Most critics have received the novel as an amalgamation of the gothic novel with elements of the Romantic Movement. A lot has also been written on the subject of Frankenstein from a Freudian psychoanalytic perspective because of the complexity of the characters and the thought processes that drive their actions. This essay attempts to analyze the Freudian element present in Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein and draws a parallel between the Freudian psychoanalytic approach and motives in the novel. Sigmund Freud was one of the most renowned psychologists of all time and introduced the concept of psychoanalysis to the world. There has always been a lot of debate regarding his theories and their validity.
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.
Fred V. Randel’s text elaborates upon Mary Shelley’s underlying intention for each choice of location for every specific plot point or event in Frankenstein. He relates places with significant value with real life historical events and happenings from the past. Randel explains that Shelley strategically placed each homicide and murder committed in an explicit locale to illustrate its historical importance. He argues that it is through these settings and the significance they possess in the past, that she is able to further deepen and expand Frankenstein’s gothic theme. Randel develops meaning behind the places of Ingolstadt and the Northern Lights, Geneva, England and Scotland, Ireland and Evian to prove his thesis of the importance of political geography.
Allusions: Deepening the Reader’s Thoughts An allusion is a rhetorical device that makes a reference to a literary work that is outside the text being read. Mary Shelley's novel Frankenstein provides many examples of literary devices, including allusions. Allusions are also used to further explain things that normally would have insufficient information in the text itself. Whether it's another novel, poem, or myth, Shelley’s utilization of allusions relates the characters in Frankenstein to the characters in the referenced works, deepening the reader's understanding. The complete title of Shelley's unique book is Frankenstein: Or, The Modern Prometheus.
Analyse the ways in which a comparative study of Frankenstein and Blade Runner invites consideration of humanity’s connection with the natural world. (Natural Order) An inextricable link can be drawn between ‘Frankenstein’, a gothic novel composed by Mary Shelley and Ridley Scott’s film noir Blade Runner, where both texts invites the consideration of humanity’s connection with the natural world. In both texts nature is highly valued and is considered necessary for a fruitful society, however each text explores humanities treatment of nature in diverse ways, due to the context and didactic purpose of each text. The ways in which the connection between humanity and the natural world has been explored include: natures healing power, usurping natural order and the consequences of disregarding nature. Both ‘Frankenstein’ and Blade Runner invite the consideration of humanity’s strong connection with the natural world as being essential for a lively and successful society.
The Warning Behind the Doppelganger Effect Most novels aren't just written solely for the purpose of entertainment, but are written to reach out an audience; to transmit a message or an opinion. Mary Shelley writes an allegory about man and technology, and she does so through the use of the doppelganger effect by applying it to the two main characters in the narrative Victor, and his creation. A doppelganger relationship between two characters can be identified through three distinct forms of application, the doubles, the complements, and the opposites (The Context of Frankenstein). Through the use of the complement and the double, the relationship between Victor and the monster reflects the actual connection of Man and technology and exemplifies the destructive outcome it leads to when a limit is exceeded. Victor and the creature at points seem to complement the opposite qualities of one another, meaning that one has what the other lacks.
Throughout most literature, there are commonalities. These commonalities, often called literary elements are used to describe the different parts that make up a story. Mary Shelley, the author of Frankenstein intricately weaves these different elements together to create the story as we know it. The different elements that make up Frankenstein, or any story really, are setting, character, plot, conflict, resolution, point of view, tone, and theme. The setting, probably the most subtle, but also most profound, of the different elements in Frankenstein, actually plays a very important role in setting the mood.
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.
Both have a significant impact on her and her respected society. Firstly the medium in which Shelley constructed her ideas was through novel. This was the most common medium of the time. Shelley created a hybrid text combining gothic literature and science fiction into one to create an allegory to her society, warning the people not to stray into the science field and retain a constant connection to god. It is through Romanticism that we see Shelley convey the importance of nature.
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.