Frankenstein, By Mary Shelley

Mary Shelley’s story of internal turmoil, the cruelty of altering the laws of nature, and the consequences of redefining the laws of nature is a harrowing one, known widely by many audiences, yet it is never the nature of the characters that is discussed, only the outcome. Shelley’s deliberate use of different character foils portrays the deeper connections and themes in her 1818 novel, Frankenstein. The creation and presence of Frankenstein’s monster directly foils the character of Victor Frankenstein himself, illustrating overarching themes of self inflicted isolation and internal conflict, exposing the dangers and consequences of complete and total narcissism, and revealing a truth many still refuse to accept: we, as humans, are capable

Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein has undoubtedly withstood the test of time. Frankenstein’s direct association with fundamental Gothic literature is extremely renowned. However, the novel’s originality is derived from the foundational thematic values found within the relationship (or lack there of) between Victor Frankenstein and the monster he had created, in combination with a fascinatingly captivating plot. Understandably, Frankenstein can often be associated with a multitude of concepts; however, in this particular instance, the circumstances in the book seemed remarkably coherent with Shelley’s Romantic beliefs in preserving the natural world, and one’s natural existence. These values present themselves as metaphorical symbols that

In the novel Frankenstein, by Mary Shelley, Victor Frankenstein is as much as a monster as his creation. They are related in many different ways such as the fact that they are both isolated from society. While the monster isolated from society due to his physical features, Victor is isolated from his family and of his creation of the monster.

The classic gothic novel Frankenstein by Mary Shelley details the relationship between two significant figures, Victor Frankenstein, and his unnamed monster. The critical relationship between such characters causes many literary critics to compose the idea that they are bound by nature – inadvertently becoming a single central figure (Spark). This provides provoking thoughts on the duality of mankind, revealing the wickedness of human nature. The role of the monster as an alter ego to Victor is an ideal suggestion, as their characteristics in the story consistently change; from predator to prey, depressed to angry, pitiful to cruel, these are all characteristics shared between both characters at different times of the novel. These

Find the definition of what a monster is and it means multiple things. Two definitions that are applicable to Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein define monster as an imaginary monster that is large, ugly, and frightening or; as a person of repulsively unnatural character that exhibits extreme cruelty or wickedness as to appear inhuman (Oxford English Dictionary). While both meanings differ, the latter definition seeks to give negative character traits to an inhuman monster. However, the creation of a monster should not imply that monsters are inherently cruel or wicked. The traits associated with the term monster are a construct of what people believe inhuman monsters possess. By this logic,

Using the contrasting narrations of Victor Frankenstein, the Monster, and Robert Walton, Mary Shelley displays opinionated and un-opinionated feelings towards the main roles in the story. Through Victor’s eyes, the reader may see the Monster as some corrupt, completely evil fiend. In the Creature’s views, his reasons behind being corrupt overtime becomes justified. Robert Walton, coming from an outer standpoint, understands the perspectives in an impartial, neutral way

What purpose does it serve to have multiple narrators telling a story? In Mary Shelley’s gothic novel, Frankenstein, three main narrators tell the story about the creation of a monster and the events that follow. The job of narrator shifts between Robert Walton, Victor Frankenstein, and the monster that Victor creates. As each narrator shares his own recollection of the events that occurred, new facts are introduced to put the pieces of the puzzle together. Although Frankenstein uses multiple narrators to tell the story, it is important to look at the effects it might have on the stories accuracy. In this essay, I will closely examine the motives, differences, and similarities of each narrator to see what influences, if any, they have on the narrative.

Although some critics view Victor Frankenstein as a Tragic Hero because of his one essential flaw, his overambitious desire to discover what cannot be known, he is truly a Byronic Hero by definition. Although Victor is of a higher social class than the average person and his essential flaw triumphs all of his others, he has a deeply troubled past, struggles with integrity, secludes himself away from society, and is a willful individual who seeks redemption by carving out his own path. Victor’s many, deep flaws, which often induce the reader to believe that he is actually the antagonist and the Monster the hero, and ultimate redemption in telling Robert Walton his life’s story make him a Byronic Hero.

“During my first experiment, a kind of enthusiastic frenzy had blinded me to the horror of my employment; my mind was intently fixed on the consummation of my labour, and my eyes were shut to the horror of my proceedings. But now I went to it in cold blood, and my heart often sickened at the work of my hands.” (Shelley, 178) The Romantic Movement began in the 1970’s and ended in the 1850’s. One of the key ideas shared by Romantics was that a literal and metaphorical return to nature was necessary. They believed that the individual was the most important part of society. Romantics rejected the Scientific and Industrial Revolution. They believed that cities prevented individuals from discovering the sublime. Mary Shelley’s Romantic and Gothic novel, Frankenstein, opens with a series of letters from Robert Walton, an explorer, to his sister. Throughout these letters, Victor Frankenstein’s story is told. He was born into a wealthy family, and studies at a well-known school, where he develops an interest in biology. Eventually, Frankenstein is able to bring corpse back to life. He is horrified by his creation and abandons the monster. The monster eventually kills everyone that Frankenstein loves and in doing so, he also indirectly kills Victor. The monster then feels guilty and kills himself. Frankenstein reflects the Romantic views of Mary Shelly. There are many Romantic elements in Frankenstein. There is the evident dehumanization of the Industrial Revolution. Shelley also

The creature looks into the cottage as he has done so many times before and ponders on his discoveries. He says to himself again and again What am I? Why don’t I have any friends, a family, or any human interaction? He longed for a father that watched him in his infant days and a mother that blessed him with smiles and caresses. The creature is forced to be exiled by humans and lives in the world alone. He learns about life and language by watching from afar as a result of Victor Frankenstein abandoning him immediately after giving him life. On first impression of the character Frankenstein in the novel Frankenstein, by Mary Shelley, she paints him to have lived a happy childhood that sets him up for a promising fulfilled future. However,

It is proven that our demons are struck from heaven and soar from below us. In Mary Shelley’s novel, Frankenstein, lectures about the results of an abandoned child. In the beginning of the novel the main character, Victor Frankenstein was obsessed with knowledge. Victor was thrilled to work on his new experiment, on creating life. When his project was complete it was described hideous and Victor abandoned his creation. When a child is abandoned it is natural to develop internal fear. The child has a message from abandonment making them feel useful and unwanted. If a child does not receive the protection and nurture of a parent, children will seek the answers on their own. The monster discovered how to survive, and learned different

In Frankenstein written by Mary Shelly, Victor, and the monster share similarities driven by their thirst for knowledge. It evokes powerful feelings of hatreFld against the other’s existence, eventually leading to their self-destruction. Moreover, the pursuit of knowledge causes them to live very lonely lives. Thus, Victor constantly longs for his family and friend’s affection while the monster implores Victor to create him a partner. By analyzing Victory Frankenstein and the monster’s desire for knowledge, I aim to lay bare that the two tragic characters in this novel are extremely similar to one another.

Gothic literature novels consist of mysterious and terrorizing atmospheres. Such novels often take place in desolate settings, and they have plots involving madness, outrage, and revenge. The visual settings implicate that Frankenstein is a product of Gothic Literature through the use of gloominess, scientific laboratories, and isolated settings. It is evident that Mary Shelley’s novel Frankenstein is a product of Gothic Literature through an examination of the setting, isolation, characters, conflict and Mary Shelley.

Shelley, in giving us Frankenstein as the hero of the Gothic story with its non-realist romantic and dramatic prose and science fiction roots, has given us a broken hero. This helps to ground the reader in the realist aspect of the story. Frankenstein suffers with his nerves, loves and misses his family and constantly worries for their safety. There is friendship and love and even a wedding which all make for a realistic feel. And yet for all that Frankenstein does suffer; the illness brought on by the success of his experiment, the murders of his brother and closest friend, even the death of his wife, it is difficult to remain sympathetic when he so adamantly refuses to feel even a small amount of pity for the creature that he created.

Books, written in different styles, keep up their reputation since each one gives the reader a new idea to consider. Occasionally, instead of explaining a completely new style to "propose an idea" novelists get distinct concepts from other books to help convey their ideas properly. These acquired characteristics take on a new shape. Continuing to help model the story telling process, and making the story that much more enjoyable to read. This is evident throughout Mary Shelley’s, Frankenstein, bringing elements of Romanticism, Social Justice, Psychological, Science Fiction, and Gothic styles into her masterfully crafted work. Frankenstein is a prime example of what a Gothic novel should present to its reader. From the genre’s twisted themes to a continued sense of fear and uneasiness, Frankenstein fits the Gothic model flawlessly.