Frankenstein

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Introduction
"Frankenstein" by Mary Shelley
"Frankenstein; or, The Modern Prometheus" is an 1818 novel by
Mary Shelley. 'Frankenstein' is one of the most famous gothic
novels in the English language. The story is based on a ghost tale
told by Shelley when on holiday at Lake Geneva with her future
husband Percy Shelley and poet Lord Byron.
Although 'Frankenstein' can be rightly described as a gothic novel,
it also belongs to the 'Romantic' genre, and has been argued to be
one of the earliest examples of science fiction. The work is not
only a political commentary, arguing against the dangers of
challenging the natural order (as Shelley felt the French Revolution
had done), but also was based on the work of early scientists.
Shelley was writing at a time when electricity was first becoming
understood by scientists. Early experiments involved using
electricity to seemingly bring back life to dead animals. It
appeared as if science would soon be able to create life.

Historical context
The French Revolution of 1789 had begun a process that
had involved the killing of the French king, Louis XVI. Many
British figures felt that this was an attempt by the French
people to upset the natural order of society, and that too
much change too quickly would be dangerous. Shelley
was worried that scientific experiments would make man
think that he could play the role of God. The book has the
subtitle of the modern Prometheus; Prometheus is a
character from Greek mythology who stole fire from the
Gods and gave it to man. Prometheus symbolises the
danger of mans desire for knowledge.
Frankenstein is also part of the Romantic movement.
This movement was a reaction against the Industrial and
Scientific Revolutions.

Themes
The Danger of Knowledge
Victor Frankensteins life is ultimately
destroyed by his desire to push the
boundaries of knowledge, and mess with
things that are not for humans to be
understood. The parallels between
Frankenstein and Prometheus are clear, in
that both are punished for their desire to
learn.
Prometheus is punished for stealing light
from the Gods, and this is ultimately what
happens to Frankenstein.

 The Power of Nature

Mary Shelley was a Romantic, and therefore the
power and beauty of Nature is a theme that runs
throughout the tale.
Light and Darkness
Throughout the novel, light symbolises Science, and
darkness symbolises Nature.
Justice
Much of the action of the text is driven by the
Monsters desire to gain justice from Victor. Victors
decision to abandon the Monster began a chain of
events that led to the two becoming antagonists. The
Monster feels that it would be just if Victor were to
build a companion for him, since Victor clearly does
not want to interact with his creation.

 Isolation
The monster refers to himself as Adam in the novel, showing
that he believes himself to be fundamentally alone (as there is
no Eve for him). This drives him to commit ever more
desperate acts. There is a neat parallel between the monster
and Victor, particularly after the monster begins killing Victors
friends and family most notably in the case of Elizabeth. Both
Victor and the monster end up not only socially alone, but
physically and geographically, when they are in the desolate
environment of the North Pole.
Ignorance and learning
The monster is only truly unhappy with his situation when he
learns about other people. It is then that he appreciates how
lucky he is, and desires for Victor to create a companion for
him. Shelley drew on the work of Jean Jacques Rousseau, who
felt that society was a corruption influence, and that in a
natural state, man was a noble savage far happier than in a
modern society.

Literary Techniques
Foreshadowing
Frankenstein begins with a series of questions. The reader
begins by wondering what Victor is doing in the Arctic Circle.
In a sense, therefore, we know the end of the story before
the beginning.
Religious imagery
The religious imagery is deliberate throughout
Frankenstein. The monster refers to himself as Adam,
which emphasises the fact that Victor was playing God.
Duality
The novel is full of dualities, and much of the action is based
upon pairs of ideas. The most obvious duality is between the
monster and Victor. Both are unnatural Victor messes with
nature, and the monster is a non-natural creation. Both see
a companion die, which drives them to desperation.

 The Monster
Shelley manages a remarkable act in Frankenstein in
that the monster is both horrifying, but also a
sympathetic character. This emphasises the richness
of the characters, that we can be made to feel
empathy for a character who commits numerous
murders, and is made out of parts of dead bodies
(and represents the Other in the narrative).
Henry Clerval
Henry Clerval serves as a moral helper to Victor, and
helps to ensure that he retains some humanity.
Clerval is not only of equivalent intelligence to Victor,
but is also far less willing to challenge the natural
order of things. Henry is shown to be interested in
morality, and how to be good rather than having a
burning passion to discover new things.

Characters
Victor Frankenstein
Victor Frankenstein is the protagonist of the
story, who is shown to be on a tragic collision
course with Nature. Victor tells us that even as a
child he was curious, and wanted to discover the
secrets of the world. It is when he travels to
university in Ingolstadt that he desires to
discover the secret of life.
Victor ultimately commits two terrible acts, the
first being that he creates the monster, and the
second that of abandoning his creation. Both of
these are seen as crimes against Nature