Themes of Frankenstein
Theme of Victor Frankenstein
It is never clear why society continues to read Frankenstein, written by Mary Shelley. Hidden in the major themes, we can pinpoint how Victor Frankenstein's attempt to conquer nature, and his lack of responsibility, applies to our modern society. If the monster is a metaphor for what man is capable of, then Victor Frankenstein is a metaphor for society itself. Society has a hand in shaping mankind; Victor had a hand in shaping his creation but did not take responsibility for how he was shaped. Through examples from the novel, research, and our own personal experiences, we can find the lessons that Mary Shelley is trying to teach us. Society does play a big part in influencing how we, as human beings, are shaped. However, studies have shown that the parents or primary guardians are important influences too. Carolyn L. Scholz has stated, in her article on the subject, that: "Children do have rights, the right to be nurtured and protected, the right to learn boundaries of behavior and to expand their knowledge." She says that this is the parents' job. Victor Frankenstein should have done his job from the beginning and have taken care of the being that he had created. Alphonse Frankenstein was very sympathetic towards his son.
Parents learn how to parent from their own parents. Each generation socializes children on what is expected in the home, how to behave in public, and how to treat other people. They show by example how valued the child is as he goes through his developmental stages and the crises of life. Not all parents are equipped with the knowledge of how a child develop. (Scholz 5)
For example, Alphonse consoled Victor in moments of pain when William and Henry died, as well as encouraging him to remember the importance of family and to take control of his emotions. Emotions play a pivotal role in the development of any being. The monster "felt sensations of a peculiar and overpowering nature; they were a mixture
It is never clear why society continues to read Frankenstein, written by Mary Shelley. Hidden in the major themes, we can pinpoint how Victor Frankenstein's attempt to conquer nature, and his lack of responsibility, applies to our modern society. If the monster is a metaphor for what man is capable of, then Victor Frankenstein is a metaphor for society itself. Society has a hand in shaping mankind; Victor had a hand in shaping his creation but did not take responsibility for how he was shaped. Through examples from the novel, research, and our own personal experiences, we can find the lessons that Mary Shelley is trying to teach us. Society does play a big part in influencing how we, as human beings, are shaped. However, studies have shown that the parents or primary guardians are important influences too. Carolyn L. Scholz has stated, in her article on the subject, that: "Children do have rights, the right to be nurtured and protected, the right to learn boundaries of behavior and to expand their knowledge." She says that this is the parents' job. Victor Frankenstein should have done his job from the beginning and have taken care of the being that he had created. Alphonse Frankenstein was very sympathetic towards his son.
Parents learn how to parent from their own parents. Each generation socializes children on what is expected in the home, how to behave in public, and how to treat other people. They show by example how valued the child is as he goes through his developmental stages and the crises of life. Not all parents are equipped with the knowledge of how a child develop. (Scholz 5)
For example, Alphonse consoled Victor in moments of pain when William and Henry died, as well as encouraging him to remember the importance of family and to take control of his emotions. Emotions play a pivotal role in the development of any being. The monster "felt sensations of a peculiar and overpowering nature; they were a mixture