Frankenstein: Destructive Results of Power
THE DESTRUCTIVE RESULTS OF POWER:
DEPICTION THROUGH FRANKENSTEIN AND HIS MONSTER
A Paper
Presented to
Ms. Gray
Regis Jesuit High School
In Partial Fulfillment
of the Requirements for the Course
Honors British and World Literature
by
Alec Jotte
November 13, 2012
Topic Statement
For my paper, I have chosen to write about the theme of playing God throughout the book of Frankenstein and how it ultimately affects the person doing it. Throughout the course of the story, Victor and his creation try to take on the role of God, especially through the creation and destruction of life. I will mainly be speaking of Victor’s creating of the monster as his role as “God.” The monster’s role as “God” is mainly fulfilled through his murders, or his destruction of life. The eventual demise of both of these characters is directly stemmed from their attempts to create and destroy life. Not only are the two individuals killed due to this toying with life, but also the journey leading up to their death is all but pleasurable. From the moment that Frankenstein’s monster’s eye opened, the rest of both of their lives consist mostly of depression and pain. This pain eventually leads to a pursuit of one character after another. The two chase each other in a pattern, beginning from the creation of the monster. The monster chases Victor for a period of time, and it is not until Victor’s wedding night that the roles of the chaser vs. the chased are switched. These ideas will help with the main construction of my paper. The two main sources through which I will be drawing information to help me type this paper include Frankenstein by Mary Shelley and “What is a Monster?” by Peter Brooks. However, I do plan on going back to the databases and looking for help if I get stuck in my writing.
“When the power of love overcomes the love of power, then the world will know peace.” This quote from Jimi Hendrix coincides with one of the main underlying themes in the
DEPICTION THROUGH FRANKENSTEIN AND HIS MONSTER
A Paper
Presented to
Ms. Gray
Regis Jesuit High School
In Partial Fulfillment
of the Requirements for the Course
Honors British and World Literature
by
Alec Jotte
November 13, 2012
Topic Statement
For my paper, I have chosen to write about the theme of playing God throughout the book of Frankenstein and how it ultimately affects the person doing it. Throughout the course of the story, Victor and his creation try to take on the role of God, especially through the creation and destruction of life. I will mainly be speaking of Victor’s creating of the monster as his role as “God.” The monster’s role as “God” is mainly fulfilled through his murders, or his destruction of life. The eventual demise of both of these characters is directly stemmed from their attempts to create and destroy life. Not only are the two individuals killed due to this toying with life, but also the journey leading up to their death is all but pleasurable. From the moment that Frankenstein’s monster’s eye opened, the rest of both of their lives consist mostly of depression and pain. This pain eventually leads to a pursuit of one character after another. The two chase each other in a pattern, beginning from the creation of the monster. The monster chases Victor for a period of time, and it is not until Victor’s wedding night that the roles of the chaser vs. the chased are switched. These ideas will help with the main construction of my paper. The two main sources through which I will be drawing information to help me type this paper include Frankenstein by Mary Shelley and “What is a Monster?” by Peter Brooks. However, I do plan on going back to the databases and looking for help if I get stuck in my writing.
“When the power of love overcomes the love of power, then the world will know peace.” This quote from Jimi Hendrix coincides with one of the main underlying themes in the
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