English Literature: Frankenstein Essay Essay

Frankenstein was written by Mary Shelley when she was only eighteen years old after a nightmare she had. It was first produce on 1st January 1818 and was an instant success. Using the air of the Gothic new(a), Frankenstein was the first science-fiction book ever written. Almost two centuries later it has come not only a widely read classic, but in addition superstar of the most influential unexampleds ever written. Frankenstein is a moral yarn that deals with issues and ethics of medical and scientific advancement and how far clements should go in tampering with nature.The story raises questions as to who should have final strength over life and human nature, God or humans. Shelley calls her book a Modern Prometheus, because there are many similarities in the plots. The Greek God, Prometheus, gave the human race fire, out of pity so they could eat, but also brought them danger, and was penalize for it by Zeus. Prometheus was a hero to humans, but Dr. Victor Frankenstein is a baddie because he did nothing to contribute to the world he did e actuallything for himself rather than using his knowledge for the good of others.Shelley does not express her views, but simply tells a story. The story explores the dire consequences of meddling in such serious matters. In a dramatic and shocking way she is more persuasive and ambitious to people than if she had directly preached her views. Without directly telling people what they ought to ideate, she is powerfully up to(p) to make people question the morality of their effections in a sidereal day of rapid scientific advances. The Gothic Novel was a very common style of writing in the late eighteenth to mid-nineteenth century.Shelley used this style because she knew it would appeal to the masses. Its use of horror, violence and the supernatural was exciting, intriguing and macabre. Although at one and only(a) level it was frightening, it was also intriguing and compelling. Although on the surface it repel led, at a deeper level a reader was drawn to the horror, just as the particular(a) are drawn to view victims of an accident. Her clever use of horror disguises her priggish views by letting the dire outcome of an obsessed doctor who creates a monster speak for itself. Victor Frankenstein Dr.Victor Frankenstein is the main protagonist of the novel and is a complex character. The bulk of the story is told from his point of view, revealing his scrape to deal with the responsibility for the tragic consequences of his playing God by creating a monster from dead bodies he stole from graves. Frankenstein is a very self-conceited and conceited man. He believes totally in his own ability and power. He is self-centred, but at the same time lacks self-awareness. I doubted not that I should ultimately succeed. p. 42 Frankensteins ego is so immense that he comes to see himself as God-like.His dream to create a physically excellent race that will worship him as its God is the dream of a meg alomaniac. He has delusions of grandeur almost to the point of considering himself as the Saviour of the world. Although Dr. Frankenstein admits that he was at first unsure about whether he should perform the act of human creation this hesitancy is quickly taken over by his arrogance and desire to succeed. He thinks he can do no wrong. I doubted at first but my imagination was too such(prenominal) exalted to permit me to doubt of my ability p. 42Frankenstein in one sense is an idealist in that he wanted to create a perfect race, a better race than current, imperfect humanity. He has a vision of an army of physically superior humans with high intelligence. notwithstanding the reality of his method is to combine a collection of different torso parts from different human beings, with different proportions, from graves and vaults. His ideal is very different to reality, showing how out of touch with reality he rattling is. It also shows his immorality, for he disregards authority a nd has a lack of respect for the dead.Frankensteins readiness to mutilate and steal bodies shows that he thinks of the deceased bodies as still physical carcasses for use at his disposal. He seems to have no moral philosophy or ethics at all and doesnt even think about the consequences if he was caught. I collected bones from charnel-houses and disturbed, with profane fingers, the amazing secrets of the human frame. p. 43 Frankensteins obsession with creation drives him to break start the boundaries of life and death. He is oblivious to the outside world and nothing else matters to him. pipe down urged on by an eagerness which perpetually increased, I brought my work skillful to a conclusion. p. 43 But once creating his being, when the Monster awakes, Frankenstein is terrified by it, and runs away. His ideal of a perfect, flawless being is crushed at the throne of his hideous creation. Frankenstein instantly rejects the Monster, fleeing from its outstretched arms. He is jud gemental and shallow, judging his creation on looks, not personality. However, scientists are supposed to be objective instead of subjective. straightaway I had finished, the beauty of the dream vanished P.