Book Review: Frankenstein

 Frankenstein by Mary Shelley

 

          Is the monster always a monster? Is our definition of monstrosity definite? Is the human pride always going to triumph even if proved devious and cunning? These are questions to which my answers have changed by the end of the book.

    These passages establish the explicit and clear connection between the monster in Frankenstein and the fallen angel in Paradise Lost.

 

 “I ought to be thy Adam, but I am rather the fallen angel, whom thou drivest from joy for no misdeed.” 

“The fallen angel becomes a malignant devil. Yet even that enemy of God and man had friends and associates in his desolation; I am alone.” 

    Frankenstein is an epistolary novel (any novel that is written as a series of letters) where Walton-an explorer- is 

informed about the gripping story of the creator with his creature, and decides to write the respective details to his 

sister, hence he provides a frame story to the novel.

     This is a gothic romantic novel that is also established as the first science fiction work after its publishing in 1818. This might sound prejudiced yet this horror-natured work provided a substantial boost to the 18y.o author Mary Shelley, but her widespread reputation is often mostly credited to her recognized kinship. Her parents are the acclaimed philosopher William Godwin and the acknowledged feminist activist Mary Wollstonecraft, in addition to her husband who’s one of the most eminent English romantic poets Percy Bysshe Shelley. In fact, Mary Shelley was blessed and fortunate to exist amidst this intellectual elite and speculative ambience. It has been conjectured that she got her literary inspiration from the elite's discussions for they often gathered in her father's office.

      The fictional account is in the first person point of view and is told from the perspectives of Walton, Victor and the monster respectively. The story takes place in several Places like Geneva, the hometown of Victor; Ingolstadt in Germany, the birthplace of the monster; Mount Blanc; Scotland and Russia. In sum, the main events evolve around Victor, the devoted, passionate and dedicated scientist who strives to achieve his ultimate godlike potential as a creator. Notwithstanding the planned quest, certain unforeseen circumstances come in the way of fulfilling his perfect scheme, and make everything start to work the other way around like an anti-plan. Hence, certain thematic elements have been employed to manifest rage, revenge and bitterness through the created monster, as well as the irresponsibility, cruelty and pride of Victor. That being so, some of the themes along the narrative are: justice vs. Injustice, reality vs. appearance, science vs. Nature.

     I wholeheartedly appreciate the author’s conspicuous admiration of nature through her deliberate use of imagery and descriptive language to portray the tranquillity and serenity of nature, which is a highly romantic element. The unpredictable twist of events in this unique literary work made it irresistable and hard to put down before it is finally finished. The end is a tragically heart-wrenching and would only part from one’s mind after a while, especially that the reader would find it hard not to adhere to the great principles of tolerance, compassion and humanity even if were formerly inconsiderable. 

Quotes:

“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. Such a man has a double existence: he may suffer misery, and be overwhelmed by disappointments; yet, when he has retired into himself, he will be like a celestial spirit that has a halo around him, within whose circle no grief or folly ventures.”

 

“I was benevolent and good; misery made me a fiend. Make me happy, and I shall again be virtuous.”

“Learn from me, if not by my precepts, at least by my example, how dangerous is the acquirement of knowledge, and how much happier that man is who believes his native town to be his world, than he who aspires to become greater than his nature will allow.”