Comparison of Characters in ‘Frankenstein’ by Mary Wollestonecraft Shelley

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COMPARISON OF CHARACTERS IN ‘FRANKENSTEIN’ BY MARY WOLLESTONECRAFT SHELLEY The novel Frankenstein, a master piece of Mary Shelley was written at the age of 19. This novel contains a subtitle which is a key feature used to describe Mary’s thought of creation and creator. ‘Frankenstein or The Modern Prometheus’, the novel’s subtitle is a reference made to the ancient myth of both the Greek and Roman dynasty, as the Prometheus who stole fire from God Zeus to animate the inanimate, was punished by Zeus to be tied up in a stone and his liver to be eaten by the eagle, which would eventually re-grow everyday to be eaten on the following day. This is the Greek version of the story, where as the Roman version is slightly different as the character of Ovid is referred to as the ‘Creator of Life’. Both these stories ideally fits the character of Victor, as he himself was under the impression of considering him as The Creator of a different species which would give him the credit for creating them. ‘…a new species would bless me as its creator and source; many happy and excellent natures would owe their being to me…’ (pg 52; Ch.4). We could compare both the characters of Victor and his abhorred monster under the themes of exploiting the deepest feelings of humanity. The novel revolves on a redemptive power of Love and Hate, and this interrelation is evidently explained throughout the interconnection between the structures formed together with the character of Victor Frankenstein verses his created Monster. They all are exposed in the novel by sharing the love of nature, thirst for knowledge, along with the desire of vengeance. In addition to personal beliefs, both find themselves victimized, and secluded from society. The love of nature is shared under two different aspects, one which expresses its beauty and calmness and the other where nature is used as a conduit to
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