

Victors aspiration to create life also illustrates the theme of opposition between nature and man. In particular, in conjunction with the idealism and notorious flawless of his ideas, the book refers to nature as a perfect system. In this respect, Victor views himself as a creator and God, and Frankenstein as an ultimatum creation that must surpass all the achievements of nature. However, when the experiment does not give the desired results, it is confirmed that man is hardly able to create something as perfect as nature.

Taken together, these themes lead to another significant focus that Shelley presents in the book. Striving to transcend nature, as well as false ambition, result in the desire for superior knowledge. Even more, Victor strives for infinite knowledge that can potentially provide him with access to the secrets of the perfect creation. However, this shooting overshadows all other values in the life of a scientist, not allowing him to lead a full life. Victor becomes obsessed with his creation, which he refers to as his child. This factor identifies to what extent social values have been replaced by idealistic ones in his consciousness.

This aspect emphasizes Victors alienation from society, in particular from his family. These facts form the theme of the family, which is significant for the book. Shelley illustrates the absence of the mother through the characters, as well as through the creation itself and Victor. In particular, the female mother characters in the book have extremely short lives. For example, Victors mother, an orphan, died of scarlet fever when she was nursing Elizabeth, who is later killed by a monster. Victors desire to create a creature that does not need pregnancy and birth is his denial of maternity. He notes: a new species would bless me as its creator and source. Thus, he emphasizes that a child cannot be completely grateful to his parents because he does not consider himself created by them. On the contrary, a man-made creature will be completely subordinate to the creator and be grateful for his work.

The death of his mother has a strong influence on Victor since she was the only example of right and wrong for him. She played the role of some kind of moral limiter and guide, which the scientist lost after her death. Victor notes: I need not describe the feelings of those whose dearest ties are rent by that most irreparable evil. This shows that his mother represented him with an emotional connection with reality and society. The scientist comes to the idea of creating a creature after the death of the mother, which is some kind of desire to meet the need for maternity for him.

The death of his mother and immersion in work on the creation of the creature is also determined by Victors isolation from society and family. At an early age, Victor leaves his family to develop his scientific interest, which arose in his childhood. He also does not have close contact with them and does not carry out communication, which underlines his priorities. Thus, the process of his alienation from the family and society gradually begins, which later will result in the creation of a monster. Victor chooses solitude rather than being forced to be in it. He even set his laboratory in a solitary chamber, or rather cell, as the top of the house. He spends all his time there creating a monster and further separating himself from society.

These aspects make it possible to judge that Victor is experiencing deep emotional trauma and strives to eradicate it through science. He believes that parenting is not a sufficient means to create a perfect child. Perhaps in this situation, there is a certain self-reflection since Victor himself is an ungrateful child. He pursues his goals by completely abandoning the family, but at the same time, he wants to achieve reverence from the monster he created. Perhaps in this situation, his scientific aspirations are not only the desire for the perfection of knowledge, as well as fame, but also the desire to refute his nature. He realizes that he, as a man created by nature, is defective and does not correspond to his idealistic views.

In general, these themes make it possible to define the broader focus of Shelis work, which is to show the impossibility of refuting the order of nature. The book illustrates how blind faith in science and the pursuit of its great achievements can be a source of disaster. The main reason for this result may be the direct delusion of people who do not value the natural system enough. Shelley emphasizes that the desire to change the order is not healthy and has dire consequences. The desire for resistance results in emotional trauma and isolation. At the same time, the monster is a personification of the internal conflict of Victor, who at first completely delved into his ideas but was later forced to abandon them.

Frankenstein presents the reader with many topics that are linked by one common goal. Through the ambition and blind faith in the science of the characters, Shelley illustrates their vices, which characterizes them as natural creatures. The desire to create a man-made creature, on the contrary, shows Victor as an idealist who seeks to change the existing order. In this situation, his human nature, which does not allow him to make accurate predictions and fully determine the consequences, made his mission impossible. The death of his mother, which was the catalyst for his passion, also shows his emotional connection with other people. This aspect also characterizes him as an imperfect social being. Thus, the book discusses important aspects of the characters internal conflict, which is also an illustration of more global processes.

The feeling of loneliness is one of the worst inner states. It makes people weak and helpless. Everyone tries to spend most of his time in communication and movement. The novel Frankenstein reflects the characters who got used to living in loneliness during their whole life. Their life is constant resistance to isolation and fights with abandonment and loneliness. The novel Frankenstein written by Mary Shelley combines different elements from various periods of art development; it reflects features from the Romantic Movement and Gothic period.

The author managed to illustrate the deepest feelings and emotions reflected in the main characters. It is important to stress that the basic theme of the novel is considered to be the illustration of loneliness and desolation following the main characters lives during the whole story. Mary Shelley wanted to highlight the atmosphere of complete isolation from society, the pain of loneliness living in the hearts of the main characters.

The author provides the reader with the complete description of every character and allows sympathizing with them to evaluate their behavior and actions. Mary Shelly describes the inner state of every character underlining all the details of their worrying and despair. It should be stressed that the main idea of the novel was to show the theme of loneliness and the problem of a real friendship observed in the text. Walton, Victor, and the Creature wanted to make a real friendship. Walton strived to make a friend from Victors body while Victor wanted to create a friend from dead parts.

Begone!& There can be no community between you and me; we are enemies (Shelly, 1995)

This shows the isolation of the Creature from society, his loneliness, and social misunderstanding. The author wanted to underline the fact that the Monster has never felt like belonging to anyone in the whole world.

Mary Shelly managed to show the gradation from loneliness to violence; the contradiction of these two feelings inside the main characters of the novel. She illustrated how relations between Victor and the Monster resulted in destruction and violence in their mutual interrelations. The Monsters desire to destroy everything and bring only harm to society helped the doctor to understand his mistake of creation. His desire to avoid loneliness and make a real friend resulted in a huge mistake created by Victor. It should be noted that the novel reflects the feeling of isolation throughout the whole story. Thus at the very beginning, the author showed Robert Walton who had no one in the world; only letters from his sister helped him to resist the cruelty of the world, the painful feeling of loneliness and abandonment.

Robert Walton is a typical embodiment of a lonely person who has no one in the world, whose life runs in vain, and does not belong to anyone.

I have no friend. Even when I am glowing with the enthusiasm

of success, there will be none to participate my joy;

if I am assailed by disappointment, no one will endeavor

to sustain to me dejection. (Shelly, 1995)

The author illustrates that this character is not abundant by society and has a lot of people to communicate with, but his soul feels lonely. Walton realizes that he has no real friend and cannot share his troubles and happiness with anyone. He strives to see this only friend in Victor but failed& (Bennett, 2000)

Isolation is also demonstrated in the description of the Monsters life and that of Victor. These two characters contradict each other. The Monster who was created to fight loneliness brings more troubles and misunderstandings. Victor created one more personality that was destroyed by loneliness. The author managed to stress the fact that very often people strive to belong to someone and depend on a real friend. Thus, Victor wanted to create a person for the real friendship but instead of this, he made the Monster who felt isolated as Victor did.

The analysis of the novel provides the idea that the story is completely associated with the authors life. Three narrators who felt loneliness and lived in their small worlds are the embodiment of the writers heritage, personality, and future. The novel Frankenstein is based on the authors vision of the society and interrelation between the people. She tried to depict all the life mistakes resulting in isolation, destruction, and loneliness. The author wanted to avoid such actions in her own life; she always wanted to save herself and her family from the state of being lonely whatever the cost and this novel is the reflection of her mind and fear of isolation and abandonment. (King, 1999)

The novel Frankenstein is considered to be autobiographical by many critics. The theme of loneliness was the central one not only in the novel but in the life of the author. Mary Shelly contributed to her work all the efforts, feelings, and emotions; she managed to transfer her family life episodes and sufferings in the story underlining the pain of abandonment.

The character of the Monster is very often compared with the biblical first man Adam. It should be noted that the creature made by Victor reflected the same features as one can observe in Adam. The Monster was individual, unique, and alone. One can see a certain level of biblical parallelism between these two characters though there are some differences. Adam was not created to be alone, he was provided with a companion and was supported by God, his creator, and farther. Speaking about the novel Frankenstein, the Monster was to be lonely from the very beginning and the feeling of isolation followed him from the day he was created. Attitude towards Adam and the Monster is quite different.

Abhorred monster! Fiend that thou art. (Shelly, 1995)

Victor shouted at his creature developing feelings of oddness and isolation. But the Monster was not responsible for his loneliness while Adam was punished for his actions and behavior. Victor never took any responsibility for his creature and the Monster felt that he had no place in the heart of his creator. In the case of Adam, God was completely aware of the responsibility he took for his creature; he wanted to make the embodiment of love and respect in the character to avoid selfishness and unfairness of the world.

The creation of the monster can be compared with the image of Eve who was aware of the consequences of her actions as well as Victor did. Knowledge of the dangerous events that resulted from the committed actions was underlined in the description of both characters, Eve and Victor. They were the creator of their fate and of those who surrounded them suffering the consequences. (Davidson, 2007)

The author illustrated the cruelty of the world in which her characters lived. She demonstrated that all the three narrators made the atmosphere of loneliness by themselves and only they were responsible for their isolation. The characters of Mary Shelly never gave love and care to each other; they lived in their morality but strived to get usual friendship and somebodys attention and understanding. The theme of loneliness is closely associated with human moral values in society.

The author wanted to underline the fact that interrelations within any social group should be regarded as something important, as a kind of treasure. Mary Shelly managed to show how ignorance can influence our life and what it can lead to. Three different fates were interwoven by one common problem  the problem of being lonely and abandoned.

It is important to underline the fact that the novel Frankenstein sponged a lot of ideas from different biblical literature works and real acts of life; it can explain why the story is so involving and quite close to life. It allows examining the life of the author and feel her emotions reflected in the story. The narrators strive for happiness during the whole story and are eager to find this happiness in each other. But they only alienate each other by their attitude and moral make-up.

Thus, as it was shown from the analysis of the novel Frankenstein written by Mary Shelly the central problem of her narrators lives was the problem of loneliness. Robert Walton, Victor, and the Monster were considered to be strong characters but having a weak inner state. All the three males wanted to reach the only thing in the world  they strived not to be lonely, isolated from the whole world. Mary Shelly drew a line between biblical images of Adam and Eve and her characters underlining vivid similarities between them. The author managed to show that moral values of the society should be concentrated on mutual respect and friendship; otherwise it can lead to violence and cruelty among people.

References

Bennett, Betty T. and Stuart Curran, eds. Marry Shelly in Her Times. Baltimore: Johns Hopkins University Press, 2000.

Davidson, Chris. Frankensteins Monster and Miltons Satan. Frankenstein. 2007.

King, Linda. Mary Shellys Career Decision in Frankenstein. University of British Columbia. 1999.

Shelly, Mary. Frankenstein. Norton Critical Edition. pp. 352. 1995.

The Perilous Pursuit in “Frankenstein”

When divine lighting hits a tree, it never grows back the way it once was; It will always grow back rather anomalously and abnormally. In Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein, Doctor Victor Frankenstein epitomizes the struck tree. Frankenstein pursues the idea of knowledge, validation, and accomplishment but ultimately and inadvertently imposes pain and suffering on those around him. Through the resulting affliction, Shelley develops her truth that the pursuit of knowledge does not lead to glory but to inhumanity and torment.

Dashed Expectations and the Tragic Hero

When creating the Monster, Frankenstein is motivated, so much so that he is infatuated; it is evident that his seemingly revolutionary project incites a sort of excitement inside him, and it gives him some sort of worth. Nonetheless, when his creation is brought to life, he is completely appalled by his appearance, saying, “My heart palpitated in the sickness of fear.” With the abrupt transition of his ego, Shelley continues the idea of a tragic hero. The disdain that he shows for what came from his own mind shows that the pursuit of higher knowledge personifies the tragic vision of having such high expectations for himself, only to be let down.

Ripples of Desperation and Pain

During his pursuit of knowledge, Frankenstein and his creation also impose distress on others. The Monster murders William out of revenge, leaving his family to mourn the loss of their young relative. The destructive path left by Frankenstein’s Monster shows the incomprehensible pain that is brought upon others. The persistent quest for knowledge furthers Shelley’s concept of a tragic hero by allowing the actions of Frankensteins’ desperate quest for knowledge to spread, only emphasizing his contempt for himself over searching for validation and knowledge in the first place.

From Obsession to Desolation

After realizing the pain his Monster has caused, Victor goes hunting for his Monster to rid the world of the pain he has caused and to redeem himself. His obsessive hunt leaves the doctor sick and ultimately kills him. The failure of his hunt and his resulting death exemplify the inevitable pain that is brought upon by pursuing knowledge and eminence. Shelley proves through his tragic death that the quest for greatness results only in isolation and self-induced agony.

A tree that has been struck by “divine lighting” never grows back the way it once was.
Through death, pain, and discontent, Mary Shelley proves that otherwise selfish quest inevitably results for everyone involved, and with this, an overarching theme is created.

References:

1. Shelley, Mary. “Frankenstein; or, The Modern Prometheus.” 1818. Project Gutenberg. https://www.gutenberg.org/files/84/84-h/84-h.htm

Ethical Relativism and “Frankenstein”

Ethical or moral relativism is a theory that is used to describe the way of thinking that morality is relative to the norms of one’s culture, meaning that action is wrong or right depending on the moral norms of the society it is being practiced (Santa Clara University). Though this is a common belief, many disagree and say there should be no overlapping between right and wrong.

In Chapter 16 of Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein, the monster murders his creator’s youngest brother as a result of prolonged rage, and many readers are conflicted with this situation, as some people sympathize with him and justify his actions. This tells us a lot about humanity’s moral intuitions. It is common that we tend to sympathize with others and mold our decisions in a way to satisfy both our feelings and morals, often placing our emotions above others. How does Frankenstein help us understand our perception of wrong and right? In this research paper, I will explore this topic adequately. To do this, I will navigate through Mary Shelley’s thought process in Frankenstein, as well as draw knowledge from other books and articles.

Intuitive Judgments and Their Implications

Intuitions are instinctive. We have our intuitions on everything almost immediately; say we hear a woman fatally injured a man and instinctively condemn her as a bad person in our head. If later we hear it was done in self-defense, we eventually deliberate on the case and ‘understand’ her situation better. So, intuitions are just quick judgments, in essence. Drawing from that, many people who have never read Frankenstein still know of this creature since it is one of the most famous monsters in literal history. However, many adaptations have contributed to the misinterpretation of the monster as a frightening being.

The Complexity of Frankenstein’s Monster

In the original novel, the monster is much more complex than you may think at first glance. I am not going to justify his actions but explain why I think it is understandable to sympathize with him. He is responsible for many violent actions throughout the novel, even going outside the chapters we discussed in class. At the same time, he goes through a lot of rejection and struggles with loneliness. He wants to be accepted but is alienated by basically everyone he meets. This explains his violent actions and makes him a sympathetic character in the novel.

Humanity Beyond Physical Appearance

When the monster is first introduced in the novel, he is described as something hard to look at, saying he had “flowing black hair and white teeth juxtaposed with his shriveled face and straight black lips” (Chapter 5, Shelley 1818). Victor was not the only one terrified of the monster on sight. When the monster encounters Felix, he beats him with a stick, Safie runs away, and Agatha faints. As you can tell, he did not have a good beginning with any other character in the novel. The characters, though, are not wrong for being scared of the monster; his size and grotesque nature are enough to throw anyone off. At the same time, when the monster narrates the story from perspective, the readers see a whole new side.

From the beginning of his life, he had no one to help him and was alone in the forest. While in the forest alone, the monster appreciates the beauty of nature and lives a rather humble life living off the fruits around him. In addition, he observed the De Lacey family and tried to learn from them and mirror their kind nature. When he realizes he was contributing to their poverty by shortening their ration of food unknowingly, he says, “I abstained [from taking their food] and satisfied myself with berries, nuts, and roots” and assisted their labor by “bringing brought home firing sufficient for the consumption of several days”. In addition to his natural kindness, he also is intellectually capable of learning their language and reading books.

Although the monster has a human side and is seemingly good, people cannot look at him past his physical nature. He is rejected by everyone he meets. The monster craves the love of other human beings as well as his creator, who betrays him by failing to create a female companion for him. All his negative emotions drive him to kill those closest to his creator just so Frankenstein can feel how he is feeling. The monster wanted Frankenstein to know what it’s like to be all alone in the world. Again, these killings cannot be defended, but his perspective allows us to know what led him to it.

References:

1. Santa Clara University. “Ethical Relativism.” Philosophy and Ethics.
2. Shelley, Mary. “Frankenstein.” 1818. Project Gutenberg.
3. Bicknell, Jeanette. “Moral Intuitions and Philosophical Ethics.” Oxford Scholarship Online.
4. Fischer, John Martin. “Frankenstein: 10 possible meanings.” The British Library.
5. Gubar, Susan. “The Monster’s Human Nature.” The New York Times.
6. Johnson, Ross. “The Misunderstood Monster | Alan Cumming & Ross Johnson | TEDxNatick.” TEDx Talks.

Comparing Outcasts: Frankenstein and Edward Scissorhands

In Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein and Tim Burton’s Edward Scissorhands, both characters have been put in a place where they both don’t fit in and are rejected in many ways. They’re different from everyone else and are scary and vulnerable. Edward Scissorhands was accepted before he was betrayed by a group of high school kids that were bullies. After Edward came out from his hiding place, everyone welcomed him. Sadly, Frankenstein, the Monster, didn’t get the same treatment. Instantly after being created, he was rejected first by the man who created him.

Unlike Frankenstein, Edward had a chance to fit into society and live a normal life. Frankenstein never was given a chance because nobody would take the risk of talking to him because he was big, scary, and ugly. Frankenstein and Edward both are betrayed after they put their trust in people to do the right thing, which doesn’t work out like they hoped and thought. Another similarity is the way that the two stories end with them both being sad and all alone. Both creations are discriminated against in the way that they look. These two were just looking for acceptance and someone that they could call a friend who wouldn’t judge them or mistreat them.

Childhood Impressions and Character Sympathies

It’s sad reading about these characters because they got so mistreated. Before I read Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein, I never imagined how dark it’d be. I’m always so used to reading the Kiddie version, which is brighter than the original. I also find it surprising how similar Frankenstein and Edward are. I remember being young and watching the movie Edward Scissorhands and crying because I got so sad that the kids left him behind, and he took the blame for breaking into the house. I don’t think he had a clue about what was going on.

Kim, the daughter of the woman that was hosting him, had feelings for him even when she had a boyfriend. On the night they left Edward behind, Kim was trying to save him. It made me mad that Kim’s boyfriend Jim had his group and Edward break into his own house and then lick him in a room he can’t get out of. To me, that’s so messed up because Edward didn’t know any better. He was just learning people skills.

Darkness of Frankenstein’s Tale

Frankenstein, on the other hand, was much darker than Edward Scissorhands. Victor felt bad for his creation, and he ended up started making his significant other. Then he stopped, and Frankenstein didn’t like that. so he decided to kill Victor’s wife so he could feel the same pain. This shows that Frankenstein doesn’t have the right people skills. He even kills victors’ little brother, William. I also feel like, therefore, Victor shouldn’t mess with life and death.

The Desire for Acceptance

At least Edward’s scissors hands never meant any harm to anybody and were always nice, even to people that didn’t deserve it. So, a difference between these two creations is that one has sympathy and empathy while the other was just so neglected and mistreated he didn’t know right from wrong and did what he wanted. In conclusion, Edward and Frankenstein have similarities when it comes to wanting to be accepted and looking for a friend and company.

References:

1. Shelley, Mary. “Frankenstein; or, The Modern Prometheus.” Project Gutenberg, www.gutenberg.org/files/84/84-h/84-h.htm.
2. Burton, Tim, director. “Edward Scissorhands.” 20th Century Fox, 1990.

Weather Imagery in “Frankenstein”

In chapter ten of Thomas Foster’s book, ‘How to Read Literature Like a Professor,’ Foster discusses that rain or weather conditions are never just about the weather condition itself; there is always another purpose behind the use of this technique. Mary Shelley, the author of Frankenstein, uses this technique throughout her writing of this novel. For example, Victor says in chapter three, ‘It was a most beautiful season; never did the fields bestow a more plentiful harvest, or the vines yield a more luxuriant vintage: but my eyes were insensible to the charms of nature.’ This quote demonstrates the dissimilarity between what Victor is creating and nature itself.

Moreover, because Victor is creating something unnatural, he is becoming oblivious to the natural world around him. In other words, he is separating himself from reality. In addition, Shelley uses lightning to foreshadow upcoming events. For instance, Victor expresses, …vivid flashes of lightning dazzled my eyes, illuminating the lake, making it appear like a vast sheet of fire. This quote foreshadows the presence of the monster as evil and dark. Mary Shelley uses this technique to demonstrate foreshadowing, to emphasize emotions, biblical references, and more.

Symbols of Light and Revenge

Foster explains that most pieces of literature are going to contain symbols. As readers, we should always be on the lookout for symbols to better understand the story. In Mary Shelley’s novel, light and revenge is the most common symbol. Victor Frankenstein states, ‘Life and death appeared to me ideal bounds, which I should first break through, and pour a torrent of light into our dark world.’ Shelley emphasizes this symbol of light to demonstrate that Victor feels more powerful and that he believes that his creations will bring light into the already dark world but in the end, this will just cause more darkness.

Meanwhile, this quote, ‘You can blast my other passions, but revenge remains revenge, henceforth dearer than the light of food! I may die, but first, you, my tyrant and tormentor, shall curse the sun that gazes on your misery, demonstrates that revenge is very important to the monster. Victor is no longer interested in this scientific creature. He is ready to sacrifice his life to have a normal one. There will always be symbols in literature, but sometimes they will not be right in front of you. We, as readers, have to pay attention.

The Significance of Geography in “Frankenstein”

Geography is used in literature to develop a character and helps to better understand plots and themes. In Frankenstein, geography is important in many aspects. Victor’s hometown, Geneva, Switzerland, is the beginning foundation of the plotline and development of Victor as a character. Victor grew up here and returned after college as well as where the murders of William and Justine took place.

Victor, as a young boy living in Geneva, was eager for knowledge, ‘I was capable of a more intense application and was more deeply smitten with the thirst for knowledge.’ Moreover, Victor states in Chapter 3, ‘I will pioneer a new way, explore unknown powers, and unfold to the world the deepest mysteries of creation.’ This quote relates to geography because it foreshadows the creation of the monster in Victor’s laboratory in Ingolstadt, Germany, where Victor attends college.

Geography symbolism allows readers to see things from a different perspective. The seasons in literature represent different things. Foster spoke about that in his book, ‘How to Read Literature Like A Professor.’ The author of Frankenstein uses this technique by using words that demonstrate one of the four seasons. For example, this quote, ‘… while the happiness I hoped for in my marriage wore a greater appearance of certainty, as the spoken of as an occurrence which no accident could possibly prevent’, represents summer. Summer is known to signify romance (marriage) and happiness (the hope for happiness).

Once a reader obtains the knowledge of what each season signifies, it will be easier to pull those ideas out of literature. Shelley also uses words to signify Autumn. For instance, this quote in chapter six, ‘Know that, one by one, my friends were snatched away; I was left desolate. My own strength is exhausted’. The words in this quote that signify Autumn are tiredness/exhaustion.

Tales of Creation: Greek Mythology in “Frankenstein”

Foster speaks about Greek Mythology and why it is referred to in literature. Mary Shelley uses Greek Mythology in a large aspect in Frankenstein. First, the full title of her novel is actually Frankenstein or The Modern Prometheus. Prometheus was known for bringing mankind knowledge/power, and enlightenment. He created man and gave fire. This relates to Frankenstein because Victor creates the monster and seeks knowledge/power. For example, Victor says, a new species will bless me as its creator and source; many happy and excellent natures would owe their being to me.

Victor creates something that gives him power, but on the other hand, it takes knowledge to create. In addition, Frankenstein says, ‘The world was to me a secret, which I desired to divine. Curiosity, earnest research to learn the hidden laws of nature, and gladness akin to rapture as they were unfolded to me are among the earliest sensations I can remember. This quote shows a desire for learning as well. Victor has a strong passion, as Prometheus did as well. Foster said the myths are seen as untrue, but they are actually the shaping and sustaining power of a story and symbols, as shown in Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein.

References:

1. Foster, Thomas C. “How to Read Literature Like a Professor: A Lively and Entertaining Guide to Reading Between the Lines.” Harper Perennial, 2014.
2. Shelley, Mary. “Frankenstein; Or, The Modern Prometheus.” Oxford University Press, 2008.

Introduction

Frame narratives can simply be understood through an illustration of an onion: a literary device that features a story within a story, at times within yet another story. Peeling the onion, one might say. In Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein, this structure in literature reaches out to the hearts of each individual character and their specific frame of the novel, echoing in search for something meaningful at the core of the plot. The principal frame of Shelly’s novel is Captain Walton’s letters to his sister Margaret, and it is within his writings that the two “sub-frames” told by Victor Frankenstein and his creature make an appearance. Shelley uses the frame narrative to give alternative perspectives and to highlight the correlations between Victor and Walton with their passions for science and isolation.

Captain Walton’s letters serve as a great asset to the ultimate frame narrative by being the first frame of the novel. It is in his letters that Victor Frankenstein and his creature tell their perspective stories and through which their stories gain relevance. The most prominent character in the novel, Victor Frankenstein, narrates the second frame and discusses his adversities in his decision to make such a Creature—who narrates the third frame. Frankenstein states that Walton “seeks for knowledge and wisdom just as I Victor did”, giving the two characters similar traits and motives while developing Walton to be a character that will listen and gain meaning from the inner framework stories of Frankenstein’s (Shelley 18). The similarities between Frankenstein and Walton connect the first two frames while the creature’s perspective story cuts the border between the ‘monstrous’ creature and that of his creator, Frankenstein, in the third frame where readers hear about its origins. The individual stories of these characters go hand-in-hand to create a greater narrative guided by the connections written in Walton’s letters.

The distinction linking the way in which Victor frames the end of his story and the last bit of spirit that Victor brings into Walton’s frame displays the power of the frame narrative technique in creating a complex reading of the novel’s components and the truth behind the characters. When Victor Frankenstein petitioned for the search and destruction of his creature, Victor declared to the public that he was responsible for “turning the monster loose upon society” and takes the responsibility for himself to fix the situation by “devoting himself, either in his life or death, to his [the monster’s] destruction” (Shelley 164). This sudden change from Victor’s prior turndown to “confess himself guilty” of the first of his creature’s killings because seemingly this confession “would have been considered as the ravings of a madman” seems to display a switch in understanding too (Shelley 62). In this scene, Victor Frankenstein describes his misfortunes and acknowledges his wrongdoings by making a personal decision to fix his mistakes. This self-effacing attitude matches the lively commitment of revenge to create an identity of Victor that shows not only that he has learned from his mistakes, but also that he intends his background and story to be used as a warning.

Captain Walton gives a conflicting view of Victor Frankenstein in his last few letters. Although Victor uses his frame narrative to defend his behavior and convince readers he has, in fact, changed, Walton describes Victor Frankenstein’s views on Walton’s crew, criticizing them for “[shrinking] away” and attempting to leave behind the “glorious expedition” that Walton has accepted (Shelley 177). This motivation of aspiration and the underlying theme of “search for knowledge” displays that Victor Frankenstein has not been reformed as he believes. His overwhelmingness causes him to enter a state of lassitude, “almost deprived of life”. This display of the damaging consequences of the ambition that Victor carries provides a more transparent message than what Victor Frankenstein could develop through his own frame narrative (Shelley 177).

Mary Shelley’s frame narratives act as sources in which the readers are able to judge the effectiveness of the characters’’ narratives and develop a connection to the underlying themes in the novel. Walton mentions that the letters Victor gave and the glimpse of the monster “brought to me a greater conviction of the truth of his narrative than his Victor’s asseveration”, proposing that the truth and fiction of Victor’s narrative were indistinguishable (Shelley 172).

Yet, when the creature, Walton, and Victor Frankenstein’s body come together in the principal frame, Walton grasps, at last, the truth of Victor Frankenstein’s story in addition to the damage and mistakes that label it.

Walton’s reaction to the creature was not one of disgust, but rather one of “a mixture of curiosity and compassion” (Shelley 182). The sources of desire and interest that Walton feels in that moment illustrate the tension created by the two frames that Victor Frankenstein and his creature hold, one carrying the monstrous-like creature and the other of a creature of humanity. Regardless of the promise Walton makes to Victor, Walton allows the creature to “spring from the cabin-window” and be “borne away by the waves” (Shelley 186). This scene connects the two frame narratives and Walton seems to favor the creature’s frame over his creator’s, proposing that Walton thinks the Creature will “ascend his funeral pile triumphantly” and remove himself from the world (Shelley 186). The creature seems to disrupt Walton’s narrative, in some way shape, or form, causing Walton’s ambition to interfere. This interruption could be explained by Walton’s search for knowledge as he immediately sees the damaging consequences of this creation. Shelley writing Walton as the principal narrator allows him to shrink from the other frame narratives after analyzing them, in regard to the novel’s narrative technique and in terms of Walton’s personal decisions in the plot of the novel. Rather than dealing with Victor Frankenstein’s creation at the end of the novel, Walton goes back home and abandons the creature and everything he stands for.

Conclusion

The layered structure of the novel is best interpreted by peeling each skin back to reveal the story underneath, similar to peeling an onion. This is part of the nature of reading, as each story gives way to another, readers feel themselves approaching a greater truth that lies at the core of the novel. It is a force that pulls readers into suspense a well-known characteristic of the Gothic literature era. The stories of Frankenstein and the creature become, through Shelley’s artistic style of writing, Walton’s story. The outer layer of the frame narrative is taken over by the letters of Captain Walton to his sister, which discuss his concerns with Victor Frankenstein. As the frame narrative progresses inwards towards the core of the novel, readers are able to get insight into Frankenstein’s background. Frankenstein takes up the story for Walton’s benefit before the dark heart of the process is revealed to be the creature, who tells his story to his Creator. The creature, a result of the lonely, lost Victor Frankenstein represents the dark consciousness. Captain Walton, who is isolated at the North Pole, is the subject who has not yet experienced the inward progress to the extent that Victor Frankenstein has had with his creations. Ultimately, it can be established that Shelley employs the frame narrative to mirror the examinations of Victor Frankenstein and his creation and how the two characters’ voices merge into the single narrative voice of Captain Walton.

While there are many differences between Frankenstein by Mary Shelly and “Paradise Lost” by John Milton, there are plenty of things to compare. Both the authors write about the major struggle between good and evil. The characters in both Frankenstein and “Paradise Lost”, have similarities such as God and Victor to the devil and the monster. God and Victor are similar since they are both creators of life. The devil and the monster are similar because they are both cast out by their creators.

In Frankenstein, the beginning Victor’s life seems to be like any normal child’s life. His family is known to be the most prominent family in Genevese. There was a lot of pleasantness in his childhood such as Milton’s portrayal of the Garden of Eden in “Paradise Lost” before Satan emerged. As the beginning of both stories starts off alike, you start to see the similarities in the characters. In Frankenstein Victor is known as the creator of “the monster” and in “Paradise Lost”, God is the ultimate creator of Satan, Adam, and Eve. Victor from Frankenstein contains the power such as God does to create life, but Victor differs from God by creating life through science. He gives life to things that were once nonexistence which soon develops in him having a God complex. Though Victor is a creator like God, he seems more of a non-loving or non-caring God. Victor is more of a fallen God since he does not care to love or watch over his creations like God in “Paradise Lost”. That is where the two differ in being creators.

The monster and the devil are cast out by their creators. The devil was cast out because of wanting to become like or more powerful the God, and the monster was cast out since his creator did not care about him. When the monster in Frankenstein gets his hands upon a satchel of books, one of them being “Paradise Lost.” The monster expresses “Many times I considered Satan as the fitter emblem of my condition, for often, like him, when I viewed the bliss of my protectors, the bitter gall of envy rose within me.” (Shelley, Chapter 15). The monster compares his dilemma with Satan’s, cast out of heaven for jealousy of those who relish in Heaven’s triumph. Like Satan, the creature realizes the benefits his handlers have been born human and not being created as he and Satan were

There are similarities between Adam and the monster as well. As Adam and Eve were tempted by knowledge by eating fruit from the forbidden tree when they were not supposed to, the creature discovers how to read as he thirsted for knowledge. In both stories, it leads to catastrophe. In Adam and Eve’s case, the result leads to them being banished from the Garden of Eden into the real world. The creature is lead to the truth of his creation in Dr. Frankenstein’s journals about him being created. When the creature finds out about his discovery he is devastated: “I exclaimed in agony, ‘Cursed creator! Why did you form a monster so hideous that even you turned from me in disgust? God in his pity made man beautiful and alluring, after his own image, but my form is a filthy type of your’s [sic], more horrid from its very resemblance.”

The feeling of rejection is overwhelming here. Adam and the creature were both rejected by their creators and cast out of their aura. Both are sheer versions of originals. Both feel that lack of greatness in their creation. Both feel insufficient and rejected by the one who should love them most since they created them.

Many can also say Victor is like Satan. Victor playing God compares to Satan from “Paradise Lost”, in which Satan is an archangel banished from heaven his arrogance, and his desire to become God. Like him, Victor attempts to become like God and be a creator and ruler of life. This success, Victor envisions, will be an improved one, and the lively and admirable beings that he will create will bow down to him and honor him like he is the most worthy father.

Like in “Paradise Lost” Satan, Victor is an unruly character who believes in his own invention and has the courage to aim higher than his constrained human form permits. Nevertheless, Mary Shelley does not represent Victor’s acts as positive or commendable. Victor’s curiosity and ambition do not contribute to any scientific progression or social growth. Instead, he demolishes a family and, metaphorically, fills the world with monstrous fantasies.

Whenever “Paradise Lost” is mentioned in Frankenstein. Eve seems to be left out. She seems to be a forgotten character from “Paradise Lost”. The non-existence of Eve is seen when the monster demands Victor for a female companion. The monster speaks of Adam and the “fallen angel” but does not mention Eve. Although Eve is not mentioned in Mary Shelly’s novel, there is a feminine aspect. The females are simply not courageous characters. This is because they are not the reason for any of Victor’s ideas. Unlike in “Paradise Lost’, where Eve was the chief cause of ideas. In “Paradise Lost”, Adam fell because of Eve’s troubling actions. The entire antonym is the cause of the fall in Frankenstein. The monster was lonely and without a female companion, and that is why he did outrageous things. Not having a companion is what caused the monster’s fall.

Both Frankenstein by Mary Shelly and “Paradise Lost” by John Milton is different in many ways but so much alike in character personalities. Besides the noticeable moments mentioned in Frankenstein when Mary Shelly refers to “Paradise Lost”. Many of her characters seemed to correspond with Milton’s. God and Victor are much alike in their creator qualities. The monster and Satan are similar in relations that their creators both rejected and cast them out of their presence. Mary Shelly has done fascinating work on modifying Paradise Lost and matching it into a long-lasting narration of fallen workforces who play irreverent roles.

Mary Shelley’s 1818 Gothic novel Frankenstein or The Modern Prometheus is a portrayal of her own societal views displayed by Victor’s relentless search for knowledge. Victor Frankenstein leads his own conquest in search of the Godlike power to create life. His obsession alienates him and leaves him in desolation. In this essay, I wish to identify and display Shelley’s views of society which leads her character, Victor, to be used as a warning for how destructive the ruthless pursuit of knowledge can be.

Throughout her life, Mary Shelley was surrounded by death and loneliness, her mother died days after giving birth, her father was emotionally distant but access to his extensive library allowed her to become well educated, her first child with her husband Percy Shelley died prematurely, her half-sister committed suicide, Percy’s previous wife drowned herself and their one-year-old daughter Clara died of dysentery. Following the completion of her Novel Frankenstein, their three-year-old son died of malaria, Percy drowned himself then when Lord Byron died, and in 1824 she was completely alone. Mary’s tragic fate left her isolated and lonesome just as Victor, the character she created, was. She may have to project her own feelings into the character and while she was in pursuit of knowledge of self, Victor’s is more ‘removed’ even though its origin is in love. Victor is drawn deeply, “Of what a strange nature is a knowledge! It clings to the mind … like a lichen on the rock” (p. 123). In 1815 after her first child had perished, Mary wrote in her journal on March 16, “Dream that my little baby came to life again; that it had only been cold, and that we rubbed it before the fire, and it lived.” She wished that she could have to power to undo the death of her child, if only it was irreversible, she believed she would be happy. The longing for someone who has passed leaves one secluded and unhappy with any other company. Victor is discontented with his accomplishment once the monster is created. He is unsuccessful in befriending the creature leaving him isolated without his previous friends and family and his own creation does not even accept his companionship.

Mary alludes to multiply myths throughout the course of her novel. She uses an extract from the 1660’s poem ‘Paradise Lost” by John Milton which tells the story of how Satan was banished from heaven for wanting to be all-powerful like God and leading a rebellion against him. “All my speculations and hopes are as nothing; and, like the archangel who aspired to omnipotence, I am chained in an eternal hell,” Victor recalls this extract when he comes to the realization that, though he gained the almighty knowledge to create life, the tragic fate that he now awakes to leaves him alone and banished from heaven as Satan was. Frankenstein was given the secondary title of The Modern Prometheus. In Greek Mythology, Prometheus was a Titan who stole the knowledge of fire from the Gods to give to man which he was punished for. In resemblance to this, Victor discovered the secrets of life itself and attempted to present it to all of mankind but God punished him by taking away all that was precious to him such as his bride, family, and his creation.

When victor created his ‘son’ he wished to love and care for him but as punishment, he turned to disgust towards his creation. Mary uses this comparison to threaten the consequences of defying the laws of nature.

Frankenstein paved the way for science fiction novels, often thought of as the first of its kind and the scientific achievement shown can now be seen in modern-day bioengineering, biomedicine, or biotechnology (Van der Laan, J. M, 2010). The time in which Mary Shelley wrote her novel was one of the great scientific discoveries in the way of bringing the dead back to life. In the preface of the 1831 edition of Frankenstein, Mary mentions ‘galvanism’ as a stimulus for her work. Scientist, Luigi Galvani made the discovery of the power that could be harnessed from electricity in order to revive a no longer living creature. While dissecting a frog he realized that when he struck it with a current, a shock ran through making the leg twitch. An extract from the preface of the 1831 edition reads: ‘Many and long were the conversations between Lord Byron and Shelley to which I was a devout but nearly silent listener. During one of these, various philosophical doctrines were discussed, and among others the nature of the principle of life, and whether there was any probability of its ever being discovered communicated’. Evidence supports that Mary and Percy Shelley had believed that death was reversible. Percy wrote about their son William’s illness stating ‘By the skill of the physician he was once reanimated after the process of death had actually commenced, and he lived four days after that time.’ Although this was seen excited and useful discovery in the way of saving lives, Mary warns though that with the wrong intentions or a crazed mind behind the wheel, all can go terribly wrong.

Walton is in contact with Victor through letters while he voyages to the North Pole in conquest to exceed prior human expeditions. An incident leaving him wedged between sheets of ice brings him to the realization that he has reached his limit. Any further going in his pursuit for the North Pole would surely lead to his death. Walton learns from Victor’s tragic fate how destructive the pursuit for knowledge is and draws back from his dangerous expedition. We hear directly from Walton rather than a retell by Victor because Shelley shows us a man we cannot trust while he’s losing his humanity.

Frankenstein serves as Mary Shelley’s warning for society on the detrimental effect the dangerous quest for knowledge can be. Victor serves as a fine example of how this hunt can be destructive not only to the person themselves but the whole of society. Throughout history, to the present day, there have always been somewhat selfish people who strive towards their personal conquests with no concern for the consequences it may have on humanity.