Frankenstein Novel Analysis, Essay Example

Since time immemorial, novels have been used as a means of entertainment and a way to teach moral lessons. They are often long prose narratives that commonly describe fictional characters and situations as a sequential story. Novels are said to be among the most extended genres of narrative prose. In writing, the author incorporates various styles and techniques to polish the works to ensure the audience understands what they mean and be entertained. One such novel is Frankenstein, authored by Mary Shelley in 1818. The tale is subject of much analysis. It has been interpreted in numerous dimensions. While some depict it as a cautionary piece concerning the evils of science and technology, others see it as a need for acceptance and love. Frankenstein is one of the classical and most influential novels ever published and can be read as a commentary on scientific progress.

Chosen Title 3

“None but those who have experienced them can conceive of the enticements of science.” How might Frankenstein be read as a commentary on scientific progress?

Novel Summary

Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley wrote the book Frankenstein, which was first released in 1818. Beginning with a series of letters to his sister in England, Robert Walton, the captain of a ship headed for the North Pole, introduces the reader to his dangerous quest (Shelley, 2022, 12). Impassable ice-filled seas hinder Robert before the expedition, which cages him. By this time, Walton meets Victor Frankenstein, who is traveling across the ice, and due cold, he is weakened. Frankenstein is taken aboard by Walton, who nurses him to health and listens to his fantastic tale of a monster that Frankenstein created (Shelley, 2022, 18). Victor Frankenstein, the main character of the Gothic horror story Frankenstein, finds out how to create life. He makes a monstrous creature out of this knowledge, which leads to his anguish and eventual death. The work is authored as a nested epistolary tale, with first-person perspectives from Captain Walton, Victor Frankenstein, and the monster.

Cultural and Historical Contexts of Frankenstein

Frankenstein was published during the Romantic period in Britain. It was a time when many people were keen on the supernatural and the natural globe. The novel reflects this interest and the Enlightenment ideas of science and progress. It is set in the late 18th century, a time of political and social upheaval. The French Revolution had recently occurred, and Napoleon Bonaparte was rising to power. It was a time of change, and many people were questioning the traditional ways of doing things. Frankenstein is also a story about the dangers of science and technology. It was a time when science was making significant progress, but people were also becoming increasingly aware of its potential risks. The Industrial Revolution was also beginning to impact society, and many people were concerned about the impact of technology on the environment and human beings. In other words, Mary Shelley was born in an age of revolution driven by reason, surrounded by the artistic, scientific, and political processes. Mary’s husband and father were infamous radical thinkers and writers alongside other philosophers who played a critical role and influence on the writing of the novel by Mary.

Mary’s father had several ideas, the main one being that everybody should conduct themselves for the good of humanity. The opinion was driven by the fact that he knew the selfishness of humankind would be the root cause of society’s breakdown and downfall. It is demonstrated in the novel as Frankenstein thinks about himself and nobody else. For instance, he ignores the monster’s needs, requesting Victor to create a wife for him, but he does not (Shelley, 2022, 10). Therefore, the beast is upset, and by that, it has enough reason to do harm which is valid to say that Frankenstein was endangering humanity by being selfish and inconsiderate. Additionally, Frankenstein has poor parenting skills as he abandons his creature (Shelley, 2022, 20).

During these times, the French and American revolutions were underway, and people were forced into long days in the factories, which were grueling due to the industrial revolution (Mpofu & Nicolaides, 2019, 5). Also, the scientific side of the course was part of the novel. Mary had heard about a man named Galvani who was reanimated dead tissue and another who was dead but wired on a battery so that his jaw seemed to move and fist clench; his name was Aldini. Concerning these revolutions, Shelley primarily aimed to unfold the dark horrors that came with the revolution, which was deemed human progress. She was among writers and novelists who had no faith in the believed infinite perfectibility of a man; hence through their novels such as Frankenstein, human beings are portrayed as woefully imperfect and existing under the grace of superior forces like death and nature.

Scientific Perspective on Frankenstein

Frankenstein is a classic novel that narrates the tale of a scientist, Victor Frankenstein, who creates a monster out of dead human parts. The book has been praised for its scientific accuracy and exploration of science. The scientific perspective on Frankenstein is that it is a novel that explores the ethical implications of science. The novel raises questions about the responsibility of scientists to consider the consequences of their actions. It also asks whether science should be used to create life and how that life should be treated. The novel has also been said to be among the initial science fiction works ever written because it deals with the idea of creating life. This topic was not well understood at the time the novel was written. The book also deals with science being used for evil purposes. It is something that is still relevant today. There are many debates about the ethics of using science to create life. The novel Frankenstein is a classic example of the dangers of science being used for evil purposes.

For instance, recent scientific progress in reproductive and biomedical technologies, such as tissue engineering, assisted conception, cloning, stem cell research, and genetic manipulation, are depicted in the novel. Shelley’s characters in the story, Galvani and Aldini, are organisms in existence due to science and human research and development of science. Today, cutting-edge technology, which started in recent years, is reflected in the 1970s. During these periods, human IVF was a viable technique where an egg is fertilized by a sperm in a test tube or, in other words, elsewhere but not the womb where it would typically take place (Shelley & Bolton, 2018, 2). For this reason, many critics and journalists have coined the phrase “Franken” to refer to technology that cannot be trusted or seems weird.

Frankenstein created a monster he could not control, but all were driven by the fact that he got knowledge which is science. While doing his scientific explorations, Frankenstein did not think of the potential consequences his creation might unleash in the future. It is valid to argue that science has potential for good and does bring good; however, sometimes, scientists overreach. It feels great for scientists if they develop something which turns out to be successful and valuable (Shelley & Bolton, 2018, 2). It is gratifying and pushes them to do more; however, led by such enticements and possibilities of more, scientists start trying for the impossible. The result is that such endeavors become forces beyond control. For instance, Frankenstein attempts to make an artificial individual literally from a corpse. Any sane person would see it as an operation against nature and death, as the dead are given their respects and buried, not to be brought back to life because it is crazy (Shelley & Bolton, 2018, 2). Through Shelley’s work, she portrays such scientific attempts as doomed and always as a recipe for disaster, especially for humankind, and as punishment for going against mother nature.

The actions in the novel can be seen in the real world today, thanks to science. People are looking forwards to changing themselves in terms of body surgery, altering their natural selves to those they imagine they should look like in appearance. Foods are no longer garden grown but manufactured in factories and straight to people’s mouths. Only a few of how much is done through science (Heringman, 2019, 6). They all lead to problems such as disfigured people from failed surgeries, obesities, and cancers from eating processed foods which remain the most prominent challenges towards humanity today. Even worse, the scientists will not take responsibility for their actions like Frankenstein. The problem with his creation was not the creation itself but how Frankenstein reacted to it. He says, “now that I had finished, the beauty of the dream vanished, and breathless horror and disgust filled my heart.” Frankenstein sees his creation as a disgrace, and the downfall seems inevitable (Shelley, 2022, 20). For thought, it would have been a different story if Frankenstein had taken care of his creation and made sure it became the perfect creation he envisioned and lived up to his responsibilities.

Structure of the Novel

The novel has complex structures, but overall, it follows a symmetrical design that starts will Walton’s letters, then shifts to the tale of Frankenstein, and afterward, the narration of the creature’s creations to facilitate the switching back to Frankenstein at the end of the story. The benefit of using such a style is that it offers the audience different perspectives so that they get various versions of a similar narration as they come from different views (Shelley, 2022, 4). Since the novel itself involves letters, the narrative is epistolary.

The novel can be viewed from the approach of working from the outside inwards. Robert Walton writes letters about his journey as a captain of an explorer ship to his sister in England, where he unravels unknown mysteries of the Arctic (Shelley, 2022, 10). The stories within a story carry another tale with them. In the book’s core sits the story of the creature on account of Frankenstein, in which within the story lies the tale of DeLecay’s, a family of peasants which the monster watched for quite some time. Therefore, a frame narrative is present, too, and the stories become more relevant, thrilling, and powerful. The idea that Frankenstein’s sister Margaret is removed from the chain of narratives and does not seem to be in danger calms the audience, and it becomes clear the most scared person is Victor (Shelley, 2022, 20).

Plot

The novel Frankenstein relates the tale of brilliant scientist Victor Frankenstein, who can give life to a creature he created. But instead of becoming the ideal specimen he anticipates, it turns out to be a repulsive creature that both Victor and humanity reject (Shelley, 2022, 26). The monster uses dread and murder to get its vengeance.

Themes

The novel carries several themes within its stories, starting with family, society, and isolation. Frankenstein asserts in its preface that it is a book that portrays “domestic attachment” in a favorable light. That assertion seems weird in a book about murder, misery, and hopelessness. But in reality, lack of ties to either family or community causes all of the tragedy, murder, and sorrow (Shelley, 2022, 20). To put it another way, isolation rather than Victor or the monster is the real villain in Frankenstein. Victor loses sight of his obligations and the effects of his acts when he buries himself in his studies and withdraws from human society.

There is the theme of ambition and fallibility as Frankenstein presents humans as immensely ambitious yet deeply flawed through the characters Victor and Walton. Victor and Walton aspire to change society and elevate themselves through their scientific accomplishments (Shelley, 2022, 20). Their objectives do nevertheless also leave them vulnerable. They are oblivious to the effects of their deeds due to their ambitions of stardom. Victor thus transforms himself into a deity, a creator, by bringing his monster to life, but this only emphasizes his frailty as he cannot uphold the creator’s obligations to his creature.

Romanticism and nature are also depicted in the novel. Romantic authors saw nature as the most potent and ideal force in the cosmos. They used adjectives like “sublime” to describe the natural world’s unfathomable strength and perfection, just as Mary Shelley did when she told Mont Blanc in Frankenstein (Shelley, 2022, 18). On the other hand, Frankenstein regards them as “half made up.” The message is clear: compared to nature’s perfection, humans, burdened by trivial concerns and myriad defects like ego and prejudice, are nothing.

Language Features

As a piece of literature, Frankenstein employs various language features, making the story an excellent selection of work.

Symbolism

There is a symbol of light, which represents enlightenment. Walton believes that the North Pole, which he refers to as “a country of eternal light.” will reveal the universe’s secrets. Nearly all of Victor’s epiphanies also involve light (Shelley, 2022, 9). He claims that when he first learned about natural philosophy, “A new light seemed to dawn upon my mind.” Shelley’s book is officially titled Frankenstein Or the Modern Prometheus. Concerning Greek mythology, Prometheus was a titan who pioneered humans’ use of fire before receiving harsh chastisement from the Gods. Victor attempts to share the secret of life with humanity in Frankenstein, but as a result, he suffers severe punishment: the monster he creates obliterates his life and family (Shelley, 2022, 24).

Imagery

In the disastrous journey of Walton in the novel, he is aboard a ship making his way through the north pole. Shelly uses vivid and descriptive language, creating an image of a doomed vessel such as ice, ice all around, and the ice cracked. “I am in good spirits: my men are strong and evidently firm of purpose, nor do the floating sheets of ice that regularly pass us, which appear to dismay them,” Walton says to Margaret in an introductory letter (Shelley, 2022, 11). As the ship travels toward the north, Shelley employs imagery to help readers feel the ice that is starting to encircle it. It is just the beginning; Walton will eventually have to deal with rebellion and the possibility of death.

Characterization

Victor Frankenstein, in the novel, is introduced as a generally likable individual with a curious mind and a yearning for scientific advancement. But because of his ambition, he develops a haughty and rigid attitude. The monster is unlike most fictional characters because it has no past, family, or history. He is Victor’s creation, assembled from various body parts and given life through an experiment (Shelley, 2022, 6). The monster escapes from humans and attain traits such as ability to speak, think rationally, and have emotions. Nevertheless, his image turns against him, and he becomes vulnerable to individuals cons and prejudice. Polar Robert Walton meets Victor Frankenstein in the Arctic. Victor tells Walton his tale, and Walton then chronicles it in a sequence of letters to his relative Margaret Saville in England. Walton, motivated by a thirst for knowledge, shares several traits with Frankenstein. He also experiences loneliness, similar to Victor and the Monster.

References

Heringman, N., 2019. Science and Human Animality in Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein. The Wordsworth Circle, 50(1), pp.127-145. Link: https://www.journals.uchicago.edu/doi/full/10.1086/702587.

Mpofu, R. and Nicolaides, A., 2019. Frankenstein and the fourth industrial revolution (4IR): Ethics and human rights considerations. African Journal of Hospitality, Tourism and Leisure, 8(5), pp.1-25. Link: https://www.ajhtl.com/uploads/7/1/6/3/7163688/article_71_vol_8_5__2019_unisa.pdf.

Shelley, M., 2022. Frankenstein. Link: https://openlibrary-repo.ecampusontario.ca/xmlui/handle/123456789/1190.

Shelley, M. and Bolton, G., 2018. Frankenstein. In Medicine and Literature (pp. 35-52). CRC Press. Link: https://api.taylorfrancis.com/content/chapters/edit/download?identifierName=doi&identifierValue=10.1201/9781315375670-4&type=chapterpdf.