To force the reader to actively engage in the text, Shelley uses a fallible narrator unlike the traditional novel. Using the theme of ambition in the opening letters, foreshadows the fact that this theme will continue throughout the novel when we see this with Walton and Victor, such as when Walton says, “I am in good spirits: my men are bold …nor do the sheets of floating ice…appear to dismay them”. We view Walton as a sort of Romantic hero, obsessed and driven by his ambition and isn’t considering others. This portrays the extent Walton will go to gain knowledge yet isn’t considering the possible consequences. This may be deliberate to highlight Walton and Frankenstein character parallel and both their thirsts for knowledge.
Man’s liberal rights and the nature of humanity are also prevalent and are further reflective of the issues concerning society at the time. Shelley challenges the idea of the creative genius being a driving force in the progression of humanity, reflective of society’s concerns for potential harm to emerge from over-reaching. Victor Frankenstein plays the role of the over-reaching protagonist who desired “to become greater than his nature will allow.” Shelley conveys the concerns in pursuing knowledge that mere mortals should not possess. Victor longs to “penetrate the secrets of nature” discovering the astonishing power of “bestowing animation on lifeless matter.” This idea draws on the novel’s subtitle, “The Modern Prometheus” with Victor taking the metaphoric “fire” from the God’s and having to suffer the consequences. The novel, like “The Rime of the Ancient Mariner” serves as a cautionary tale.
‘Frankenstein is not merely intended to entertain; there are messages Shelley wants the reader to recognise.’ Mary Shelley did not just write ‘Frankenstein’ to entertain the audience but there are certain morals that she wants the readers to be understand; in particular, the pursuit of knowledge and responsibility. Knowledge is power but it can also be dangerous in the wrong hands. Everyone is responsible for their own actions and certain roles expect certain responsibilities. ‘Frankenstein’ was written as a result of a proposal by Lord Byron. Shelley and some others were to write and tell a horror story.
The desire to acquire knowledge and the intense passion for research and study is evident throughout the novel. It seems to be evidently demonstrated through the three narrators (Victor Frankenstein, Walden, and the Monster. This proves dangerous as the novel progresses since Victor’s creation eventually subsides in the destruction of everyone he comes to know and love. Walton is the in a really unstable situation as his jeopardy comes to be apparent. Frankenstein's goal of obtaining knowledge is not bad a bad idea at face value, although the way he progresses to use it by creating the Monster proved to become extremely dangerous
Going on a dangerous and life threatening quest to find one important thing, testing the courage and bravery of one to change things for the good. The books The Hobbit and Frankenstein both have a plot along that line. Both books have quite a bit in common, such as setting, plot and themes. But there is a concept that is almost identical to each other, and that is the main characters. They both come from completely different worlds with Bilbo being a hobbit and Victor being a human.
“A deeper understanding of core human values emerges through consideration of the relationship between Frankenstein and Blade runner”. The timeless significance of the value of love and some it’s many subsidiaries – kindness, generosity, compassion, humility and respect – emerges strongly in an in-depth study of the relationship between Mary Shelley’s ‘Frankenstein’ (1818) and Ridley Scott’s ‘Blade Runner’ (1992). Both of these texts examine the damaging consequences to individuals and society when there are those amongst us whose work is primarily underpinned by personal hubris and scientific ambition rather than love, respect and compassion. There are particular times in history when the potential of technological progress offer human beings opportunities to extend the borders of what has been considered scientifically possible and it is in times like these that values like love and humility should guide progress. ‘Frankenstein’ was written at one such critical time in human development: the Industrial Revolution was reaching its peak, achieving a range of technological feats never yet before imagined, creating the space for individuals to experiment endlessly with the possibilities of development.
All political programmers create their reactions in the lives of the people, who eventually fashion the course of future politics in their human way. That is why Stephen Spender states that... ....the writer who refuses to recognize the political nature of the age must to some extent bare fusing to deal with an experience in which he himself is involved. 27 (Stephen, Spender: 1953, 215) All these considerations prove that one way or the other the writer and politics are knotted with one another in their communication with the public, without being emphatic or narrow about commitments. Wolfgang Iser holds that, unlike philosophies or ideologies, literature does not make its selections and its decision clear. Instead its selections or records the signals of outside reality in such a way that the reader himself is to find the motives underlying the questions, and in doing so he
Some may say that the monster had an evil spirit or and evil nature. However, if Frankenstein would have stayed with the monster he still would have been able to teach him good from evil and probably been able to change his evil nature. That brings us back to our theme. Nurture is a very powerful thing that every living thing needs. What are some of the moments where vivid sensory details and descriptions work well?
Walton’s ship eventually came across a very intriguing character, Victor Frankenstein. He made it clear that he would only board the ship if they headed north. Walton then learns more about the fire fuelling Frankenstein’s resolute desire. Frankenstein’s journey for knowledge led to a life of misery. Upon meeting
Shelly suggests science is dangerous because of the enticing discovery of creation, striving for the ability to interchange death to life. She shows this enticement by Dr. Frankenstein’s utter infatuation with his occupation, he finds himself “engaged, heart and soul, in the pursuit of some [new] discoveries.” Shelly displays the thought of science to be problematic when Dr. Frankenstein confesses that “I knew well, therefore, what would be my father’s feelings; but I could not tear my thoughts from my employment, loathsome in itself, but which had taken an irresistible hold of my imagination.” Shelly shows that Dr. Frankenstein is so enticed by the thought of restoring life upon the dead, that he