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Quotes:

“Elizabeth was of a calmer and more concentrated disposition; but, with all my ardour, I was capable of a more intense application, and was more deeply smitten with the thirst for knowledge.” Pg 38 ch 2

“What had been the study and desire of the wisest men since the creation of the world was now within my grasp.” Pg 53

“The information I had obtained was of a nature rather to direct my endeavours so soon as I should point them towards the object of my search, then to exhibit that object already accomplished.” Pg 53

“...I resolved, contrary to my first intention, to make the being of a gigantic structure...” pg 54

“...my imagination was too exalted by my first success to permit me to sought to give life....” 54pg

“-a creature who seemed to shed radiance from her looks and whose form and motions were lighter then the chamois of the hills.”

“-that sweet child, whose smiles delighted and warmed my heart, who was so gentle, yet so gay!”

During the novel, true male ego is presented as being incompatible with benevolence. Frankenstein’s desire to create life, and be the first scientist to achieve such an accomplishment, results in the creation of Frankenstein’s Monster. This monster destroys what is considered pure and good within the novel; he murders Frankenstein’s younger brother and his sister/cousin/fiancé Elizabeth. During the text, these individuals, in particular Elizabeth, are seen as paragons of benevolence; Elizabeth is described as “shedding radiance” and having a “saintly soul,” and being the “living spirit of love to soften and attract.”

Further more, Frankenstein’s ego results in him expressing a sense of superiority over those that do not share his passion in the sciences, and those that are not as ambitions or intellectually adept.

Frankenstein may also be seen in the Freudian sense, as literally the ego in the Id, ego and super-ego. The monster represents the Id; unrestrained desires, animalistic brutality, and Frankenstein’s unconscious desires. One theory is that the monster killed Elizabeth as Elizabeth gave scarlet fever to his mother - within Freuds writings, he hypothesises that boys develop an attraction to their mothers; the Oedipus complex, hence Frankenstein’s need for vengeance. The super ego is represented by Frankenstein’s father and clerval, his best friend. The superego is an individuals morals and sense of what is correct. Clerval reminds victor to take care of himself after his illness, and prompts him to reconnect with his family. The Ego juggles the needs of both the Id and the superego - represented by Frankenstein, whose character is heavily flawed and gives into his desires, but also aims to do what is correct.

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Frankenstein is a criticism of the established social corder and Mary Shelley demonstrates that human injustice is caused by the fear of what is different.

The monster is victim of social injustice

- Monster suffers because people judge him due to his physical stature.

Felix turns him away because he thinks he’s a criminal based on his appearance. He’s also beaten by Felix despite not doing anything to harm him or his family.

- Causes him to become vindictive and miserable

- Victim of his circumstance

- Frankenstein is imprisoned and declared guilty of the death of his friend Clerval.

- Justine Moritz is killed for a crime she didn’t commit - Murder of William, Frankenstein’s brother.

- Frankenstein abandons his creation because of its appearance. This is unfair to the creature because he has not yet done anything wrong. He neglects the creature purely because he is afraid of his appearance.

“Here then I retreated and lay down happy to have found a shelter, however miserable, from the inclemency of the season, and still more from the barbarity of man”

- The villagers and others show injustice to the monster by throwing rocks at him and forcing him out of he village.

Shelley demonstrates the idea thst society itself is monstrous and that the monster is the mouthpiece in her crtique of oppresion and inequality in society. Due to his deformities, unusual appearance and absurd shape,the boys in the village stoned him, the villagers drove him out. His pure and good intention of seeking a friend was thought by the people to  not be worthy of consideration and his benevolence was completely disregarded.

Shelle demonstrates that society has crafted a monster with their prejudice and so the  monster kills because of society’s rejection, therefore, in a sense, society can be held accountable for the immoral actions of someone who they treated unjustly.

Justine is also a victim of the flawed justice system. Justine is wrongly imprisoned and exectuted for the murder of William.

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“A hell within me” Significant as victor and the creature say they exact same line - suggestion that they are one

“The fiend that lurks in my heart” This line suggests that the creature has come from within and is a representation of victors inner evil

For instance, they both become increasingly self-loathing with the creature crying “why did I live?” and Victor exclaiming he was “seized by remorse and the sense of guilt”.

Both find solace in nature, both have an innate connection to nature

Creature: “I was delighted when I first discovered that a pleasant sound, which saluted my ears, proceeded from the throat of little winged animals...” “I even raised my humid eyes with thankfulness towards the blessed sun, which bestowed such joy upon me”

Victor: “the sky became clouded; but the air was pure, although chilled by the north-east breeze that was then rising. But refreshed me, and filled me with such agreeable sensations”

“The abrupt sides of vast mountains were before me; the icy wall of the glacier overhung me... and the solemn silence of this glorious presence-chamber of imperial nature was broken only by the brawling waves...these sublime and magnificent scenes afforded me the greatest consolation that i was capable of receiving.”

Both wish to seek revenge against those who have wronged them

Victor: “When i reflected on his crime and malice, my hatred and revenge burst all bounds of moderation”

Creature: “No: from that moment I declared ever lasting war against  species.”
The Doppelgänger - a narrative device that permits the confrontation or division of the self, the violent encounter of the conscious and subconscious, or a haunting uncanny physical doubling.

Directly translated as ‘double goer’, the term Doppleganger was first introduced by Jean Paul in his 1796 novel Siebankas, and has since been extensively developed and examined, both as a theoretical concept and a narrative device.

The appearance of the Doppleganger invites much psychoanalytic investigation, as it is a figure that represents the externalisation of the repressed aspects of the human psyche.

Through the use of such a haunting Doppleganger, whose existence is inextricably linked to their own, characters are either allowed or forced to confront aspects of the self that they cannot or will not acknowledge.

The creature in Frankenstein, though referred to by his creator as ‘most hideous’ does in fact, function as a parodic mirror image of Frankenstein’.

They are both living in a ceaseless cycle that both corrupts and consumes the rest of the narrative world. The pervasive nature of their relationship is indicated by the manner in which the characters appear to continuously haunt one another.

Frankenstein, wandering aimlessly around the city streets in hope of evading the Creature, compares himself to Coleridge’s Mariner, because he too walks "in fear and dread,/...Because he knows a frightful fiend/Doth close behind him tread" (p.47). As Maria Mahoney argues, this specific state of fear, that there is constantly "someone or something behind you, an ominous adversary dogging your footsteps”is a direct result of a neglected Doppelgänger relationship, and thus also of the refusal of the self to acknowledge it’s darker counterpart.

There is a recurring suggestion of some hidden bond between the two, an obscure affection or at the very least, a longing for it.

Although the creature claims that all his own vicious crimes are born from a desire to destroy Frankenstein, Victors eventual death renders the creatures existence empty and meaningless.

Lingering in an ironic state of despair over his creator’s corpse, the Creature cries ‘oh, Frankenstein! Generous and self-devoted being! What does it avail that I now ask thee to pardon me?” (p.167). In the light of Frankenstein’s death, the creature resigns himself to death too, and in explaining so he aligns their being as if he himself were the final part of Frankenstein’s existence: “he is dead who called me into being; and when I shall be no more the very remembrance of us both shall speedily vanish” (p.169) + spiral into one against through death.

The monster is something completely internal that may be simply solipsism itself, or an unhappy form of narcissism, an aspect which Frankenstein cannot or will not come to terms.

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- Unlike his creator, the creature is clear and confident with what he wants. “You must create a female for me, with whom I can live in the interchange of those sympathies necessary for her being.”
- In comparison, Victor is not as open or as confident in his sexuality. His incestuaous thoughts about his sister Elizabeth are externalised by his creation of the monster in its horrid appearance. This is why the creation of the monster inspires Victor’s dream of his sister and mother. “I thought I saw Elizabeth in the bloom of health (...) I thought I became livid with the hue of death.”

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The theme of isolation in the novel

Isolation is represented as a recurring motif in the novel

Through the theme, Shelley illustrates how isolation is a destructive force, that weakens individuals and society as a whole.

Frankenstein and the creature ultimately suffer the negative consequences of being isolated from society.

Through the character’s journey in the novel, Shelly explores the way in which forced alienation and self imposed isolation has mental and physical consequences.

Frankenstein’s self imposed isolation

Frankenstein’s ambition and lust to acquire all knowledge drives him to isolate himself from his friends and family. His alienation from society is self-imposed

Victor rejects the family and friends who love him. He claims that this is necessary in order to pursue his quest for the secret of life. He chooses to completely separate himself from society in order to complete his research (at the beginning of the novel)

The sufferings of Victor is primarily caused by his alienation from society

His isolation from the loving people in his life causes him to become obsessed with his scientific research. As a result of this, he loses sight of the responsibilities he has to society.

Once he has learned that the creature is responsible for the death of his brother, he further isolates himself to protect his family and friends.

His isolated journey to destroy the creature, who happens to be on a path of destruction, ultimately leads to his own demise.

“Feelings which made me neglect the scenes around me caused also to forget those friends who were so many miles absent, and whom I had no seen for so long time”

This quote from Frankenstein is revealing for how Frankenstein chose to neglect and isolate himself for such long periods of time, while he worked on his scientific research. As a result he suffers from feelings of loneliness and detachment, which consequently have an emotional impact on him.

Victor alienates the Creature

Once Victor realises the horrid appearance of his creation he fled in fear after he created him → leaving creation alone without any understanding of the world he was brought into

Victor’s disgust at the creature is shown in the quote “I had desired it with an ardour that far exceed moderation; but now I had finished, the beauty of the dream vanished, and breathless horror and disgust filled my heart.”

Furthermore the creature asks for Victor to create a companion similar to himself so he can be freed from his isolation that Victor as caused as a result of rejecting him

“My companion must be same species and have same defects”  the quote demonstrates the creature’s urge for another like him so he is no longer in seclusion since humanity won’t accept him as a result of his terrible appearance

Victor denies him the opportunity of freedom from his alienation further embedding the creature in isolation a destructive decision since it can be seen as the catalyst for the creatures need for revenge/turn to evil

“Shall I create another like yourself, whose joint wickedness might desolate the world...you may torture me, but I will never consent,” The language used “torture” describes the extent to which Victor is opposed to manufacturing another creation, it exposes the degree to which he despise the creation.

Thus, Victor alienates the monster by abandoning the creature on the day of his formation, leaving him alone in a world unknown to him

Additionally Victor rejects his proposal/solution to free him from the isolation and remoteness he is suffering and therefore further implants the monster in seclusion from society and mankind

Creature’s isolation from society

From the moment the creature was created he didn‘t experience any sort of kindness or benevolence from his creator who fled, due to the sole reason that he was hideous and monstrous, which reveals its isolation from society

Due to his traumatic experience of coming into the world abandoned, alone and confused, the creature has no one to help or guide him in “I had never yet seen a being resembling me, or who claimed any intercourse with me. What was I?.

This experience has led him to not even recognise what he is, which makes him feel even more isolated, as human infants come to understand their identity by being surrounded by humans, although the creature has no one else like him

This has led to his loneliness and isolation from society where his desire for companionship and love was returned with scorn and hatred from others due to their fear of the horrendous appearance of the creature

This expresses the extreme cruelty of living a life of complete loneliness and isolation, to the point where the creature comments that “Satan had his companions, fellow devils, to admire and encourage him; but i am solitary and aborred”, where a figure that is viewed as the embodiment of evil was still not sentenced to live completely alone, where the creature, innocent and warm hearted was

The monster turns vengeful not because its evil, but because isolation fills it with overwhelming hate and anger

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The monstrous and the human - Ellyn & Caitlin

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The monstrous and the human - Ellyn & Caitlin

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Victor Frankenstein and the monster serve as symbols of mans imperfection. Both characters demonstrate the positives and negatives of the human mind, even the monster as he’s constructed to somewhat replicate a ‘human’.

Similarities
- Victor creates the monster to be like himself.  He doesn’t plan to create the monster like him but the monsters becomes very much like Victor.

-“God, in pity, made man beautiful and alluring, after his own image; but my form is a filthy types of yours, more horrid even from the very resemblance”
- The monster does not resemble Victor physically; instead, they share the same personalities.

-The anger of both Victor and the monster is brought about by society

-One more parallel between Victor  and the monster  is that they became recluses
-Both have a passionate vengeance
-Solace in nature

Differences
-The monster emphasises the importance of relationships in his quest to gain affection
-The monster suffers from rejection and loneliness - “one hand was stretched out, seemingly to detain me, but I escaped and rushed down stairs.
-Victor has the love and support of his family and his friends; “nothing could equal my delight on seeing Clerval; his presence brought back to my thoughts....all those scenes at home so dear to my recollection. I grasped his hand, and ... I felt suddenly and for the first time during many months, calm and serene joy
-Monsters has to deal with violence whilst victor has to battle illness

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HEALING POWER OF NATURE

Throughout the novel, nature evidently has the capacity to restore and heal

Helps characters find peace and tranquility in their lives

For example, after the creation of the monster Victor is delirious and depressed, but finds pleasure in nature , “it was during an access of this kind that I suddenly left my home, and bending my steps towards the near Alpine Valleys, sought in the magnificence, the eternity of such scenes, to forget myself and me ephemeral, because human, sorrows”

Frees his mind to oppressive memories

Nature has the capacity to heal and refresh the soul - Shelly describes many natural landscapes to be beautiful and majestical which can transport the soul to another place and time

“By degrees the calm and heavenly scene restored me, and I continued my journey towards Geneva” - after William died

Restores the monster:

When rejected he retreats to nature for protection

Eventually uses nature to isolate himself when he discovers that he cannot be accepted by human kind

Uses nature to reflect mood: eg the monster retreats to areas of ice to reflect his isolation emotionally and physically

“Even broken in spirit as he is, no one can feel more deeply than he does the beauties of nature. The starry sky, the sea, and every sight afforded by these wonderful regions, seems still to have the power of elevating his soul from earth.” - Frankenstein immensely appreciates the
natural landscape and is still able to admire its beauty even though he has experienced immense suffering which has ultimately altered his view of the world

Victor often immediately seeks solace in nature after traumatic experiences such as the death of family members

The natural scenery helps to diminish feelings of sadness and grief, whilst renewing hope

NATURE AND SCIENCE

Shelley describes nature as beautiful and consoling - her goal is to represent the superiority of nature to all things man made

Mountains, forests, rivers etc. are hailed for their beauty, whereas the monster represents man made creations (brought to life through advanced scientific knowledge) which brings destruction and despair

Nature reacts with vengeance when mistreated - eg the immoral action of Victor bringing life to an inanimate being

Bringing life to the dead goes against the natural flow of nature, which evidently results in disastrous consequences

When scientists interfere with nature, something hideous is created

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FAMILY AND MARY SHELLY
The author Mary Shelly had a difficult family background. She lost maternal love since she was born and experienced the death of the children three times. Mary Shelly takes inspiration from her own family , full of death and pain of losing relatives for Frankenstein as a novel

Shelly demonstrates the concept of a family and what constitutes a family, it is a reflection of society's social structure and not only humans but even monsters desire of social acceptance, wellbeing and love

FAMILY AND VICTOR

The first few chapters of the novel focus on Victors early childhood, revealing the love, affection, support and praise he received from his family from the moment he was born, unlike the monster

“No human being could have passed a happier childhood than myself. My parents were possessed by the very spirit of kindness and indulgence. We felt that they were not the tyrants to rule our lot according to their caprice, but the agents and creators of all the many delights which we enjoyed. When I mingled with other families I distinctly discerned how peculiarly fortunate my lot was, and gratitude assisted the development of filial love.” (2.3)

The contrast between the loving upbringing of Victor and isolating and lonely birth of the monster suggest that family plays an important role in development of personality

"My mother’s tender caresses and my father’s smile of benevolent pleasure while regarding me, are my first recollections. I was their play thing and their idol, and something better- their child, the innocent and helpless creature bestowed on them by heaven”

Victor had a nurturing mother and father and a praising family life

FAMILY AND FRANKENSTEIN
In the beginning of Frankenstein's recounting story, he explains the isolation he encountered when he spent months creating the monster, and how his family expressed concern with his health. However, once Victor gives birth to the monster, he instantly rejects him, running from him. With this rejection and maternal deprivation, the once gentle monster who craved love, affection and acceptance is turned into an evil social outcast, who sets out to ensure Victor endures the pain he felt at his rejection, including the murder of his multiple family members.

“When I looked around I saw and heard of none like me. Was I, a monster, a blot upon the earth from which all men fled and whom all men disowned?”

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Prior emotions to birth of monster

driven by ambition

Had a lust to be a creator/god-like being

Blinded to immoral actions he doing

Didn’t realise that his obsession with infusing life into an inanimate body was fundamentally wrong

So consumed in his profession

“A new species would bless me as its creator + source”

The Monster: Characterisation

Assembled from old body parts and chemicals

Tries to integrate into society but is shunned for his grotesque appearance

The character of the monster introduces the theme of monstrosity

He is a product not of collaborative scientific effort but of dark, supernatural workings.

Creator vs Creation

The creator learns to read and tries to make sense of his life through stories, such as the creation story in the bible

He compares Frankenstein creating him to God creating adam

He is angry he wasn’t given the opportunity for a relationship or sympathy from his creator

The creature wanted companionship and acceptance but finds it is not possible because of the way he looks and instead his creator turns into his arch enemy

Creatures feelings after reading Frankenstein’s journal entry “everything is related... the minutest description of my odious and loathsome person is given, in language which painted your own horrors and rendered mine indelible. I sickened as I read... why did you form a monster so hideous that even you turn from me in disgust?”

Eternally Alone

The creature begins with feelings of kindness towards humans, but he realises he will forever be seperate from people because he will never be accepted

"Shall I respect man when he condemns me? Let him live with me in the interchange of kindness, and instead of injury I would bestow every benefit upon him with tears of gratitude... but that cannot be”

Change in emotion subsequent to monster

“But now that I had finished, the beauty of the dream vanished, and breathless horror + disgust filled my heart”

^ ‘beauty’ refers to concept of him as a creature (god-like) glory of creating life

^ ‘disgust’ refers to now he has to nurture and look after it

Immediately repulsed by creation > realised it’s morally wrong

Strived for perfection + didn’t achieve = disappointment

“One hand was stretched out, seemingly to detain me”

^ irresponsible, misunderstood to actions of nurturing

The dream

foreshadowing to future events in the novel

Turns the vibrant woman he cherishes into a horrific image of death

“But as I imprinted the first kiss on her lips they became livid to the hue of death, and i thought that I held the dead corpse of my mother in my arms, a shroud enveloped her form, and I saw the grave worms crawling in the fold of her flannel”

Ironic - not created life, created death

He changed natural order of life

Symbolic

May be a symbol of the parent - child relationship: It grows up nameless, unloved + moral lesson to parents of their obligation to their children

^ recalls Shelley’s own tragedies losing her mother + growing up alone

Symbolic of human nature, an argument against original sin

Creatures rage is only directed at those connected to Frankenstein - or others who have hurt him

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In your small group, identify and explore the main issues in the novel. For example, ambition and playing God.