...novel Frankenstein, Victor and his creature were very miserable. They didn't have much human companionship, and they were obsessed with revenge. They often suffered from loneliness, and felt extreme sadness. But the pains they suffered didn't just appear out of the blue. Victor was miserable and obsessed with revenge due to the losses of his loved ones and his hideous monster, while the creature was miserable and revengeful due to his loneliness, and Victor's broken promise of creating him a female. Victor was very happy studying at university. He studied the one thing he loved most, natural philosophy. The knowledge he gained gave him the desire to create a human.Victor created this human by gathering only the best body parts he could...
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...Only the Lonely Frankenstein is Mary Shelley's most notable piece of work, written when she was only eighteen years old. The novel explores the theme of loneliness and rejection. The monster created by Victor Frankenstein is rejected by human society because of his appearance. Mary Shelley explores the feelings of how the creature is utterly ignored and abused by the society. I believe the novel became a reflection of the inner state of Mary Shelly. It reflects sufferings and loses that occurred in the own authors life. As notes Anthony Badalamenti in his article Why did Mary Shelley Write Frankenstein: “She was also the product of her own past, suffering three successive losses in her early life that reveal why themes of being alone and abandoned run through the novel”(Badalamenti, 431). All these sad events and constant feeling of loneliness helped Mary to create a very deep and powerful character. Victor does not think about possible results of his experiments. He does not think what will happen when he finally succeeds and created a living creature. He is severely punished by his attitude when the creature created by him turns into a monster. Shelley illustrates that the guilt for murders can not be put only on Frankenstein's creation. Society and social norms finally result in the feeling of loneliness and estrangement. “The monster complains that his maker and mankind are moving his nature from goodness and benevolence to wrath and violence. He attempts the company of...
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...Brett Jacobs March 24, 2014 Mrs. Zink English III Loving Frankenstein When reading most books today people are likely to compare what happens in the book to their real life experiences. Readers do this frequently in many different kinds of books from horror novels to love stories. While reading the novel Frankenstein, though it may not be the first thing on a readers mind, after being done with the novel people cant resist the urge to go back and understand the relationships between many of the main characters and why some of the characters did what they did. Mary Shelley the author of Frankenstein is known for creating relationships in novels and either leaving them unexplained or making the reader question what she was trying to reveal about society and its shortcoming though a specific characters relationship. While reading Frankenstein this happened many times with multiple relationships such as the one between Elizabeth and Victor, Victor and the monseter or the monster and society. Almost every character revealed speaks to the most inner thoughts people have. Throughout the novel Frankenstein, the reader comes to understand the human condition in many ways. In this particular novel, many times loneliness comes into effect and changes how the character acts and reacts to each other and their surroundings. When Elizabeth is first introduced into the book she is portrayed as a lonely character. She is an orphan and seems to have a assortment of problems and never to...
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...Throughout Frankenstein by Mary Shelly, the theme of loneliness and isolation can be seen through the characters Victor Frankenstein and the Monster as well as some smaller role characters Robert Walton, Elizabeth and Safie through each of their experiences in life. A key character in the book, Victor Frankenstein is depicted multiple times as suffering through loneliness and isolation in his young life, his career and from the aftermath of his decisions. The Monster as well is depicted going through the struggle of loneliness as soon as his creation, all the way to his death. Robert Walton can be seen suffering loneliness on his journey to the north while Elizabeth and Safie can be seen suffering through loneliness in their lives. Through these characters the theme of loneliness and isolation is seen in each of their stories. A key character in the book Victor Frankenstein can be seen suffering through the constant theme of loneliness brought on by others but many times him. The first time in the book where Victor feels the suffering of loneliness is when his mother dies before he sets off to school in Ingolstadt. When hearing the news of his mother’s death he is quite shocked and come to a tough realization, “I, who had ever been surrounded by amiable companions...was now alone. In the university...I must form my own friends and be my own protector” (34). Victor had always been cared for by his parents and now with his mother gone and him moving to a new place made him feel...
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...Prompt 2: Victor Frankenstein is more alienated than the monster he creates. Frankenstein by Mary Shelley, written during the Romantic period, tells the story of Victor Frankenstein, whose hunger for knowledge of the scientific universe drives him to create a human monster. Throughout the novel, Frankenstein describes his experiences with the monster to Robert Walton as horrifying and frightening. Shelley successfully demonstrates the Romantic concept of focusing on the self through the nature of the monster and Frankenstein, as well as through nature itself. Though both the monster and Frankenstein elicit forms of isolation, Frankenstein’s memories and experiences with his family and decision in toying with science and nature proves him more alienated than the monster he creates. Frankenstein’s memories and experiences with his family prove him more alienated than the monster. When Frankenstein receives a letter from his cousin, Elizabeth, she writes: “My dearest Cousin, you have been ill, very ill, and even the constant letters of dear Kind Henry are not sufficient to reassure me on your account” (Shelley 48). Elizabeth expresses concern for Frankenstein’s health, giving him a sense of love and care. Because Frankenstein holds a special connection to Elizabeth, someone he loves dearly, the thought of losing her terrifies him. Frankenstein’s bond to Elizabeth makes the monster’s murdering of her overwhelming and horrifying...
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...In Mary Shelly’s novel Frankenstein: The Modern Prometheus, Shelley alludes to many other pieces of work such as Rime of the Ancient Mariner and biblical stories such as Paradise Lost constantly throughout the book. All of these allusions carry a compelling meaning between Frankenstein and the other literary work. Shelley’s reasoning for using various pieces of literature in her novel was to compare the characters in her novel to the other characters in the other works. The main characters in Shelley’s novel all portray other characters form the literary works in a way due to their actions and thinking. Frankenstein alludes to the literary works of Prometheus, Paradise Lost, and Rime of the Ancient Mariner to emphasize the certain actions that occur in the novel and how they are similar to the alluded works. All of these allusions provide insight to the actions of the characters and the characters in general. Many of the literary pieces alluded to in the novel are referenced by the protagonists in the story. In fact, the monster is taught how to speak by reading Paradise Lost, after stealing it and through this; he learns the concept of good and evil. The characters are aware of these works and realize that their actions are similar to those of the characters in the other literary works. All of the literary works deal with great tragedy but the protagonists in Frankenstein don’t seem to realize that even though they are acting a lot like the other characters in the literary...
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...In Frankenstein by Mary Shelley, Dr. Frankenstein creates life like God did in the Bible when he created Adam. God created Adam from mud while Dr. Frankenstein created his “demon” from dead body parts. God also gave his creation intelligence; immortality and domination over other creatures while Dr. Frankenstein could only provide immortality. In today’s society people are trying to possess the ability of creation and cloning which are privileges no human should have. In the Bible God created life with mud where no life existed, and gave Adam the Garden of Eden so that he could live for eternity with everything he could ever want. However, it was inevitable that Adam would eat from the tree of knowledge, therefore, obtaining vast knowledge...
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...story itself is something from the darker side of the mind, playing into just how terrible a human is capable of being without the restraint of ethics, morals or true human compassion. The monster epitomizes the darkest sides of our nature in his simple lack of morality or concern for human life. Perhaps Frankenstein has remained so popular for the many pieces of human nature that it shows...
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...Throughout the novel, Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein proposes the parallel between monster and man, and the raises the question as who is the real monster; Victor Frankenstein or the monster he created. In passage A, Mary Shelley conveys that man and monster are not entirely different and rather the real monster is essentially mankind. In this case, Shelley uses specific word choices, along with character development and parallels to demonstrate that man and monster are indistinguishable. In the following passage, Mary Shelley’s choice of words and characterization indicates that man and monster are along the same spectrum. Robert Walton writes, “My affection for my guest increases every day. He excites at once my admiration and my pity to an astonishing degree. How can I see so noble a creature destroyed by misery without feeling the most poignant grief?” (Shelley 12-13). The idea that Walton addresses Victor Frankenstein as a “noble creature” is crucial in identifying as to what is considered to be human. He addresses Victor as a creature with understanding, and “gentle, yet so wise; his mind cultivated…” (Shelley 13). Mary Shelley associates man as creature; creature with intelligence, feelings, and innocence. This pinpoints to the idea that man is monster. In addition, the passage sets up the scene for the telling of Victor’s narrative. Mary Shelley uses Walton’s character as an introduction whose story parallels that of Frankenstein’s. In the second letter, Walton addresses...
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...Frankenstein, by Mary Shelley and ‘Bladerunner’, directed by Ridley Scott both present similar perspectives to humanities use of technology, despite being set more than 150 years apart. The contexts are different, yet the values and issues remain the same. Both Shelley and Scott explore what seemed possible at the time. The idea of creating life seemed possible at the time where science was beginning to explore new fields. This is also similar in Bladerunner, where Scott takes new technology from the 1980s and extrapolates these ideas into the future. Frankenstein was published in 1818 at a time of the emerging Romantic Movement which highlighted the need for more open self expression. Imagination was seen as a powerful force which ‘went beyond the ordinary’ as to interpret and see the world afresh. It was also a period which focused on the importance of nature, the sublime, and focused on its awareness of the individual, which for Shelley, Victor Frankenstein as her example. Shelley showed her admiration of the wild and natural world by directly referencing it in her work. Rugged and untamed landscapes and settings are evident in Frankenstein as Shelley uses descriptive language and imagery to represent to the reader of the sweeping landscapes which are stark, barren and majestic, “river raging among the rocks, and the dashing of waterfalls around, spoke of a power mighty as omnipotence.” These harsh and cold landscapes also mirror the cold and ruthless personalities each...
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...Creator vs. Creation Victor Frankenstein creates one of the most horrible creatures known to man; it was also the most human. Sometimes a creation can be more “real” than the creator. In Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein, the main character, Victor, creates a beast that is argued to be more human than the creator. Human characteristics show that Victor’s creature is more human than the creator himself because he thinks of others and feels betrayed. Victor Frankenstein has a mighty ego while his creature feels for himself and others. The creature soon talks to Victor and tells him of his feelings and thoughts. The creature describes himself as “alone and miserable” and is heartbroken because “man will not associate” with him (213). Victor’s monster is ashamed of his loneliness and is sad that no one cares for him. Victor soon understands the pain the monster feels but he does not do anything. Because he is ugly, the monster is alienated and alone. The monster claims that “no mortal could support the horror” of his features and “personality”(43). He feels and knows that he is ugly and that no one will go near him. He feels alone and abandoned because of his looks, but he never gives up hope in man. Victor remembers when he first saw his creation. He claims that “the beauty of the dream vanished” and that “breathless horror and disgust filled [his] heart”(42) Victor only cares for himself while the monster sees that caring for others is the key to happiness. Victor cares for himself...
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...Shelley's Frankenstein, (Topic) Victor has two doppelgängers, one being Clerval and the other being his creation (Argument) because the monster is an embodiment of his worse self who doesn't take responsibility and Clerval is his better self who lives without guilt, which is reflected in their relationship to nature, and view of self. (Reason) Victor Frankenstein...
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...one keep warm alone?” -Ecclesiastes 4:9-12. The salvation of a man’s soul through thick and thin is having a companion. Mary Shelley’s ideas regarding the importance of companionship to mankind have not changed much from when her novel, Frankenstein, was written with Victor having it all and being stripped of it, and his creation wanting companionship and being denied it. In the novel Frankenstein, by Mary Shelley, Victor starts off with having companionship and throwing it away. This happens when he goes to...
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...insignificant. Love and loss are not only co-dependent but can also occur simultaneously, as seen in Ode On A Grecian Urn; “Though winning near the goal-yet, do not/grieve;/She cannot fade, though thou hast not thy bliss,/For ever wilt thou love, and she be fair!” (Keats 18-20). The lovers are recognized as in a state of bliss and unsatisfaction. These lines recount the bittersweet marriage of love and loss as it is their great love that makes their agonizing longing more extreme; it is their immortality and dissatisfaction which solidifies their love. This causes the reader to recount a feeling of fear for a loss of love, as demonstrated in the poem and countless other works. This is seen when the love that the monster felt for Victor in Frankenstein and the creature’s longing to be accepted by others worsens in response to loss; “The human senses are insurmountable barriers to our union. Yet mine shall not be the submission of abject slavery. I will revenge my injuries; if I cannot inspire love, I will cause fear, and chiefly towards you my arch-enemy, because my creator, do I swear inextinguishable hatred ” (Shelley 139). Frankenstein’s monster recognizes the insurmountable hatred towards him, and decides to take revenge through murder to attain justice. The monster's desire for love fueled his revenge, and if he was originally as heartless and unaffectionate as he is perceived, his actions would have been a lot less extreme; he wouldn't have felt the loss of never experiencing...
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...birth process. Fear is a great motivator for humans, and it can push a person to do good or bad things. Mary Shelley chooses to write expressing her fears of childbirth in a uniquely creative way. Psychotherapy for individuals can be different, and she created her own through her writing. Utilizing the fictitious character of Frankenstein created by a male over a nine month time period before being brought to life. By avoiding the use of a female to create Frankenstein, the fearsome birthing process was bypassed. His life, filled with rejection and lack of love, severely depressed he choose to kill. Any further pregnancies for Mary Shelley would be encased with the fear of death, not only for the infant but also herself. Keywords: Mary Shelley, Frankenstein, childbirth, depression Introduction The fear of childbirth arises from past experience of the birth process, lockiophobia. Mary Shelley’s book was written about a monster that was brought to life. Childbirth does not always end happily, death of a child or mother is always a possibility and the ability to cope is not the same for every woman or their family. The pain and loneliness consumed her dreams and writing gave her the ability to cope. “My life will flow quietly away, and in my dying moments I shall not curse my maker” (Shelly, M., 2012) electronic p. 63%. Postpartum depression occurs frequently after childbirth even with a healthy child but if the...
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