One of the themes of Mary Shelley's Frankenstein is the distrust of scientific pursuits. Shelley was a Romantic writer. The Romantics lived during the Industrial Revolution, and as much as they saw that the world was advancing and bringing many wonderful inventions to fruition, they also feared these new industrial and scientific innovations. When Frankenstein goes to university he meets a professor that inspires him. This professor says that scientists "have acquired new and almost unlimited powers; they can command the thunders of heaven, mimic the earthquake, and even mock the invisible world with its own shadows" (Shelley, chapter 3). While these words inspire Frankenstein with the power that could be available to him as a scientist, he then remarks that "such were the professor’s words—rather let me say such the words of the fate—enounced to destroy me" (Shelley, chapter 3). Frankenstein becomes so obsessed with his scientific pursuits that he does not stop to consider the consequences. His invention becomes his downfall and the destruction of several of his friends and family members. He admonishes his readers about "how dangerous is the acquirement of knowledge and how much happier that man is who believes his native town to be the world, than he who aspires to become greater than his nature will allow" (Shelley, chapter 3).
Another prominent theme is the duty of a creator to his creation. While the monster is wandering the countryside, he learns the story of Adam and Eve. He confronts Frankenstein, and tells him:
Like Adam, I was apparently united by no link to any other being in existence; but his state was far different from mine in every other respect. He had come forth from the hands of God a perfect creature, happy and prosperous, guarded by the especial care of his Creator; he was allowed to converse with and acquire knowledge from beings of a superior nature, but I was wretched, helpless, and alone (Shelley, chapter 15)
The monster asks Frankenstein "‘Accursed creator! Why did you form a monster so hideous that even you turned from me in disgust?" (Shelley, chapter 15). Frankenstein was passionate about creating the monster but soon abandoned him after giving him life. As a result of his abandonment and rejection the monster commits himself to destroying Frankenstein's life, calling into question the ethics of creating something beyond your control that you are not willing to take responsibility for.
https://www.gutenberg.org/files/84/84-h/84-h.htm
Tuesday, August 21, 2012
What are the echoing themes in Mary Shelley's Frankenstein?
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