Frankenstein: The Monster Within
Episode 75, Aug 16, 2023, 09:49 AM
"Frankenstein" by Mary Shelley is a Gothic novel that tells the story of Victor Frankenstein, a young scientist who becomes obsessed with creating life. He successfully brings to life a creature, but upon seeing its monstrous appearance, he abandons it in horror.
The creature, rejected by society and desperately seeking acceptance, experiences profound loneliness and develops a deep resentment towards its creator. As the creature seeks revenge against Victor, he faces the consequences of his actions and grapples with guilt and moral dilemmas.
The novel explores themes such as the ethics of scientific exploration, the limits of human ambition, and the effects of isolation and rejection. It raises questions about what it means to be human and the responsibility we have towards our creations.
Chapter 1:Why is he called Frankenstein
In Mary Shelley's novel, the character known as "Frankenstein" is actually the scientist, Victor Frankenstein. The confusion arises from the common misconception that the name refers to the creature he creates. However, the monster is never given an official name in the novel.
The reason why people often refer to the creature as "Frankenstein" is due to popular culture and adaptations of the story. Over time, the name "Frankenstein" has become synonymous with the monster itself, even though it is technically incorrect.
In the novel, Victor Frankenstein is a young scientist who creates the creature through his experiments. He is referred to as "Frankenstein" because it is his family name. The novel focuses on Victor's moral struggles and the consequences of his actions rather than solely on the creature he brings to life.
Chapter 2:Frankenstein summary
"Frankenstein" by Mary Shelley is a gothic novel that tells the story of Victor Frankenstein, a brilliant and ambitious scientist. The novel is framed as a series of letters written by an Arctic explorer named Robert Walton.
The story begins with Walton's encounter with Victor, who is found stranded on the ice. Victor shares his tragic tale with Walton, recounting his childhood in Geneva and his passionate pursuit of knowledge and science. As a young student, Victor becomes obsessed with the idea of creating life, driven by a desire to conquer death and unlock the secrets of existence.
Victor succeeds in his experiment and brings to life a creature assembled from various body parts. However, he is horrified by the monstrous appearance of his creation and flees in fear and disgust. The abandoned creature wanders alone, experiencing rejection and isolation from society due to its grotesque appearance.
Seeking revenge against Victor for abandoning him, the creature kills those closest to him, including Victor's younger brother William, his best friend Henry Clerval, and later, his bride Elizabeth Lavenza. Overwhelmed by guilt and grief, Victor becomes determined to destroy the creature.
Victor's pursuit of the creature takes him across Europe, leading to encounters with other characters who are affected by the monster's actions. In a final confrontation in the Arctic, Victor falls gravely ill and dies. The creature, filled with remorse and loneliness, appears one last time to mourn Victor's death and expresses its intention to end its own life.
The novel concludes with Walton reflecting on the tragic consequences of Victor's ambition and the moral lessons he has learned from his encounter with both Victor and the creature.
"Frankenstein" explores themes such as the dangers of unchecked ambition, the ethical boundaries of scientific exploration, the consequences of societal rejection, the search for identity and companionship, and the complexities of responsibility and accountability.
Overall, "Frankenstein" is a cautionary tale that raises profound questions about the human condition, the moral implications of creating life, and the consequences of neglecting ethical responsibilities.
Chapter 3:Frankenstein Author
The author of "Frankenstein" is Mary Shelley. She was born on August 30, 1797, in London, England, and was the daughter of renowned writers Mary Wollstonecraft and William Godwin. Shelley began writing "Frankenstein" when she was just 18 years old, and the novel was first published anonymously in 1818.
Mary Shelley's life was marked by tragedy and loss. She suffered the death of her mother shortly after her birth and later lost her husband, the poet Percy Bysshe Shelley, to a drowning accident. Despite these hardships, Mary Shelley continued to write and publish other works throughout her life.
"Frankenstein" remains her most famous and enduring work, often regarded as a seminal piece of Gothic literature and science fiction. The novel explores themes such as ambition, responsibility, ethical boundaries, and the consequences of unchecked scientific experimentation. It continues to captivate readers with its exploration of profound human dilemmas and moral questions.
Mary Shelley's contributions to literature extend beyond "Frankenstein." She wrote other novels, short stories, and essays, and was also an editor and biographer. Although she faced challenges and criticism during her lifetime, her literary legacy has solidified her place as one of the pioneering authors of the Romantic era.