The parallelism between Victor Frankenstein and Prometheus is seen through both of their actions of trying to play God by giving life. Both Frankenstein and Prometheus tried to create their own being or race to worship them, and were punished in the end for their endeavors. In “Frankenstein”, one can see the power struggle between Frankenstein and The Creature. Frankenstein becomes obsessed with his studies and project of creating a human, and in a way becomes power thirsty as he plays God by giving life. When his experiment comes to life, Frankenstein gets scared, thus giving The Creature all of the power he previously held.
Shelley evidences this theme through Victor stealing the Gods gift of life, alluding to Prometheus stealing the Gods gift of fire, epitomised in Victors dialogue “A new species would bless me as its creator”. ( can also add from here the domino effect/ notes taken from book, consequences of playing God) Victor becomes a lost soul when he tries his ghastly experiments on the dead and loses his moral compass when he becomes obsessed with animating the dead. Victor's overindulgence in science takes away his humanity, and he is left with the consequences of these actions without having reasoned out the reality that his experiments may not have the desired effects. (can also talk about loss of parental duty/abondment) Rejecting and not naming his invention makes the reader feel a sense of prejudice against the monster as it is given titles such as the ‘monster’ or ‘creature’, words that linger on a negative aspect. This initial reaction of Victor was an indirect means of Shelley showing how humans would react to side effects or catastrophes caused by scientific
In order to analyze Frankenstein, one must recall some elements of people's imaginary, as well as old scholars' concepts regarding this famous and ingenious work of Romantic literature. The background in which the author Mary Shelley was inserted to, as well as its importance in introducing readers to a certain type of moral dilemma that was dealt with by several authors of that era, aside from stamping a whole new genre in itself, which was science-fiction. This article briefly discusses the main thematic elements of the novel, inserted in a certain context, under a revenge and betrayal bias, which are ultimately the main triggers of the dramatic action. To start with, it is interesting to mention one of the richest elements of the story. The duality of Victor Frankenstein and its creation is obvious.
God creates “a perfect creature, happy and prosperous”, victor creates a monster who is “wretched, helpless, and alone”. God offers his creation “the especial care”, and “was allowed to converse with, and acquire knowledge from beings of a superior nature”. Victor “(forms) a monster so hideous that even (he) turned (him) in disgust.” Apparently, the monster is trying to make a contrast between him and “Adam”,Victor Frankenstein and “God”. From the monster’s pespective, he is simply trying to make his creator feel guilty by comparing him to another creator,”God”. However, from the author’s pespective, she is using a great deal of biblical symbolism to convey the theme of the story.
Since the time Francis Galton coined the term “Nature vs. Nurture” there has been theories and debates about each side. The debate is focused around the determining or causing factors of the differences in physical and behavioral traits within a human. Nature takes the role of the individual’s innate qualities while nurture bases itself upon personal experiences. Romantic literature is characterized by an emphasis on emotion, passion, and the natural world and gothic novels liked to play with the dark side of human nature and frailty. Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein shows elements of both aforementioned and woefully shows humans in nature and human nature.
Although perspectives and values change with time, ideas and concepts can transcend. In pursuit of knowledge and technology, society begins to lose a sense of humanity. The 1818 gothic novel, Frankenstein by Mary Shelley and 1982 science fiction film, Blade Runner directed by Ridley Scott although composed over one hundred years apart contain the same concepts on the nature of humanity. Through context and a variety of film and literary techniques both composers were able to convey their purpose of a cautionary warning about the consequences of playing
Compare how the treatment of similar content in a pair of texts composed in different times and contexts may reflect changing values and perceptives. Frankenstein, written by Mary Shelley and Blade Runner directed by Ridley Scott, both reflect the period industrially, socially and the technological revolution surrounding the time composition. Frankenstein and Blade Runner are products of their time with the values and ideas they represent and are understood within the historical context in which they were composed. Both texts explore and question various aspects of humanity, creation, nature, science and technology via a wide range of techniques characteristic to their medium of production. Frankenstein, written by Mary Shelley in 1818,
Victor Frankenstein vs. Prometheus Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein is referred to as “the Modern Prometheus,” because of numerous parallels in the two tales. Victor Frankenstein manages to create a semblance of man and give it life. However, Victor Frankenstein is an obsessive character and becomes so absorbed in creating his monster that he does not give pause to consider foresight. The doctor plays god not in giving something material but by giving his being life. Prometheus, a Greek God who is known to be the fire-stealer and life-giver, also tried to play god by creating man and giving them fire against Zeus’s commands.
Frankenstein was written by Mary Shelly at tender age of nineteen. The story is about Victor Frankenstein and his creation – The Monster. The setting of the story is during the Victorian / Romantic era that was in transitioning to industrial revolution. Victor Frankenstein is an ambitious young man who long to create “life”; however, he had ran away from it after he successes. The Monster, Victor Frankenstein’s creation, is large and ugly looking creature that was made of human corps; whom long for companionship of human.
Mary Shelley’s work of literature, Frankenstein, conveys her negative attitudes towards scientific issues of her time. With the use of Victor Frankenstein and the monster, Shelley is able to depict that the curiosity of science leads to negative impacts in society. Frankenstein is portrayed as a man full of interest in natural philosophy. Although his eager learning and experimenting for science is unlimited, he builds a monster that causes low credibility, betrayal and conviction for Frankenstein and those surrounding him. Fame being one of Frankenstein’s prime motive for creating a superhuman portrays that he does not realize his motive will cause low credibility.