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Frankenstein | Reading Pointers for Sharper Insights

Reading Pointers for Sharper Insights

  1. Frankenstein has been interpreted numerous times since its original publication. Most modern representations of Mary Shelley's classic portray the monster as an inarticulate being, incapable of attaining advanced intelligence, and as a symbol of pure, unrepentant evil. Shelley, however, gave the creature the ability to learn, to speak properly with passion, logic, and eloquence, and to know the difference between right and wrong.

  2. To better appreciate Frankenstein, it is important to consider the philosophical beliefs that influenced Mary Shelley's writing:

    • Shelley lived and wrote during the Romantic Era. Some characteristics of Romantic literature are:

      • a passion for human emotion

      • the belief that all humans are innately good

      • the advocacy of free thought

      • the idea that comfort is found in healing elements of nature

      • an opposition to political authority and social convention

      • a strong sense of human individuality

      • a belief in the supernatural

      • the use of the morbid and grotesque

    • Frankenstein is also considered a prime example of a Gothic novel. Characteristics of Gothic literature include:

      • the use of intense emotion

      • the evocation of fear

      • using weather to depict a character's mood

      • the use of specific vocabulary: e.g., diabolical, lamentable, melancholy, misery, wretched, etc.

      • giving nature the power to destroy

  3. Understand the ambiguity between good and evil seen in these representations of duality:

    • Shelley sometimes portrays Victor as a God for creating the monster; however, he also views himself as similar to his creation because of his decisions and actions.

    • The monster has a parallel with the biblical Adam because Adam was thrown out of Paradise, just as the monster is cast out of society. In addition, however, the monster is also a satanic representation. Satan, banned from heaven, is determined to get revenge on the God who sent him into exile. Being forced out of society, therefore, causes the monster to seek revenge on his own creator.

  4. Note Shelley's continual use of contrasting elements:

    • isolation/companionship

    • light/dark

    • day/night

    • handsome/ugly

    • male/female

    • science/philosophy

    • knowledge/ignorance

  5. Terms marked in the text with (†) can be looked up in the Glossary for additional information.

  6. Difficult or unusual vocabulary words are listed alphabetically by chapter at the back of the book.