Historical Context - Why "Frankenstein"? by Chelsea Aryeetey

Who?

caryeetey1 — 2023-12-06 22:03:59 UTC

originated from Greek mythology
depicts the story of a Greek god -- one of the Titans
- He loved humanity...too much.
  - stole and introduced fire, knowledge, metal-work, & technology to humans
    - resulted in dangerous conflict with Zeus, the mighty and cruel chief of the Olympian gods
      - bound him with chains & sent an eagle to eat Prometheus' immortal liver every day, which grew back every night
      - Heracles, with Zeus' permission, killed the eagle and freed Prometheus from this torment later on

Influence on Frankenstein

caryeetey1 — 2023-12-06 22:04:50 UTC

Prometheus stole a forbidden gift predominantly associated with the gods & used it.
- Victor Frankenstein creates life, which is a gift that's predominantly correlated to the gods; it's something only the gods usually give.
Prometheus is punished for his behavior.
- Victor Frankenstein's loved ones are murdered as a direct "punishment" for attempting to create life.

Intelligence

egutierrez1510 — 2023-12-11 22:21:41 UTC

Mary Shelley was immersed in discussions on science and philosophy due to her father's circle of intellectuals. This environment likely influenced the character of Victor Frankenstein, who represents the archetype of a brilliant but morally misguided scientist driven by a relentless pursuit of knowledge.
The scientific advancements of the time, including experiments on galvanism and discussions on the nature of life, were prevalent in Mary Shelley's environment and contributed to the creation of the story's central theme—man's obsession with playing god and the ethical implications of scientific exploration.

John Locke

aionov2 — 2023-12-11 22:22:41 UTC

John Locke's ideas of Natural Rights, Tabula Rosa, limits on human knowledge and power, as well as the ideas of self-identity. Mary Shelley explores the ideas: of natural rights through the debate of whether the monster deserved rights and by taking them away humans were met with zealous retribution; Tabula Rosa and how the monster is born or created with no knowledge at all, as a clean slate; limits on human knowledge as Victor's unchecked ambition and pursuit of knowledge had drastic consequences.

Death

egutierrez1510 — 2023-12-13 05:26:00 UTC

Mary Shelley experienced the death of her mother, Mary Wollstonecraft, shortly after her birth. This absence of a maternal figure possibly contributed to the theme of parental abandonment in "Frankenstein," where Victor Frankenstein abandons his creation, the Creature, leading to tragic consequences.
Shelley suffered the loss of several children, reflecting the theme of loss and the anguish felt by Victor Frankenstein when his creation causes the deaths of his loved ones.

Ideals

egutierrez1510 — 2023-12-13 05:34:41 UTC

Mary Shelley's parents, especially her mother, Mary Wollstonecraft, were influential figures in the realms of feminism and social reform. Wollstonecraft's ideas on equality and societal injustices likely influenced Mary Shelley's portrayal of the Creature's struggles for acceptance in a prejudiced society, emphasizing themes of societal injustice and the search for belonging.

Jean-Jacques Rousseau

aionov2 — 2023-12-15 20:59:09 UTC

Jean-Jacques Rousseau believed in natural goodness, the influence of society, the importance of nurturing, and the topic of alienation. Mary Shelley represents natural goodness as the creature is born unknowing and innocent, and is only corrupted by the influence of society and the alienation that he experienced. These influences nurtured his hatred for society which was not his primary nature.

John Milton

aionov2 — 2023-12-15 22:11:25 UTC

John Milton expressed the ideas of Creation and Rebellion, Ambition and Hubris, Sympathy for the Devil, and Moral and Ethical Questions throughout "Paradice Lost," which Mary Shelley portrays through various aspects and excerpts throughout her story. Victor represents the rebellion against the natural law of order through his ambitions, and we gain sympathy for the creature who calls himself the devil through his monologues of being alienated by society. Throughout the story, Mary Shelley raises ethical and moral questions regarding the monster's creation and the murder of innocent people.

Dr. Erasmus Darwin

aionov2 — 2023-12-15 22:21:44 UTC

Dr. Erasmus Darwin, was a prominent physician, naturalist, and grandfather of Charles Darwin. While he lived before the time of the creation of Frankenstein, many of his ideas on the spontaneous generation of life and his speculations about the transformative power of electricity inspired and influenced the context of the book. His ideas as well as his experiments on dead bodies formed the basis of the character of Victor.

Time Period and Romanticism

aionov2 — 2023-12-18 20:13:30 UTC

During the period of Frankesteins creation the world was quickly advancing scientifically and politically up-heaving previous beliefs and values. Mary Shelley's exposure to scientific theories and ethical discussions along with what was going on in the world provided the basis for the setting of Frankenstein. While the time period shaped the setting the ideas of Romanitcism such as the emphasis on emotion and the individual shaped the characters. Both Victor and his creation exude complex emotions and both are emphasized as individuals either through alienation or the loss of others.