preview

How Is Mary Shelley Used As A Foil To Frankenstein

Decent Essays

Mary Shelley genially wrote Frankenstein. A book that has been re-told a countless number of times, a story that almost every child heard as they grew up, becoming almost an American tradition. Various aspects of the story even though fiction were reflections of Mary Shelley’s personal life. Shelley uses tragic and shocking events to develop her characters. The symbolism she uses is that of what happens in the world at all times, mirror images of our true society. Shelley’s writing was odd for her time period.
Mary Shelley was the daughter of famous authors. Mary Wollstonecraft was one of the first feminists which reflect somewhat in her female characters. Growing up in Europe it was only natural she base the book about somewhere she …show more content…

“I am by no means indifferent to the manner in which whatever moral tendencies exist in the sentiments or characters it contains shall affect the reader…. ” (2). The Monster serves as a perfect foil to Frankenstein. Making one almost feel pity for Frankenstein, when in reality Frankenstein deserves nothing less than what he receives. Mary Shelley has perfectly executed the purpose of the Monster as a foil, as Miguel Cervantes uses Sancho Panza for Don Quixote De La Mancha. Their are many likes, as their are differences between Frankenstein and the Monster.

In creating the Monster Victor Frankenstein tried to portray the role of God, in which he inevitably wanted the Monster to think as he did. In the short time that the monster lived it's life resembled that of Victors in certain aspects. They both were isolated from society either by choice of forced. The Monster due to his lurid appearance was thrust into a hovel. Victor had a very unique outlook on the world, secluding himself so that he could create the Monster. Loneliness for both Victor and the Monster affected their lives greatly. Elizabeth was what gave meaning to Victor’s sad life, at any point of depression he just thought of her. The De Laceys were a family that in a parallel form were related to the Monster, both were outcasts of societies. The tragedy of both the De Laceys and the Monster came to be over good intentions. “God in pity made man beautiful

Get Access