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Frankenstein - Mary Shelley

Katie, Nicole,Jess T,Jess B, Drew.

Religion and Transgression

'My person was hideous and my stature gigantic. What did this mean? Who was I? What was I? Whence did I come?'

Here Shelley elludes to Milton's Paradise Lost, mirroring the extract in the beginning of the novel: 'Did I request thee, Maker, from my clay

To mould me man? Did I solicit thee

From darkness to promote me?'

'I am thy creature; I ought to be thy Adam, but I am rather the fallen angel'

  • Throughout the novel, Shelley refers to religious allegory. The creature often compares himself to Adam and the Devil.
  • Shelley educates the reader that all humans born with 'original sin' - mistakes Adam and Eve created due to their transgressions.

Paradise Lost us an epic poem in blank verse written by Milton in 1667. Milton incorporated Paganism, classical Greek references, and Christianity into the poem. There is also a large portion of history revolving around Genesis, the New Testament, the deuterocanonical Book of Enoch, and the Old Testament.

In Frankenstein the monster discovers the book on the ground. Paradise Lost 'excited different and deeper emotions. I read it...as a true story' (Shelley) The monster compares himself to Adam and Satan and realised he fit the role of Satan more than God.

Feminism

Comparison to The Handmaid's Tale

  • Both are science fiction novels that introduce ideas regarding the implications of scientific advancements in society.
  • Religion plays an integral role in both societies.
  • Similar narrative structure in that there are two untrustworthy narrators.
  • Objectification of women in both texts.
  • Both societies face adverse situations.

Marxism

There is definitive power between the working and upper class within Frankenstein; e.g. The monster in contrast with Victor and Justine in contrast with Elizabeth.

'yet why were these gentle beings unhappy? They possessed a delightful house- and every luxury'...quoting The monster wherein we can see his lack of comfortably, and support to which he aspires to be alike to the cottagers regardless of their poor lifestyle.

Many working class men and women were leading a life of suffering to which money, food and a house above their head was very limited within the 1800's.

Patriarchy and Presentation of Women

The author characterizes each woman as passive, disposable and serving a utilitarian function. Female characters like Safie, Elizabeth, Justine, Margaret and Agatha provide nothing more but a channel of action for the male characters in the novel. Events and actions happen to them, usually for the sake of teaching a male character a lesson or sparking an emotion within him. Each of Shelley’s women serves a very specific purpose in Frankenstein.

God knows how entirely I am innocent. But I do not pretend that my protestations should acquit me; I rest my innocence on a plain and simple explanation of the facts…” (65).

Elizabeth along with the other unseen 'silent' female characters are highly objectified. Victor describes her as a 'promised gift', 'since till death she was to be mine only.'

There is a disregard of women in Frankenstein where men prioritizes their personal ambitions and goals and leave women to be homemakers. A prime example o this is when Victor informs the reader 'Elizabeth approved of the reasons of my departure and only regretted that she had not the same opportunities of enlarging her experience and cultivating her understanding'

Science and Society

  • In Frankenstein, a more secular society is developing as we see science becoming more influential. For example Cornelius Agrippa, a 16th Century scholar of occult sciences becomes an evident icon for Victor. 'Thus ended a memorable day to me; it decided my future destiny'
  • 1818 was a year for 'new thinking', the scientific advancements of the 19th Century posed risks. Shelley's intentions are to warn the modern reader of the possibilities/implications of science in the future. 'You seek for knowledge and wisdom, as I once did; and I ardently hope the gratification of your wishes'

Context

Shelley - Born in 1797

Her Mother, Mary Wollestonecraft was the author of the Vindication of the Rights of Woman, 1792 an early feminist philosophical manifesto. She died giving birth to her daughter Shelley.

Three of Shelley's children died in infancy. The only one to live who later then died was called William, a character in 'Frankenstein'

Percy Shelley drowned which left Shelley as a widow and single mother.

Her father 'was my God', an early Marxist philosopher.

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