Frankenstein depicts the ambition to use science to usurp God, influenced by the eighteenth century Enlightenment movement (encouraging reasoning to understand the universe), advancements in science in the nineteenth century and the concept of restoration of life through electricity, known as 'galvanism'. Shelley's social context was focused on knowledge and self glory - concepts Shelley opposed. Frankenstein is a didactic warning against growing dependence on science. It highlights consequences of over-reliance on technology, suggesting attempts to usurp God will result in outcomes beyond human control. The Gothic genre allows the purpose to reach the audience.
The texts use a variety of literary and cinematic techniques to offer a fresh perspective on the implications of scientific disregard. The dangerous connection science has , and how we can affect that fragile link, shapes who we are, since nature is a core part of a human’s identity. There must be symmetry between science and nature and when nature is thrown out of balance, destruction follows until brought back into line. Shelley uses her text to influence her society, bringing to light that they must not take their environment for granted, due to the advances in polluting industries at the time . We see this emphasis on nature when Victor ascends the mountain ‘and the solemn silence of this glorious presence-chamber of imperial Nature was broken only by the brawling waves’ the use of descriptive imagery and alliteration shows how nature is sublime to humans, which ties in with the romanticism of the text.
yThroughout the exploration of the module “Texts in Time”, we observe the connections between texts and their reflections of the constancy in human nature, whilst shifting contextual perspectives are maintained. Such a connection is demonstrated in Mary Shelley’s 1818 novel “Frankenstein” (F/stein) and Scott Ridley’s 1991 film “Bladerunner”, where both composers present a cautionary tale, warning us of the implications of science and technological advances on humanity and thus reflecting their own fears in their respective contextual eras. It is through the analysis of such values and implications that we can see the constancy of human nature throughout time. Frankenstein is a gothic inspired, fragmented epistolary, reflecting the rebellion of the Romantic Movement, which advocated the power of imagination, and ones relationship to nature. The gothic convention of sublime nature is represented thematically, through forces of good and evil leading to vengeance and murder, as well as macabre settings of graveyards and charnel houses.
The Reality and the Imagination “Frankenstein” by Mary Shelly To write a book , a writer should be influenced by something important for him/ her .It could be anything - a life , a motive , a person , a smile, an event. We realize that years of research have find out that it is not a coincidence that there are connections in Mary Shelly`s life and here novel masterpiece - Frankenstein .There are various references to her family members and she expresses situations and feelings of her life among pages of the book ,that makes her novel Frankenstein a puzzle in which she has secretly hidden pieces of he own life. There are a lot of examples for placing secrets in masterpieces, a lot of authors enjoy hide secrets in their works- for instance there is Leonardo Da Vinci`s painting “The Last Supper” – which is a great example for secrecy .To reveal the secret of the work , to expose every hidden part of it , to find the connections, to decipher it - makes every individual researcher replete with proud and satisfactions . Such is the case when studying the Mery Shelly`s life and her acknowledged book “Frankenstein”. A small hidden detail which can be considered as insignificant , can turn to be great hints and help to understand and reveal the feelings of the author.
When one thinks of the novel Frankenstein by Mary Shelley, the concepts of knowledge and science are deeply inscribed in the mind. In her work, Mary Shelley tells the story of how one man attempted to emulate the knowledge of his day. Burning with a passion to invent the science of life, Victor Frankenstein soon realizes that such a desire to go beyond current knowledge will backfire and torment the remainder of his life. In the Gothic novel Frankenstein, Mary Shelley conveys her attitudes towards science by portraying it as having the capability to exceed the bounds of human restraint. The overwhelming theme of science that is expressed in Frankenstein is that knowledge has the potential to go beyond the boundaries of human control.
Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein can easily be interpreted through the lens of Freud’s theories of Psychoanalysis, albeit the obvious psychological implications evident in Shelley’s novel. Shelley’s work can be viewed as a commentary on the internal struggle of the psyche (between the Id, Ego, and superego)—but also the greater struggle and tension between the psyche and the greater Society (Civilization). Both Frankenstein and his monster highlight Freud’s theories of the “Pleasure Principle”, Taboo/Incest, Society vs. the Ego (Self), Phallic symbolism, Childhood and the Oedipus Complex, and repression. In the beginning of Frankenstein’s narration, he tells the story of his father who becomes like a “Protecting spirit to the poor child, who committed herself to his care”. This can be viewed as a incestuous relationship, because Frankenstein first takes in young Caroline into his care as a father figure but soon “after the interment of his friend he conducted her to Geneva, and placed her under the protection of a relation.
This plot structure uniquely allows Shelley to frame the story, add depth to it, and allow readers to see and appreciate the strong similarities between the three narrators. By constructing the story in this fashion, Shelley is ultimately able to give purpose to this unusual method of writing and create an original and intriguing plotline. Shelley’s interesting method of framing the story, while at first seems awkward and unnecessary, eventually develops into a recognizable and admirable framing of the story, putting events in a more presentable order and allowing for much greater suspense and foreshadowing. By starting the novel from the perspective of Walton, Shelley allows Victor’s story to be told in the form of that, a story, where such a style would usually seem an odd way to start a book. It also presents the opportunity to foreshadow future events and build suspense, both of which are important aspects of popular literature in the time that the novel was written.
The downfall of Dr. Frankenstein in Mary Shelley’s novel is directly correlated with the humanization of the creature he creates. Through the development of both these characters, Shelley communicates ideas of companionship and the abuse of knowledge as well as raising the question as to what makes people human. Shelley responds to her Gothic, post-Enlightenment and Romantic context, drawing on important Gothic techniques such as the use of sublimes, Gothic polarities and isolated setting. The Age of Reason is also reflected in the novel’s scientific content. Shelley uses a set of letters written by a man called Walton to his sister Margaret as a framing device for her novel.
Perhaps it is true and applies to this “double” situation when they say “you are who you marry.” This brings meaning and relates to Frankenstein in the sense that unconsciously, Frankenstein creates a creature that possesses and resembles Frankenstein’s most deep and inner thoughts and desires. He is able to mimic himself through his own creation and therefore cannot grasp to lose the connection he shares with the monster. Subtly and indefinitely, Frankenstein is depicted to share a bond with the monster by exhibiting the uncanny, raw and, monster-like characteristics, while the creature shares both the emotional and unrefined aspect of his creator. Throughout the novel, there are constant references to elements of the non-living and/or the re-creation of man and/or human form. Victor Frankenstein proves to posses an uncanny passion for the dark and paranormal.
Narrative compositions often rely on personal experiences and it is often in the form of a story. Once a writer uses this technique, he must make sure to include all the aspects of storytelling which are plot, character, setting, climax, and ending. These aspects are used to explain, support, and give life to the story. The narrative composition offers the writer a chance to write and think about themselves. The writer can get these stories from his experiences and memories and these are the memories that he wants to share with other people.