Frankenstein, otherwise known as the The Modern Prometheus, was written by Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley. The title refers to the character, Doctor Victor Frankenstein, who constantly studied science to create a monster that would finally end his happy life. It is also called The Modern Prometheus, because Shelley wanted to compare Frankenstein to the Greek Titan Prometheus . The story was first published in London in 1818; it became popular throughout Western Society and was commented as the first science fiction novel. The story fits in to a romantic and gothic type of literary work. How could this theme of loneliness cause one to end up the way Victor did? The story talks of science and advancements towards creating life and playing God, but is playing God a noble venture? Our thirst for knowledge is what led to the downfall for Victor Frankenstein. Would this same thirst for eternal knowledge by any other human create the same outcome it had upon Victor? The theme of loneliness is portrayed throughout the whole story, and the thirst for never-ending knowledge creates a lonely life because one has time for nothing or no one else.
The story starts off with a Captain Robert Walton writing to his sister Margaret detailing his plans to be the first person to sail a ship into the North Pole. On his departure he travels for five months before he comes across Victor Frankenstein on a slab of ice close to death.
[...] Further in the story, the creature begins to study the actions, language, and feelings of his neighbors. Soon after he learns all of their names, (Felix, Agatha, and De Lacey) and later begins to learn the French language fluently with the Arabic speaking Safie arriving as their guest. Once the monster was fluent in French he attempted to talk with De Lacey who happened to be blind allowing him access without his hideous figure to be discovered. The monster hoped De Lacey would help him by making his children look past his horrid physical features and accept him as one, but he was sadly mistaken. [...]
[...] Once the death of Elizabeth occurred, Victor Frankenstein became the loneliest man alive. This is where the tone of the theme picks up in the story. The theme of loneliness happened to be incorporated with each of the main characters. Victor Frankenstein was lonely because his lose of family and friends, his creation due to a lack of a partner, and Captain Walton was without a friend to share his ambition and dream of fame. Work Cited Page 1.) Abrams et al. [...]
[...] While creating it, he thinks of the consequences of creating it. of the first results of those sympathies for which the dæmon thirsted would be children, and a race of devils would be propagated upon the earth, who might make the very existence of the species of man a condition precarious and full of terror.” (Shelley, pg 1000). This made Victor tear apart the creation in front of his monster and not agree to finish the project. This angered the monster deeply and it could only reply with one threat, then I thought again of his words-‘I will be with you on your wedding night'” (Shelley, pg 1001). [...]
[...] The story fits in to a romantic and gothic type of literary work. How could this theme of loneliness cause one to end up the way Victor did? The story talks of science and advancements towards creating life and playing God, but is playing God a noble venture? Our thirst for knowledge is what led to the downfall for Victor Frankenstein. Would this same thirst for eternal knowledge by any other human create the same outcome it had upon Victor? [...]
[...] Victor's father agrees to his demand and sends Henry and Victor to England to do some sightseeing, although Alphonse doesn't know Victor's real intentions is to create a monstrous bride for his monster. They decide make their tour of England for two years. This gave Victor enough time to meet every philosopher and scientist along the way for some advice on creating this new monster. During their tour, Victor leaves Henry in Scotland to find a remote area to create his second creature. [...]
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