preview

Essay Reader's Sympathies in Mary Shelley's Frankenstein

Good Essays

Reader's Sympathies in Mary Shelley's Frankenstein "Frankenstein" a gothic horror, written by Mary Shelley in 1818, can be interpreted as a subtle autobiography; whose narrative reflects on the characters throughout the story. It was written at the time where the Romantic period replaced the age of reason, the time where dreams and ideas replaced logic and science. The two main characters in the story, Victor and the monster are used as metaphors for this. Shelley uses them to make social and personal comments about the time when the book was written. Shelly's mother died only nine days after her birth. At the beginning of the novel, Victor's mother dies and Safia also has no mother. Walton's diary …show more content…

Victor's parents bestowed love and affection on him. By the end of the novel, Victor is considered to be a bad person who lacks human qualities. This quote does not relate to Shelly's childhood, as she did not have a happy one as it was plagued with misery. The monster however brought himself into the world by nature. After Victor deserted him immediately after his creation the monster was left to look after himself. Unlike Victor he was shown no examples or given any rules. Part of the debate at the time the novel was written was which was better: nature or nurture. After being abandoned by Victor and rejected by society, the monster flees to the woods and brings himself up by learning from nature the elements, senses and English language: "I found a fire and was overcome with delight at the warmth I experienced from it. In my joy I thrust my hand into the live embers, but quickly withdrew it again with a cry of pain" As the monster had no one to teach him he did not know about fire and was surprised when it burnt him; he learnt from nature. At first, the monster

Get Access