On September 11, 2011; terrorists from Iraq hijacked U.S airplanes and crashed them into the two Trade Centers. For days upon days, the people of America were in a state of panic as they anticipated another attack to strike near them. The collected cries of the American people caused a very on edge George Bush to declare that America is at a state of war with Iraq, for revenge for what they have done to our country. Similarly, in the book, Frankenstein, (or the Modern Day Prometheus), by Marry Shelley, both Frankenstein and his creation are driven by revenge for the things each had done toward the other. The monster blames Victor for giving him life into a society that is appalled by his looks by killing off his friends and family, while Victor seeks to destroy the monster for causing him regret and for killing off his family. Both quests eventually lead to the deaths of many people as well as themselves. It is events like this that has made me realize how revenge never really aims to solve anything; how it either fails to ultimately accomplish its goal, or by achieving victory, but causing insurmountable deaths in the process. It is not just my opinion but the opinion of professionals, for there is evidence gathered by phycologists that revenge not only effects the surrounding populous, but also the individual as well.
A common theme found in Marry Shelley’s Frankenstein is the effects revenge has on other people. For the monster himself tries to seek revenge
The reason for a decision made by “The Monster” or Victor Frankenstein’s creation, created one of the many themes “revenge”. Revenge is an interesting theme that occurs in the book Frankenstein. There are many events that occur in the story that support this theme. Revenge forms a very destructive feeling within the monster. The theme of revenge first appears when the monster was mistreated by his creator, Victor Frankenstein. The monster then was abandoned by the De Lacey family. The monster then decided to turn to revenge. The monster actions are understandable because it has been abandoned and mistreated by humanity. Revenge truly effected the monster in this novel. Revenge turned the monster into a real monster that had no feelings and made him want to destroy his creator. The monster wanted revenge on Victor because he abandoned and mistreated him. Also, Victor wasn’t a good father figure, he didn’t teach or care for his creation. “Cursed, cursed creator! Why did I live? Why, in that instant, did I not extinguish the spark of existence which you had so wantonly bestowed? I know not; despair had not yet taken possession of me; my feeling were those of rage and revenge. I could with my pleasure have destroyed the cottage and its inhabitants and have glutted myself with their shrieks and misery” (161). The monster was furious and mad at Victor from how he was treated. He asked Victor why he had lived and asked himself why he didn’t take
Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein tells the tale of a man whose entire life turns to misery after creating what he calls a monster, a demon and a fiend. However, the real monster in this story is pride and the feeling of superiority. This is evident in the novel with Robert Walton’s view of himself and his expedition, Victor Frankenstein’s attitude towards himself in comparison with the creature, and mankind’s perception of the creature and their ignorance towards him.
In Shelley’s Frankenstein, the monster commits a number of immoral acts out of rage. These actions are directly related to the monsters creation and upbringing. The burden of fault for the monsters actions rests on Victor Frankenstein’s shoulders alone.
In Mary Shelley's Frankenstein, acts of cruelty serve as the driving force behind many tragedies within the novel. Set in 18th century Switzerland, Victor Frankenstein embarks on a horrifying journey to satisfy his growing desire to create life. However, Victor and his creation are overcome by their selfish agendas and growing hatred of one another, creating seemingly endless misfortune for their selves. The enemies' constant misunderstandings of each other ultimately turn an innocent victim into an inconsiderate and hate-filled monster.
Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein, illustrates an interesting story focusing in on many different themes, but what most readers may miss, is the similarities between Victor Frankenstein and the creature he created. As the story develops, one may pick up on these similarities more and more. This is portrayed through their feelings of isolation, thirst for revenge, their bold attempt to play god, and also their hunger to obtain knowledge. These are all displayed through a series of both the actions and the words of Frankenstein and his creature.
In the novel by William Styron, a father tells his son that life is a “search for justice” (Styron). In the gothic novel Frankenstein by Mary Shelley the Creature is on a constant search for justice. The Creature is shown to be inherently good, but due to the corruption in society and traumatic experiences by those the Creature sought acceptance from he slowly loses his moral compass. Shelley, in the novel Frankenstein demonstrates the search for justice through many social situations and characters. Shelley connects the Creature’s search for justice to the hardships he faces throughout his life.
In this Essay I shall explore the reasons for Victor Frankenstein’s emotional turmoil in chapters 9 and 10 and look at how some events in Mary Shelley’s life mirrors some events in the book. I will also look at a few of the themes running through Frankenstein. Such as religion, parenting, hate, revenge, guilt and compassion.
How important is the theme of justice in Frankenstein. Refer closely to the creation scene and Justine's trial scene. Justice is defined as justice is the administration of law; especially : the establishment or determination of rights according to the rules of law or equity which can be interpreted as adhering to laws of both a natural and civilised level. In Frankenstein many of the fundamental laws of both humanity and the world we live in are broken. Creation in he Christian faith is a marvel that only one being or person has the right to control.
Humans are known for bestowing their judgment irrationally and based on the “book cover” of a person, they may degrade their fellow human into the worst positions of the social ladder. Mary Shelley, in her novel Frankenstein, expands on this perspective by using mood and tone to parallel with the circumstances of an event occurring in her novel with shifts throughout the context of the book, symbolized by the changes in nature and seasons. This shift is made frequently between the agonized, desperate, frightful, maybe even suicidal mood and tone with the occurrence of dreadful acts of murder and execution, to the more calming, soothing, optimistic and life-full during a physical and spiritual recovery.
Dictionary.com states that revenge is “to exact punishment or expiation for a wrong on behalf of, especially in a resentful or vindictive spirit.” The novel, Frankenstein, and the play, Hamlet, are two works of literature that revolve around the notion of revenge. The main conflicts of the stories are Prince Hamlet attempting to avenge the murder of his father and Frankenstein’s monster hunting down Victor Frankenstein for abandoning him in an empty and lonely existence. The novels use other themes to tie together the underlying theme of revenge, such as death, madness, and learning and “un-learning.”
Like most horror stories, Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein has a wretched monster who terrorizes and kills his victims with ease. However, the story is not as simple as it seems. One increasingly popular view of the true nature of the creature is one of understanding. This sympathetic view is often strengthened by looking at the upbringing of the creature in the harsh world in which he matures much as a child would. With no friends or even a true father, the creature can be said to be a product of society and its negative views and constant rejections of him. Although this popular view serves to lessen the severity of his crimes in most people’s eyes, the fact remains that the creature is in fact a cold-hearted wretch whose vindictive nature
In today's world, vengeance is still in existence, bubbling below our calm facade, waiting for the catalyst it needs to break loose. Evidence can be seen right now in the reactions of the American people towards Bin Laden. He destroyed so many lives, and now, there is probably not one American that would not love to get their minute alone with him. The American people want to hurt him the way he and his followers hurt their fellow Americans, their family. This hunger for vengeance is completely Dionysian and is found in more than one written work.
In Greek mythology, the titan Prometheus used clay to create the first man, in the image of the gods. He gave mankind the tools to live by teaching them to read, hunt, and heal the sick. Prometheus was a bit of a trickster too, as he tricked Zeus, supreme ruler of the gods, to accept low-quality offerings from humans, and as such, Zeus took fire from man. Prometheus, disagreeing with Zeus’ decision, returned fire to mankind. Thus, as punishment, Zeus sentenced Prometheus to be chained to a rock where a bird pecks at his liver every day. Since Prometheus is immortal, he regrows his liver only to have it removed again. Similarly, Victor Frankenstein artificially creates life, and in doing so, defies the natural order of life (and god). As Prometheus is chained to a rock, Victor Frankenstein is slowly tortured by his creature. He is tormented as the Creature kills everyone he loves in order to enact revenge upon Frankenstein. Mary Shelley uses irony in Frankenstein’s punishment as well as the development of the characters in order to add dimension.
Mary Shelley’s novel discussed extreme measures and actions that are relevant today. The issues that Victor and the book’s other characters deal with symbolize many of the situations we as humans go through in real life. Consequences and persistence are themes in Frankenstein that can be connected to problems of our nature. Frankenstein’s determination to create new life through the manipulation of science is what resulted in the monster’s rising. Today, people are so driven to act upon things such as fame, success, or power that they will do anything to achieve their goal. Sometimes people only see their goal and don’t keep in mind the drawbacks that may occur if they see nothing else.
Out of resentment Frankenstein aims to harm his creator, Viktor Frankenstein, by murdering those close to him. Frankenstein’s monster would strive to murder innocent people closest to Frankenstein as revenge for abandoning him and for his grotesque appearance. His lust for revenge is further exploited when Frankenstein breaks his promise of creating the monster a partner, therefore the monster retaliates in vengeance by murdering Elizabeth “leaving a murderous mark of his grasp on her neck” (Shelley, 242). The monster’s murderous intent is fueled by his lust for revenge against his creator. Blaming Frankenstein for all of his misfortunes, such as his horrific appearance and not relieving him of his solitude by not granting him a partner. Revenge forged Frankenstein’s monster from a compassionate giant to a vengeful monster. Dracula and Frankenstein’s monster share the same attribute that all monsters possess which is murdering innocent human beings.