In her novel Frankenstein, Mary Shelley explores a wide range of themes concerning human nature through the thoughts and actions of two main characters and a host of others. Two themes are at the heart of the story, the most important being creation, but emphasis is also placed on alienation from society. These two themes are relevant even in today's society as technology brings us ever closer to Frankenstein's fictional achievement.…
Shelley’s Gothic novel, Frankenstein, explores the complex nature of mankind by considering the consequences of an unrestricted pursuit of science. A rise in scientific experimentation with Galvanism during Shelley’s time is reflected through the protagonist Victor as he uses it to bestow life. Shelley portrays Victor and the Creature as complex beings, demonstrating both inhuman and human qualities. Despite this, the subsequent rejection by his creator and the De Lacy family drives the Creature to ‘eternal rejection and vengeance of mankind’. Victor’s initial response when meeting the creature, demonstrates his savage, cruel treatment and lack of responsibility towards his creation.…
Frankenstein is a book written in the early 1800’s that references technology that is just now being created. These technologies present the human race with a multitude of ethical issues that would not even have been thought of when this book was written. However, most are brought up throughout this book. Other ethical issues that have to do with this technology are also prominent in the story, although most of them originate from the creation of the monster. The monster is created by Frankenstein and it kills some of his close friends and family, but the retaliation by the monster stems from Frankenstein abandoning it after it was created.…
In this novel, Victor Frankenstein is a scientist that has a very strong passion for how the human body is put together. His passion quickly turns obsessive when he starts pondering around the idea of making a human from scratch. He locks himself away in his apartment so no one can see what he is creating. One night when the creation was finished, Victor brought the monster to life. The looks of the monster terrified Victor and he abandoned it. Throughout this story, the monster teaches himself different skills and also does a lot of horrible things that Victor Frankenstein should take the blame for since he is the creator.…
In Mary Shelley’s novel, Frankenstein, she attempts to bring to light the dangers and the amount of responsibility a then new-found age of scientific exploration and discovery could bring to the table. When Technology and Power are used for self-beneficiary reasons, the process in which man tries to move forward with their pursuit of knowledge becomes complex, ending in the corruption of the self. In his attempt to make life, Victor unleashes a ‘Monster’ unto the world, oblivious to the responsibility it comes with. Being ignorant to this, and believing it to be a mere monster, he rejects any responsibility, sealing their fate in death.…
Frankenstein, written in 1818 by Mary Shelley, is a novel written in a narrative structure and in the characters’ point of view which makes more easy and understandable for readers to know the characters’ feelings and thoughts. The story illustrates how the main character Victor Frankenstein, falls into a total destruction due to the usage of his superficial knowledge to play God by creating an abhorrent monster. As a result of his imprudent behavior, the monster undergoes a lot of hardships such as loneliness and ignorance which affect its life hugely. By the halfway of the novel, the monster tells Victor how lonely and sad it is compared to Adam who is the first creation of God. The monster’s speech manifests how appearance has a significant…
“As science is more and more subject to grave misuse as well as to use for human benefit…
The novel Frankenstein, by Mary Shelley, is written about a man Walton who goes on a journey to the North Pole. Walton’s ship becomes trapped in ice, and this is where Walton sees two men dog sledding. One man, who looks very frail, is invited onto Walton’s ship. The man, who goes by Frankenstein, shares Walton his story how he built this monster. This monster, angry at Frankenstein, kills all his loved ones in revenge for creating him. A main theme in this novel is the struggle between human morality and whether the monster is naturally evil or was it his decisions that caused him to act evil. This is a major concept discussed by two Enlightenment Philosophers John Locke and Thomas Hobbes.…
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…
Frankenstein by Mary Shelley, travels along with the two main characters, Victor and his abomination of a creation, through their trials and tribulations against each other . The controversy of who is to blame for the tragedies that take place, has been an ongoing debate for centuries since the publication of the book itself. The author of a “WriteWork” article states, “...the events that occurred are that repercussions of one man's irresponsible and reckless behavior” (WriteWork). This author has taken the side of the monster and throws the blame and ridicule towards Victor Frankenstein, the mad scientist. However, another article by “The Art of Manliness” gives their opinion of Victor, “...as an intelligent and physically astute being” (The…
The human mind is something scientists have been trying to comprehend forever. Science can not alter how the mind communicates with one’s body, or even how it works. Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein uses the creation of a fake being to emphasize the fact that the human mind cannot be altered or replicated effectively. Dr. Frankenstein thought he would be able to create and control the mind of a creature. He had tried many times, but to no avail. After talking with a professor, he finally figured out a way that he would be able to complete what he had been trying to for years. But does Frankenstein pass that natural boundary placed before us by our peers? To create life, a being with its own mind, had never been done before. What are the consequences of his actions and was it truly worth it to go beyond those limits?…
Victor Frankenstein wanted to become this eccentric scientist who conquers death in bringing eternal life to mankind by creating a different form in his vision. With him using his knowledge as power to portray God, Victor never asks himself if he should, but only if he could. In the book of Frankenstein, Victor Frankenstein claimed to be creating the monster for the betterment of humankind. He did it out of arrogance, or out of a desire to become like God. Victor not only created life, but destroyed many by becoming the monster that he created through his sinful attempt to be God to only fail by abandoning his creation.…
Victor Frankenstein’s demise stemmed from his infatuation with the balance of nature and science. Even as a child, Frankenstein longed for answers that no one could give, “ I confess that neither the structure of languages, nor the code of governments, nor the politics of various states possessed attractions for me. It was the secrets of heaven and earth that I desired to learn” (28). From that moment Victor’s fate was determined, and his pursuit for these answers soon became an obsession with playing God. However, moments after the birth of his creation, his entire deanor shifts; he suffers remorse, “breathless horror and disgust filled [his] heart” (51). This horror only worsens with his later encounters with the monster and the knowledge of the several murders of his most beloved. Victor Frankenstein gave life and now longed for…
The creature created by Victor Frankenstein was very vicious and evil as described in the story. The book creates an image of the creature as a monster that murders people close to Victor. The monster is actually a victim of an injustice taking place. The creature understands that in his life there is no justice, he tries to make himself perfect in order to change his injustice, and the willingness of searching for fairness gives the story a sense of inspiration and life lessons.…
After a certain period of time passes, the creature mentions his strong desire for love. He eventually approaches the cottagers he was watching and the only person home was the blind father. The blind man accepts him into his house and displays a glimpse of love to the monster.…
