Prometheus, according to Greek mythology, was the Titan who created mankind. A task given to him by Zeus, he was to create human beings with clay and water in the image of the gods. Prometheus taught man to read, heal their sickness, and to hunt. Zeus kept fire from mankind but Prometheus stole the fire from Zeus and gave it to the humans against direct domands. Zeus then punished him by fixing him to a rock of Caucasus where each day an eagle would peck out his liver, only for it to grow back the next day because of his immortality as a god. Prometheus was also a myth told in from clay and water against the laws of nature. Much like Victor and his creation of man against the laws of nature, in which they both end up punished for their creations. Prometheus and Frankenstein are similar in many ways, such as their actions and results of creating humans. But they are also very different in personality.…
When two contrasting personalities are juxtaposed, it often results in the illumination of distinctive characteristics of the personalities, reflecting the theme of a literary work. In Frankenstein, by Mary Shelley, Victor Frankenstein and The Monster are an example of this. As a foil to Frankenstein, The Monster exhibits personality traits that greatly contrast those of Frankenstein. The portrayed sensitivity in the monster contrasts the selfish behavior as Frankenstein; his harsh ways are highlighted by the compassionate ones of The Monster, and the rationality shown in the dialogue involving The Monster shows how irrational Frankenstein can be, all relating to the theme of the need for a balanced life.…
Victor Frankenstein becomes an outcast along with his monster because of society and his obsession with work.Victor isolates himself away from others in order to create his monster. Being…
The pursuit of knowledge is at the heart of Frankenstein, as Victor attempts to surge beyond accepted human limits and access the secret of life. Likewise, Robert Walton attempts to surpass previous human explorations by endeavoring to reach the North Pole. This ruthless pursuit of knowledge, of the light (see “Light and Fire”), proves dangerous, as Victor’s act of creation eventually results in the destruction of everyone dear to him, and Walton finds himself perilously trapped between sheets of ice. Whereas Victor’s obsessive hatred of the monster drives him to his death, Walton ultimately pulls back from his treacherous mission, having learned from Victor’s example how destructive the thirst for knowledge can be.Monstrosity…
Mary Shelley is a timeless novelist who is known for her complexity and symbolism. In this passage from her classic novel Frankenstein, Shelley uses several techniques to depict the monsters emotions during his first experiences of life. She uses rhetorical devices such as personification, symbolism, and tone to allow the reader to understand exactly what the monster is feeling.…
The novel Frankenstein by Mary Shelly tells the story of an obsessive scientist who pursues to defy nature and create unnatural life. Victor Frankenstein attends a university where he is introduced to natural philosophy and soon after becomes consumed with a project replacing all ties to the outside world and those closest to him. When Frankenstein succeeds in bringing life to an inanimate body he is set back immediately by the botched creation he has made. Without a word from the creature, Frankenstein throws a tantrum and ultimately abandons the brand new life he started. As the creature struggles on the search for love and compassion, he encounters continuous rejection because of his distorted appearance and is driven further into isolation…
A theme of indifference and rejection from society clearly persists through the film Mary Shelley's Frankenstein, directed by Kenneth Branagh. After Victor Frankenstein, the main protagonist, realizes that reanimation is a tangible reality, a domino effect occurs which in turn alienates not only himself but also his creation from society. The reality of the creature's existence is so gruesome that one begins to understand the negative effects that alienation can have on one's own self-perceived identity. In fact, this estrangement from society perpetuates a downward spiral for the creature as he develops a mind that is unadulterated by moral behavior while also nurturing a strong desire for revenge. Not only does Frankenstein leave the creature to fend for itself, but society rejects it as well. The alienation from all of his surroundings, and his creator feeds the creature's desire for vengeance, ultimately resulting in the deaths of every that his creator Frankenstein held dear to his heart.…
Emotional and physical isolation in Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein are the most pertinent and prevailing themes throughout the novel. These themes are so important because everything the monster, Victor, and Robert Walton do or feel directly relates to their poignant seclusion. The effects of this terrible burden have progressively damaging results upon the three.…
In the novel, Frankenstein, Mary Shelley introduces to us two characters whose stories contrast each other. Victor Frankenstein, an intelligent man, born into a loving family - and the Creature, rejected and lonely from the beginning. Yet, Shelley shows us how two very different perspectives can still be similar in different…
How do people change in times of crisis and tragedy? In the novel "Frankenstein" by Mary Shelley, Victor learns a lesson in thinking before acting. Before creating the monster, he only cares about his studies and is relatively happy. After his creation, his studies become his phobia and his creation (which, while constructing him, used to be his love) became his tormentor. In the end, he learns his lesson and stops himself before committing the same mistake again. In creating life, one learns to live life a little wiser.…
In Frankenstein, Shelley warns of the dangers of isolation. For example, after Victor fled his own apartment, and meets up with Clerval, Clerval notices “how very ill” Victor appears, (Shelley 52). Clerval picks up on one of the dangers of excessive secrecy: sickness. It could be homesickness or an actual treatable disease. When one is isolated from loved ones, or any kind of human contact, one starts to think and act in a way that is considered unnatural. One begins to become an outcast, ever increasingly distant from the rest of society. Once this has occurred, one’s priorities begin to get disarrayed: Victor “promised [himself] both [exercise and family communication] when [his] creation should be complete,” (Shelley 47). Victor should have been exercising and writing to his family, instead of devoting all his time to his creation. But, the farther he went into his studies, the harder it became for him to stop researching, and experimenting. He was even depriving himself of sleep: when Clerval noticed “how thin and pale” Victor seemed, Victor responded withan explanation of “not allow[ing] [himself] sufficient rest,” (Shelley 52).…
In Frankenstein written by Mary Shelley, Victor Frankenstein purses a great thirst for knowledge resulting in his own demise. Frankenstein sought power and and was therefore punished for his curious mindset, eventually dying of exhaustion attempting to track his monstrous creation after it had killed Victor's loved ones.…
Throughout the novel Frankenstein, author Mary Shelley clearly illustrates the moral of the story. God is the one and only creator; therefore, humans should never attempt to take His place. Literary critic Marilyn Butler sums up that we aren’t to tamper with creation in her comment: “Don’t usurp God’s prerogative in the Creation-game, or don’t get too clever with technology” (302). Butler warns that as humans, we should never assume the position of God. As Victor Frankenstein takes advantage of his deep scientific knowledge, he is punished for taking his experimenting too far.…
In her novel Frankenstein, Mary Shelley gives a new meaning to revenge. It is illustrated in such an intense way. Viewed back and forth from Frankenstein’s and the creature’s perspective. Showing them fully consumed in their revenge, by being driven by it, getting their loved ones killed, and ultimately destroying them. Frankenstein’s and the creature’s revenge leads to their destruction.…
Criminal defense lawyers sometime get a not-so-flattering portrayal because people assume that they defend guilty people. However, if you are a defendant in a criminal proceeding, you need the assistance of a qualified criminal defense lawyer, regardless of your guilt or innocence. As the protectors and advocates of the accused, defense lawyers play a pivotal role in the United States justice system to see that everyone charged with a criminal act has an opportunity to defend themselves.…