Frankenstein
Frankenstein - themes, characters, 20 quotes, summary, free pdf
About Mary Shelley
Mary Shelley, a British novelist, achieved fame for her Gothic novel Frankenstein, which she authored at the tender age of 18. Born in London in 1797, she was the daughter of the renowned philosopher William Godwin and the feminist writer Mary Wollstonecraft. At 16, she began a romantic relationship with the poet Percy Bysshe Shelley, whom she wedded in 1816 following his first wife's death.
Frankenstein originated after a conversation with Lord Byron about the principles of existence, exploring scientific advancements, humanity's pursuit to create life, and its place in the universe. It was a resounding success and established Mary Shelley's position in literary history. Despite experiencing personal tragedies, she continued to write novels, essays, short stories, and biographies while traveling extensively in Europe with Percy Shelley.
Mary Shelley passed away in 1851 at the age of 53, leaving behind an unparalleled legacy. Frankenstein has remained continuously in print since its first publication and is widely regarded as one of the most celebrated works in English literature. Her innovative blend of science, gothic horror, and ethical issues has influenced the development of science fiction and horror genres.
Although Mary Shelley is best known for Frankenstein, her literary contributions throughout her life are significant and noteworthy.
About Frankenstein
Frankenstein, published anonymously in 1818, is a Gothic novel by Mary Shelley. The novel tells the story of Victor Frankenstein, a scientist who creates a living being through an unconventional experiment.
The full title of the novel is Frankenstein; or, The Modern Prometheus, alluding to the Greek myth of Prometheus who stole fire from the gods and gave it to mankind. The novel explores themes such as the dangers of disruptive scientific advancement, mankind's pursuit of knowledge and power, creation and destruction, and isolation versus companionship.
Victor assembles the creature's body from various parts and brings it to life through his experiment. However, Victor is repulsed by his creation and abandons the creature. Left alone and unloved, the creature seeks revenge against Victor for abandoning it.
Frankenstein is considered a pioneering work of science fiction that has influenced numerous works featuring reanimation or artificial life. The novel has been adapted into various film, theater and other cultural adaptations over the years. The creature in particular has become one of the most iconic monsters in fiction.
Frankenstein Themes
"Frankenstein," authored by Mary Shelley, is a literary work that delves into a diverse range of themes, such as the perilous outcomes of ambition, the repercussions of scientific exploration, the essence of humanity, and the influence of solitude and exclusion. Through its multifaceted exploration of these themes, the novel highlights the complexities of human existence and raises pertinent questions about the nature of knowledge, responsibility, and the human condition. These are some of the main themes of the book:
- Ambition: The novel explores the dangers of unbridled ambition through the character of Victor Frankenstein, who is obsessed with creating life and ultimately pays a terrible price for his ambition.
- Scientific Discovery: The novel raises questions about the ethics of scientific discovery and the responsibility of scientists to consider the possible consequences of their work.
- Nature of Humanity: The book explores the nature of humanity and what it means to be human as Victor Frankenstein's creation struggles to understand its own identity and place in the world.
- Isolation and Rejection: The novel depicts the destructive power of isolation and rejection as both Victor Frankenstein and his creation experience intense feelings of loneliness and alienation.
- Parent-Child Relationships: The book explores the complex dynamics of parent-child relationships as Victor Frankenstein assumes the role of the "father" of his creation and struggles to accept responsibility for his actions.
- Power and Control: The novel raises questions of power and control as both Victor Frankenstein and his creation attempt to exercise control over their own lives and the lives of those around them.
Overall, Frankenstein is a complex novel that raises important questions about science, humanity, and the nature of existence. Its themes still resonate with readers today, making it a timeless work of literature.
Frankenstein Characters
- Victor Frankenstein: The main character is driven by an incessant craving for scientific discovery and achievement. His quest for knowledge and supremacy, however, ultimately causes his own ruin. His relentless pursuit of ultimate knowledge and mastery ultimately leads to his undoing. The protagonist's unquenchable thirst for discovery and scientific progress proves to be his downfall. The search for supremacy through scientific achievement results in the main character's own decline.
- Elizabeth Lavenza: Elizabeth, Victor's fiancée, represents the ideal feminine qualities of virtue, beauty and comfort. Her character typifies how female perfection is conventionally portrayed and stands as a promise of affection. Elizabeth personifies the traditional notions of femininity as the embodiment of virtue, beauty and domestic comfort. She symbolizes the idealized representation of womanhood and the potential for unconditional love and care.
- Caroline: Victor's mother represents the ultimate in maternal devotion and generosity. Her death acts as the catalyst for Victor's aspiration to overcome mortality. Before she dies, she expresses her final wish that Victor and Elizabeth marry. Victor's mother personifies the height of motherly affection and magnanimity. Her passing serves as the impetus for Victor's desire to transcend death. In her final moments, she conveys her dying wish that Victor and Elizabeth unite in marriage.
- Alphonse Frankenstein: Alphonse is Victor's father. He embodies kindness and selflessness, deriving his own happiness from the happiness of his children. Their failures and deaths herald their own downfall.
- William Frankenstein: William is Victor's younger brother. His death at the hands of the creature represents a violation of innocence and lost potential.
- Henry Clerval: Henry is Victor's lifelong best friend. His intellectual interests, fascinated by human history, contrast with those of Victor. His killing by the creature may symbolize the destruction of Victor's innate goodness and perspective.
- Justine Moritz: Though a servant, Justine is like a sister to Victor and Elizabeth. Her unjust execution for William's murder makes her a symbol of shattered virtue and innocence.
- The Creature/The Monster: Victor's creation, the creature is his double, tormentor and victim. Their intertwined fates define the narrative.
- Robert Walton: The narrator of the story, Walton shares Victor's ambition, drive and desire for fame.
- M. De Lacey: Despite losing his wealth through kindness, de Lacey's blindness enables him to recognize the creature's sincerity despite its hideous appearance.
- Felix De Lacey: Felix dutifully cares for his family and fiancée Safie. But stoning the creature reveals humanity's inherent hatred of difference.
- Agatha De Lacey: Agatha exemplifies selfless, caring womanhood despite her family's poverty and her personal sadness.
- Safie: Felix's betrothed, Safie's exotic Turkish beauty is objectified. The de Laceys want to marry her to Felix and convert her to Christianity.
Frankenstein Summary
The story is told through letters and stories of several characters. The main narrator is Robert Walton, an explorer who travels to the North Pole and meets Victor Frankenstein. Victor Frankenstein tells Walton his story. Victor grew up fascinated by science and the mysteries of life. He decides to create a living being out of corpse parts.
After creating his 8ft tall creature, Victor is horrified and runs away. The creature seeks revenge on Victor. The creature demands that Victor make it a mate, to which Victor agrees but later destroys it. This enrages the creature, who swears revenge.
The creature kills Victor's younger brother and then Victor's bride, Elizabeth, on their wedding night. Victor swears revenge on the creature and chases it to the Arctic. However, the harsh environment weakens both Victor and the creature.
Victor dies in Walton's arms, warning him not to play God. The creature walks away grieving the loss of its creator. Eventually, it self-destructs and swears that there will never be a creature as miserable as itself.
Frankenstein Quotes
- "It was on a dreary night of November that I beheld the accomplishment of my toils."
- "How can I describe my emotions at this catastrophe, or how delineate the wretch whom with such infinite pains and care I had endeavored to form?"
- "Nothing is so painful to the human mind as a great and sudden change."
- "Learn from me, if not by my precepts, at least by my example, 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.”
- "Beware; for I am fearless, and therefore powerful."
- "If any being felt emotions of benevolence towards me, I should return them a hundred and a hundred-fold."
- "If I cannot inspire love, I will cause fear."
- "A human being in perfection ought always to preserve a calm and peaceful mind and never to allow passion or a transitory desire to disturb his tranquility."
- "Remember, I am thy creature; I ought to be thy Adam."
- "The fall of such a being would draw with it that of my character and existence."
- "I shall die. I shall no longer feel the agonies which now consume me or be the prey of feelings unsatisfied, yet unquenched."
- "A new species would bless me as its creator and source; many happy and excellent natures would owe their being to me."
- "Life, although it may only be an accumulation of anguish, is dear to me."
- "Even that enemy of God and man had friends and associates in his desolation."
- "Cursed, cursed creator! Why did I live?"
- "The picture appeared hideous, abhorred, and loathed."
- "He is the author of all the evil on earth."
- "I shall collect my funeral pile and consume to ashes this miserable frame."
- "When I found so astonishing a power placed within my hands, I hesitated a long time concerning the manner in which I should employ it."
- "I sometimes endeavored to discover the motives which prompted me to seek solitude; but I could find no other except the overwhelming desire of heart-rending sensations, a desire which continually preyed upon me."
Article Summary
Mary Shelley's "Frankenstein" explores themes of creation, science, humanity, and alienation through the story of Victor Frankenstein, an ambitious scientist who uses an experimental method to create a living being. The novel depicts Victor's scientific pursuit of the mysteries of life itself, and the potentially hazardous consequences that ensue.
Victor's ambition and obsessive quest for knowledge blinds him to his moral responsibility towards his creation, raising complex questions about humanity, compassion, and the limits of science.
The creature created by Victor is misunderstood by others and seen as monstrous, leading to profound isolation and alienation. Both Victor and the creature experience intense loneliness and rejection that harms them. In search of belonging, the creature grapples with questions of identity and the meaning of being human.
The creature eventually exacts revenge on its creator for abandoning it, revealing the damage Victor's distanced "mad scientist" approach can do. Overall, "Frankenstein" explores enduring themes of creation, monstrosity, identity, alienation, and the relationship between creator and creation in a Gothic tale that still resonates with modern readers today.
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