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Theme Of Creationism And Evil In Mary Shelley's Frankenstein

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In the novel, Frankenstein, Mary Shelley begins with a quote from Paradise Lost, an epic poem, about Original Sin, otherwise known as the Fall of Man. This quick excerpt reminds the reader of the biblical tales of Genesis—the creation of man and woman and their inevitable downfall. Right from the start, Shelley introduces the idea of creationism and destruction, although opposite, neither can exist without the other. Everything created, must be destroyed. These two themes are manifested by Frankenstein’s monster. A monster created, just to later be destroyed. First, let’s go back to the story of Adam and Eve. While living in the Garden of Eden, the only rule was not to eat from the tree of knowledge of good and evil. But the two disobeyed, gaining knowledge only known to God. Consequently, Adam and Eve were punished to a life of suffering and mortality. So, this tale, brings the question: What makes us human? Is it our knowledge of good and evil? Our mortality? Our emotions? If one has all the above factors, then does that make up a human? If we follow the biblical rules, then yes. The ability to die is what differentiates humans from God. Now, what about Frankenstein’s monster? He was created, just like Adam. His father banished him, just like Adam. And he needed a partner, just like Adam. With these similarities, does the monster mirror Adam’s image? By analyzing specific passages from the text, in which the monster displays human characteristics, we will be able to
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