literary devices in frankenstein essay

Frankenstein Themes, Symbols, and Literary Devices

Pursuit of knowledge, importance of family, nature and the sublime, symbolism of light, symbolism of texts, the epistolary form.

• B.A., English Literature, Cornell University

Mary Shelley's Frankenstein is a 19th-century epistolary novel associated with both the Romantic and the Gothic genres. The novel, which follows a scientist named Frankenstein and the horrifying creature he creates, explores the pursuit of knowledge and its consequences, as well as the human desire for connection and community. Shelley depicts these themes against the backdrop of a sublime natural world and reinforces them using symbolism.

Shelley wrote Frankenstein in the midst of the Industrial Revolution , when major breakthroughs in technology were transforming society. One of the central themes in the novel—man’s pursuit of knowledge and scientific discovery—explores the subsequent anxieties of this period. Frankenstein is obsessed with uncovering the secrets of life and death with ruthless ambition; he disregards his family and ignores all affection as he pursues his studies. His academic trajectory in the novel seems to mirror mankind’s scientific history, as Frankenstein begins with the medieval philosophies of alchemy, then moves on to the modern practices of chemistry and mathematics at university.

Frankenstein's efforts lead him to discover of the cause of life, but the fruit of his pursuit is not positive. Rather, his creation only brings sadness, misfortune, and death. The creature Frankenstein produces is an embodiment of man’s scientific enlightenment : not beautiful, as Frankenstein thought he would be, but vulgar and horrifying. Frankenstein is filled with disgust at his creation and falls sick for months as a result. Catastrophe surrounds the creature, who directly kills Frankenstein’s brother William, his wife Elizabeth, and his friend Clerval, and indirectly ends the life of Justine.

In his search for the root of human life, Frankenstein created a deformed simulacrum of man, privy to all the usual human degradations. With the disastrous consequences of Frankenstein’s achievement, Shelley seems to raise the question: does merciless pursuit of knowledge ultimately cause more harm than good to humankind?

Frankenstein presents his story to Captain Walton as a warning for others who wish, like he did, to be greater than nature intended. His story illustrates the downfall caused by human hubris. At the end of the novel, Captain Walton appears to heed to the lesson in Frankenstein’s story, as he calls off his dangerous exploration to the North Pole. He turns away from the possible glory of scientific discovery in order to save his own life, as well as the lives of his crewmen.

In opposition to the pursuit of knowledge is the pursuit of love, community, and family. This theme is most clearly expressed through the creature, whose singular motivation is to seek human compassion and companionship.

Frankenstein isolates himself, puts aside his family, and ultimately loses those dearest to him, all for his scientific ambition. The creature, on the other hand, wants precisely what Frankenstein has turned away. He especially wishes to be embraced by the De Lacey family, but his monstrous physique bars him from acceptance. He confronts Frankenstein to ask for a female companion, but is betrayed and cast away. It is this isolation that drives the creature to seek revenge and kill. Without Frankenstein, his proxy for a “father,” the creature is essentially alone in the world, an experience that ultimately turns him into the monster he appears to be.

There are multiple orphans in the novel. Both the Frankenstein family and the De Lacey family take in outsiders (Elizabeth and Safie respectively) to love as their own. But these characters are markedly dissimilar to the creature, as they are both nurturing, matriarchal figures to fill in for the absence of mothers. Family may be the primary source for love, and a powerful source for purpose in life at odds with the ambition for scientific knowledge, but it is nevertheless presented as a dynamic in conflict. Throughout the novel, family is an entity fraught with the potential for loss, suffering, and hostility. The Frankenstein family is torn apart by revenge and ambition, and even the idyllic De Lacey family is marked by poverty, the absence of a mother, and a lack of compassion as they turn the creature away. Shelley presents family as an important means for love and purpose, but she also depicts the familial bond as complicated and perhaps impossible to achieve.

The tension between the pursuit of knowledge and the pursuit of belonging play out against the background of sublime nature. The sublime is an aesthetic, literary and philosophical concept of the Romantic period that encapsulates the experience of awe in the face of the natural world’s extreme beauty and greatness. The novel opens with Walton’s expedition to the North Pole, then moves through the mountains of Europe with the narratives of Frankenstein and the creature.

These desolate landscapes mirror the problems of human life. Frankenstein climbs Montanvert as a way to clear his mind and minimize his human sorrows. The monster runs to the mountains and glaciers as refuge from civilization and all its human fallibilities, which cannot accept him for his façade.

Nature is also presented as the ultimate wielder of life and death, greater even than Frankenstein and his discoveries. Nature is what ultimately kills both Frankenstein and his creature as they chase after one another further into the icy wilderness. The sublime uninhabited terrains, of equal beauty and terror, frame the novel’s confrontations with humanity so that they underline the vastness of the human soul.

One of the most important symbols in the novel is light. Light is tied to the theme of knowledge as enlightenment, as both Captain Walton and Frankenstein search for illumination in their scientific pursuits. The creature, by contrast, is doomed to spend much of his life in darkness, able to walk around only at night so that he may hide from humans. The idea of light as a symbol for knowledge also refers back to Plato’s Allegory of the Cave , in which darkness symbolizes ignorance and the sun symbolizes truth.

The symbolism of light arises when the creature burns himself in the embers of an abandoned campfire. In this instance, fire is both a source of comfort and danger, and it brings the creature closer to the contradictions of civilization. This use of fire links the novel with the myth of Prometheus: Prometheus stole fire from the gods to aid in humankind’s advancement, but was eternally punished by Zeus for his actions. Frankenstein similarly took a kind of ‘fire’ for himself, by harnessing a power not otherwise known to mankind, and is forced to repent for his actions.

Throughout the novel, light refers to knowledge and power and weaves in myths and allegories to make these concepts more complex—calling into question whether enlightenment for humankind is possible to achieve, and whether or not it should even be pursued.

The novel is filled with texts, as sources of communication, truth, and education, and as a testament to human nature. Letters were a ubiquitous source of communication during the 19th century, and in the novel, they are used to express innermost feelings. For example, Elizabeth and Frankenstein confess their love for one another through letters.

Letters are also used as proof, as when the creature copies Safie’s letters explaining her situation, in order to validate his tale to Frankenstein. Books also play an important role in the novel, as the origin of the creature’s understanding of the world. Through reading Paradise Lost , Plutarch’s Lives and the Sorrows of Werter , he learns to understand the De Lacey’s and becomes articulate himself. But these texts also teach him how to sympathize with others, as he realizes his own thoughts and feelings through the characters in the books. Likewise, in Frankenstein , texts are able to portray the more intimate, emotional truths of the characters in ways that other forms of communication and knowledge cannot.

Letters are also important to the novel's structure. Frankenstein is constructed as a nest of stories told in epistolary form. (An epistolary novel is one told through fictional documents, such as letters, diary entries, or newspaper clippings.)

The novel opens with Walton’s letters to his sister and later includes the first-person accounts of Frankenstein and the creature. Because of this format, the reader is privy to the thoughts and emotions of each individual character, and is able to sympathize with each one. That sympathy extends even to the creature, with whom none of the characters within the book sympathize. In this way, Frankenstein as a whole serves to demonstrate the power of narration, because the reader is able to develop sympathy for the monster through his first-person storytelling.

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Frankenstein Themes

Themes in frankenstein, related posts:, post navigation.

Frankenstein

By mary shelley, frankenstein literary elements.

science fiction; horror

Setting and Context

Early 19th century Europe

Narrator and Point of View

There are three levels of first-person limited narration, with each successive level embedded in the immediately prior level. The first level is R. Walton, writing to his sister; the second is Frankenstein, speaking to Walton; the third is the monster, speaking to Frankenstein.

Tone and Mood

Because the horrific events of the story are conveyed as retrospection, the tone oscillates between remorse/anger on the part of the narrator, and suspense on the part of the reader for not having total knowledge of the events that will unfold, in spite of the narrator foreshadowing them.

Protagonist and Antagonist

The major protagonist is Frankenstein, and the major antagonist is his monster.

Major Conflict

Most of the conflict in the story can be read as a struggle of will between Frankenstein and his monster. The monster wants Frankenstein to make him a mate, and Frankenstein believes that he must destroy the monster in order to end the monster's destructive rampage.

Chronologically, the climax actually happens at the beginning of the text, when Walton encounters Frankenstein pursuing the monster in the direction of the North Pole.

Foreshadowing

The novel as a whole is rife with foreshadowing because of the narrators' retrospective perspective and disposition toward regret.

Understatement

The section of the book in which Frankenstein actually creates the monster is highly understated: very little time is spent on the explicit act of bringing the creature to life.

The story alludes to Genesis, Prometheus, and various other literary texts. See the guide's section on allegory and motifs for more details.

See the Imagery section of the guide.

One of the primary threads in the book is that the scientific progress purported by Frankenstein actually effects pain and destruction, and might ultimately be socially regressive. Such a notion of 'progress' is paradoxical.

Parallelism

The ontology of the novel as a composite of older literary sources parallels the ontology of the monster as a composite of older, dead body parts.

Metonymy and Synecdoche

Personification.

Nature as a force is often personified in the text. An example of this is when Frankenstein travels through the countryside following the execution of Justine: "The abrupt sides of vast mountains were before me; the icy wall of the glacier overhung me; a few shattered pines were scattered around; and the solemn silence of this glorious presence-chamber of imperial Nature was broken only by the brawling waves, or the fall of some vast fragment, the thunder sound of the avalanche, or the cracking reverberated along the mountains of the accumulated ice, which, through the silent working of immutable laws, was ever and anon rent and torn, as if it had been but a plaything in their hands" (Volume I, Chapter 10).

Frankenstein Questions and Answers

The Question and Answer section for Frankenstein is a great resource to ask questions, find answers, and discuss the novel.

What is the meaning of dissoluble as it is used in paragraph 3 of the passage?

dissolved, disconnected, broken.... ended

“I expected this reception,” said the dæmon. “All men hate the wretched; how, then, must I be hated, who am miserable beyond all living things! Yet you, my creator, detest and spurn me, thy creature, to...

What decisions and discoveries go into Frankenstein’s creation? What does he learn first, and which parts of the process take longer?

There is so much in your questions. This is only a short answer space. Victor Frankenstein studies biology and metaphysics first. Victor dreams of creating a new species: to renew life.

Explain about the gigantic figure in Frankenstein?

Are you referring to the creature? What specifically do you need to know?

Study Guide for Frankenstein

Frankenstein study guide contains a biography of Mary Shelley, literature essays, a complete e-text, quiz questions, major themes, characters, and a full summary and analysis.

• About Frankenstein
• Frankenstein Summary
• Frankenstein Video
• Character List

Essays for Frankenstein

Frankenstein essays are academic essays for citation. These papers were written primarily by students and provide critical analysis of Frankenstein by Mary Shelley.

• Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Frankenstein
• Egotism, Personal Glory, and the Pursuit for Immortality
• Frankenstein and the Essence Of the Romantic Quest
• Like Father Like Son: Imitation and Creation
• Frankenstein's Discovery

Lesson Plan for Frankenstein

• About the Author
• Study Objectives
• Common Core Standards
• Introduction to Frankenstein
• Relationship to Other Books
• Bringing in Technology
• Notes to the Teacher
• Related Links
• Frankenstein Bibliography

E-Text of Frankenstein

Frankenstein e-text contains the full text of Frankenstein by Mary Shelley.

• Letters 1-4
• Chapters 1-4
• Chapters 5-8
• Chapters 9-12
• Chapters 13-16

Wikipedia Entries for Frankenstein

• Introduction
• Author's background
• Literary influences
• Composition

Frankenstein

Mary shelley, ask litcharts ai: the answer to your questions.

Frankenstein is one of the most famous Gothic novels. Established with Horace Walpole’s 1864 novel The Castle of Otranto , Gothic fiction is characterized by mystery and suspense, settings in isolated, ancient locations, and the inclusion of psychological elements that express human emotions. The novel's succession of tragic deaths and Victor's and the Monster's psychological sufferings fit Gothic conventions. Due to its dark subject matter and plot, Frankenstein also falls into the genres of tragedy and science fiction.

Romanticism, a literary movement that developed in the late 18th century, heavily influenced the novel’s style. Romantic authors tended to focus on nature, specifically the idea that was a force to be admired and an important aspect of human experience. They also emphasized the individual and the subjective, as well as the presence of the sublime, defined as a feeling of awe or reverence awakened by witnessing the beauty of nature or natural experiences. All throughout Frankenstein , Shelley evokes the sense of the sublime through elevated, emotional language and heightened imagery. This can be seen, for example, when Victor goes mountain climbing in the Alps and describes the effect that seeing a glacier has on his mind; the sight fills him with "sublime ecstasy" that gives metaphorical wings to his soul, elevating him above the mundane world. 

Mary Shelley’s Visionary Creation of Frankenstein: a Literary Analysis

This essay about Mary Shelley’s “Frankenstein” explores the novel’s profound examination of human ambition, ethical boundaries, and the consequences of scientific exploration. It highlights the intricate relationship between Victor Frankenstein and his creation, the Monster, and discusses themes of isolation, societal prejudices, and the limits of Romantic ideals. The essay underscores the novel’s relevance to contemporary scientific and ethical debates.

How it works

Mary Shelley’s “Frankenstein” stands as a monumental achievement in literary history, recognized not just for its chilling narrative but for its profound exploration of human ambition, ethical boundaries, and the consequences of scientific exploration. Published in 1818, the novel emerged from the fertile intellectual environment of the Romantic period, a time characterized by a deep engagement with the tensions between reason and emotion, nature and industrialization. Shelley’s creation transcends the confines of a Gothic horror tale, presenting multiple layers of meaning and a prophetic critique of the hubris associated with scientific advancement.

Central to “Frankenstein” is the intricate relationship between creator and creation, which Shelley examines with remarkable psychological and philosophical depth. Victor Frankenstein, the novel’s protagonist, epitomizes the archetypal mad scientist driven by an insatiable thirst for knowledge. His obsession with animating life leads him to defy natural laws, resulting in the creation of a sentient being, often referred to as the Monster. This act raises fundamental questions about humanity, identity, and the moral implications of creation.

Victor’s quest for forbidden knowledge serves as a critical examination of Enlightenment ideals, which championed reason, progress, and dominion over nature. Shelley warns of the perils inherent in unchecked scientific ambition that ignores ethical boundaries and the natural order. Victor’s tragic flaw is not simply his scientific curiosity, but his arrogance and lack of foresight. By neglecting the moral ramifications of his work and failing to take responsibility for his creation, he unleashes a chain of events that leads to his own downfall and immense suffering for those around him.

The Monster, often misinterpreted as a mere grotesque figure, emerges as one of the novel’s most tragic and sympathetic characters. Shelley’s portrayal imbues the creature with a profound sense of humanity, highlighting the intrinsic qualities of a being rejected and condemned by society. The Monster’s eloquent articulations of loneliness, rejection, and longing for companionship resonate deeply with readers. His transformation from a benevolent, innocent being into one driven by rage and vengeance underscores the novel’s theme of nurture versus nature. Shelley’s narrative suggests that monstrosity is not innate but a consequence of social alienation and the absence of empathy.

The Monster’s story within the novel serves as a powerful critique of societal prejudices and the dehumanizing effects of marginalization. His poignant appeals for acceptance and understanding challenge readers to reconsider their perceptions of otherness and their ethical responsibilities towards those who are different. In this sense, “Frankenstein” prefigures modern discussions about inclusivity, identity, and what it means to be human.

Shelley’s use of a framed narrative structure, with multiple layers of storytelling, enhances the novel’s complexity and richness. The story unfolds through the letters of Robert Walton, an ambitious explorer who encounters Victor in the Arctic. Victor’s narrative is interwoven with the Monster’s account of his experiences, allowing Shelley to present various perspectives and voices. This technique underscores the interconnectedness of the characters’ fates and the broader implications of their actions, adding depth to the central themes of the novel.

“Frankenstein” also engages deeply with Romantic ideals and critiques their limitations. The Romantic movement celebrated the sublime beauty of nature, individualism, and emotional depth. Victor’s initial inspiration to create life is driven by a Romantic fascination with nature’s sublime power and the potential for human creativity. However, his endeavor ultimately reveals the destructive potential of such pursuits when they are divorced from ethical considerations and respect for the natural order. Shelley’s novel thus serves as a cautionary tale about the limits of human ambition and the need for a balance between reason and emotion, science and morality.

Isolation and its impact on the human psyche is another central theme that resonates through the novel. Both Victor and the Monster experience profound loneliness and alienation, driving their actions and shaping their destinies. Victor’s self-imposed isolation, fueled by his obsession with his work, leads to his emotional and physical deterioration. Similarly, the Monster’s enforced isolation, resulting from societal rejection, propels his descent into bitterness and revenge. Shelley vividly illustrates the destructive effects of isolation and the fundamental human need for connection and empathy.

“Frankenstein” also engages with the scientific debates of its time and the ethical implications of technological advancements. Shelley’s references to galvanism—a scientific theory suggesting the reanimation of dead tissue through electrical currents—root the novel in contemporary scientific discourse. This engagement adds a layer of realism to the narrative, making the story’s ethical questions even more pertinent. Shelley’s cautionary tale about the potential consequences of scientific experimentation without moral oversight remains relevant in today’s world, where technological advancements continue to raise complex ethical and existential questions.

In conclusion, Mary Shelley’s “Frankenstein” is a visionary work that transcends its Gothic horror origins to offer a profound exploration of human nature, scientific ambition, and ethical responsibility. Through its complex characters, layered narrative structure, and engagement with contemporary scientific and philosophical debates, the novel challenges readers to reflect on the consequences of playing God and the importance of empathy and ethical consideration in the pursuit of knowledge. Shelley’s masterpiece continues to captivate and inspire, underscoring the timeless relevance of its themes and the enduring power of literature to illuminate the human condition.

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Home — Essay Samples — Literature — Frankenstein — The Analysis Of Frankenstein

The Analysis of Frankenstein

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104 Frankenstein Essay Topics & Examples

Looking for Frankenstein essay topics? You’re in the right place! Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein continues to be one of the most read books 200 years after it was written.

❓ Top 10 Frankenstein Essay Questions

🧟‍♂️ frankenstein essay themes, 👹 frankenstein essay characters, 📚 literary devices in frankenstein, 🏆 best frankenstein essay examples, 📃 good frankenstein essay topics, ✍️ frankenstein research paper topics.

In your Frankenstein essay, you might want to analyze good vs. evil characters in the novel. Another option is to write about the Monster and his role in the book. The theme of humanity is also worth focusing on. Whether you’re planning to write an argumentative or critical analysis essay on Frankenstein, this article will be helpful. Here we’ve collected Frankenstein essay questions and answers, writing tips, and top Frankenstein essay examples. Go on reading to learn more!

• Why did Mary Shelley write “Frankenstein”?
• Where does “Frankenstein” take place and what role does setting play in the novel?
• What genre is “Frankenstein”?
• Why is Frankenstein called the modern Prometeus?
• Who is the real monster in “Frankenstein”?
• What is the main theme of “Frankenstein”?
• What natural phenomena influenced Frankenstein?
• What do Victor and Walton have in common in “Frankenstein”?
• Why does Frankenstein feel he has the right to take the life of his monster?
• How has Victor changed by the end of “Frankenstein”?

💡 Frankenstein Essay Prompts

Writing a Frankenstein essay can be easy if you know what to write about. That’s why we gathered some ideas to get your essay started. You might want to write about the writing style of the novel, genre, symbols, characters, themes, or imagery. In general, we can divide all the topics into three categories: themes, characters, and literary devices.

Appearances

The monster in Frankenstein is judged based on his grotesque appearance. Many pieces of literature have the idea of appearances as a prevalent, e.g., Little Zaches , Great Zinnober , The Hunchback of Notre Dame , etc.

If you’re assigned to write a compare and contrast essay, you might want to compare the monster and, for example, The Picture of Dorian Grey and The Hunchback of Notre Dame.

In the novel, Victor Frankenstein states he was destined to create the monster. Think, if his actions were a matter of fate or he had a choice? Or is he just using destiny as an excuse? How did Victor’s actions cause his and monster’s isolation? Argue about fate in Frankenstein. Analyze how man’s choice can impact his life.

Forgiveness

Even though that seems like everyone in Mary Shelley’s novel is seeking revenge, try to take a closer look and see the theme of mercy and compassion.

Does Victor feel sympathy for the monster he created? Does the monster seek compassion and forgiveness from society? Think about these questions when you will write your Frankenstein essay outline.

Victor Frankenstein

While reading the novel, you will see how Frankenstein’s character develops from a mad scientist who pretended to become a God to a man, feeling guilty for creating such a monster. You might want to analyze Frankenstein’s character in your paper.

The monster

Also, you can examine the monster character who is intelligent but beaten by society due to his appearance. Explore how society can be prejudiced to anyone different. You can find out examples in other literary works to compare and contrast with Frankenstein’s monster.

Point of view

If you’re still looking for more Frankenstein essay topics, consider writing about points of view in the novel. Here’s the deal: most stories stick with one narrator, while Frankenstein is an exception.

You will learn about the story through Frankenstein and the monster’s perspectives, through Walton’s letters, and a third-person narrator. You can’t be sure which story (if any) is true. And your job as a writer, join all the events together and try to find the truth.

Think, only the monster or only Frankenstein narrated this novel, how it would change?

Frankenstein essay symbolism

When you are composing your Frankenstein essay titles, think about essential symbols in the novel. If you turn out the full title of the book, you will find a connection to Greek mythology. Prometheus gave fire to humanity, thus gave them knowledge.

And, like Prometheus, Victor also wished to bring knowledge and life when he created the monster. But, at the same time, the monster also learned the power of fire and realized that it could bring danger along with the light.

Frankenstein essay irony

Another topic example you may use in your writing is the irony. Victor Frankenstein tried to create life but also brought destruction through the monster he created.

If you still have no idea of how you can incorporate irony into your essay, check our Frankenstein essay examples to help you cope with writer’s block.

• Dr Frankenstein & His Monster: Compare & Contrast His need to exert vengeance for the death of Elizabeth and Henry proves that he had a desire for a family but chose not to work on it.
• Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein as a Tragedy Another tragedy in the novel appertains to the difficulties that faced Victor and his family after the creation of the monster.
• Victor Frankenstein vs. the Creature: Compare & Contrast While discussing the main characters, one is to keep in mind that the creator of the monster Victor Frankenstein and his creature are the principal figures of the novel.
• The Dangers of Science in Frankenstein by Mary Shelley Her assertion is that science is equal to power, the power to create. Frankenstein reads like a warning to the modern world about the dangers of science.
• Feminism in Frankenstein by Mary Shelley Mary Wollstonecraft expressly makes her stand known in advocating for the rights of the women in her novel, A Vindication of the Rights of Woman, but her daughter is a bit reluctant to curve a […]
• Macbeth & Frankenstein: Compare & Contrast In the being of the play, we assume that Macbeth is akin to the king, a loyal soldier, and a person “full of the milk of human kindness”.
• “Frankenstein” by Mary Shelley The monster then travels to Geneva and meets a little boy called William in the woods, where he hopes that the young boy who is not yet corrupted by the views of older people and […]
• Innocence of Frankenstein’s Monster The name of the novel as Frankenstein conceals the major occurrence of the novel, hence, masking the intentions of the writer at first.
• Who Is More Human Than the Monster of Frankenstein? By opposing the monster created by a scientist and the creator, Victor Frankenstein, the author alludes to the true meaning of being a human beyond the mere form of existence but rather living by virtues.
• Romanticism in Frankenstein: The Use of Poetry in the Novel’s Narrative Although the dark and horrific motifs of Frankenstein may appear to contrast with the bright tones and subjects of such poetry, there is a clear connection, as established in the text, between the poetry of […]
• Ethics as a Theme in Frankenstein by Mary Shelley From the novel, it is evident that humans drove the monster into a state of madness when they subjected it to hatred and rejection, and thus the monster’s madness emerged due to the treatment it […]
• Frankenstein & the Context of Enlightenment The public was becoming more and more involved in the debates being waged, particularly as newspapers and other periodicals became more prevalent with the introduction of the printing press, introducing and maintaining widespread discourse in […]
• The Role of Women in Frankenstein This shows that the woman presented to us has a strong character that enables her to deal with the enormous loss in her life.
• Homosexuality in Frankenstein by Mary Shelley However, at the same time, these breaks from the traditions incited a response reaction in favor of more traditional social roles in other areas, such as the refutation of male sexual relationships to the extent […]
• Frankenstein: The Theme of Birth Frankenstein is a ruthless man who can stop at nothing in his pursuit of knowledge, and when he discovered the secrets of life, he uses it to create a monster.
• Scientific Responsibility in “Frankenstein” by Shelley Shelley uses the anguish of both Frankenstein and the Monster to warn readers of the negative consequences of the pursuit of knowledge.
• Responsibility in Frankenstein by Mary Shelley Although Victor Frankenstein seems to be responsible for the wretch’s behavior due to his egoism, departure, and fears, the impact of the creature’s individuality cannot be ignored in the story.
• Not Born a Monster: Nature vs. Nurture and the Creature in “Frankenstein” Among the things, the novel implicitly refers to the age-old nature vs.nurture debate about whether one’s personality is defined by the inborn qualities or the upbringing one receives in the course of one’s life.
• Ethical Issues in the Novel “Frankenstein” by Mary Shelley The paper looks at the ethical issues that the author highlights in her paper, such as the promotion of artificial life to help in the development of the discussions of this paper. Victor Frankenstein is […]
• Mary Shelley’s Fears in “Frankenstein” Mary Shelley’s creation is often spoken about as a philosophical work telling about the influences of industrialization and technological progress on the society and the ideas about the values of life and death, the argument […]
• Theme of Knowledge in Frankenstein: The Modern Prometheus by Mary Shelley The milieu in which the novel, Frankenstein; The Modern Prometheus is situated served as a warning to people that the technological developments brought about by the quest for knowledge could bring about the very threat […]
• Mary Shelley’s “Frankenstein” (1994) For instance, the Arctic scenery, the subtle fact that the creature can converse in the human voice and is smart and able to experience pain, the series of events related to William’s death and the […]
• Science and Integrity in Frankenstein and Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde Human experimentation is a violation of integrity and scientific norms, notwithstanding the fact that Dr. To conclude, the topics of science and integrity in Dr.
• Doctor Frankenstein: Hero, Villain or Something in Between? Even though he sets out to find and destroy the monster that he created, he knows that the challenge he is facing is much great.
• Responsibility as a Theme in Frankenstein In sum, through the character of Victor, Shelley portrays that a person matures when he can accept responsibilities for his actions and their consequences.
• Science & Nature in Frankenstein & Blade Runner A novel Frankenstein by Mary Shelley is a romantic work that reflects the consequences of “blind science” and human ambition, and Blade Runner by Ridley Scott depicts the industrialized society and world of the future […]
• Frankenstein: Monster’s Appearance & Visual Interpretations However, to my mind, the difference in the contexts of the novel and famous film can be neglected as the monster’s appearance is repulsive enough.
• Nature of Child in Shelley’s “Frankenstein” These behaviors include understanding love and care, the role of parents, and fears of sharing affection. Victor believes that he should reflect his parents’ love for him to the creature.
• Social Issues in “Frankenstein” Film Frankenstein’s monster represents the mangled and depressed soldiers returning from the war only to find an economy in crisis, given that the Great Depression was in the offing after the war.
• Mary Shelley’s Novel Frankenstein or the Modern Prometheus This is the main theme that the writer explores; in this way, she prompts the readers to think about the causes of misfortunes that struck many innocent people.
• Ethics of Discovery in Mary Shelley’s “Frankenstein” The extent and horrific nature of the experiments encouraged the international community to prohibit scientific and medical experiments that cause harm to people in a treaty that would be called the Geneva Convention.
• Shelley’s Frankenstein: Double Vision of the Hero The rest of the novel refers to a nameless creature who is simply addressed as “the monster” [O1] and the one, who is created by Victor.
• Responsibility in “Frankenstein” by Mary Shelly Despite the description of a being created by Frankenstein as a wretch and the evil that he commits, he causes the feeling of sympathy.
• “Frankenstein and Critique of Imperialism” by Gayatri Spivak What the author sets out to do is to expound on the intensity of imperialism in the story. There are several themes in the novel, but the central questions that the article seeks to addresses […]
• Frankenstein’s Search of Companionship in Shelley’s Novel Frankenstein’s point is to establish his social life through the fulfillment of his ambition, and the monster seeks the unconditional love that a family can provide.
• Themes in Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein Literature Analysis In connection to the previously discussed topic of the status of the female in the modern world, one can conclude that the world in which the public sphere of rationality and science becomes dominant naturally […]
• Loneliness & Isolation in Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein In addition to making him and his creature be isolated, Viktor does not accept the idea of duty and responsibility for his actions because of his inability to understand what it means to be responsible […]
• Frankenstein: Novel & Movie Comparison It also points to have a warning note to it in the subtitle against the over-ambition of the modern man and the impacts of the Industrial Revolution and French Revolution containing both enormous assurance and […]
• “Frankenstein” vs. “Great Expectations”: Compare and Contrast The book seems to make use of previous writings like Paradise Lost one of the books that the monster reads, Shakespeare and Don Quixote for instance, the Arabian lover and the sequence of the monster’s […]
• The Novel “Frankenstein” by Mary Shelley: Critical Analysis The themes of creation and vengeance are illustrated to give a clear perspective of Mary’s main aim in writing her book.
• Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein Critical Analysis Hetherington’s “The Creator and Created Review of Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein” demonstrates that Shelley’s religious views and lifestyle influence Frankenstein and that Mary’s modernity may be replicated in chronicles to comprehend their meaning.
• Motifs and Themes in Mary Shelley’s “Frankenstein” Moreover the paper also describes the concept of education and upbringing of child through the analysis of charter of Frankenstein in the novel.
• Artificial Intelligence and Frankenstein’s Monster These models learn from the world around them and might eventually become sentient, and it is far from certain that they will decide to be benevolent to humans.
• The Novel “Frankenstein” by Mary Shelley: Impact of Galvanism Galvanism is the technique of resurrecting a corpse and advancing Luigi Galvani’s research on using electricity to advance and extend life.
• Conflict in “Frankenstein” Novel by Mary Shelley The novel’s main conflict revolves around negligence of responsibility in the name of ambition and the consequences of such actions. Refusing to take responsibility for producing a monster, the scientist loses his loved ones at […]
• The Symbol of Fire in Frankenstein by Mary Shelley The fire symbolizes the ambivalent nature of the creation: one the one hand, it grants rebirth and creates life, one the other mercilessly punishes people. The fire in the novel is the ultimate power regulating […]
• Curse and Blessing in “Frankenstein” by Mary Shelley The idea that knowledge can be a curse is portrayed because the creature that the protagonist, Victor Frankenstein, has created relying on his knowledge harms himself and his family.
• Main Themes in Mary Shelley’s “Frankenstein” The purpose of the presented study is to discuss the perception of moral and ethical aspects in the field of scientific discoveries by Frankenstein.
• Frankenstein: The Hidden Monster Is Worse Than the Apparent One She does this by employing the first definition as it applies to the monster, but then employs the second definition to apply to the doctor, suggesting that the hidden monster is far worse than the […]
• Scientist’s Role in Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein The great issues of the day were the main focus of articles as well as the works of fiction that were becoming much more popular as the price of books fell.”The Victorian novel, with its […]
• Science and Society in “Frankenstein” by Mary Shelley Many scientists and scholars tried to view the problem of the connection between Frankenstein and science from the perspective of the feminist vision as the novel is written by a woman.
• Roles of Education & Family in Frankenstein In the story, the family serves as one of the major socializing agents in society. The role of love in the family is an additional theme that can be depicted in the story.
• Frankenstein: Influences of “The Prometheus” and “Paradise Lost” This is echoed in the novel, as Victor Frankenstein is said to create life against the laws of nature and is punished for it.
• The “Frankenstein” Novel by Mary Shelley I predict that from the early moment when Frankenstein creates the creature, he will become the monster in his life, leading to madness, while no one will accept the creature because people are usually afraid […]
• “Frankenstein” and “The Possibility of Evil”: Evil Theme The main difference between the stories of Frankenstein and The Possibility of Evil is based on the evil aspect and the type of horror represented.
• Shelley’s Frankenstein: What It Means to Be Human The contestation was largely influenced by the Enlightenment led by the philosopher David Hume, who argued that there were different species of people and non-European species were “naturally inferior to the whites”.
• “Frankenstein” by Mary Shelley Review The feelings conveyed in the book are incredibly gentle and pure, and the depictions of family life are of the most affable and straightforward, with a father who is alluring and deep.
• Romantic Characteristics in “Frankenstein” In the novel, there are at least two features of Romanticism that are not discussed in the overview: the illustration of grotesque and the theme of individual versus society.
• Social Topics of Shelley’s Frankenstein Novel The main characters of Frankenstein are Victor and Robert, who constantly seek adventures and want to discover the unique parts of the world.
• Frankenstein by Mary Shelley: Divine and Satanic Hetherington adequately concludes that Victor Frankenstein is a symbol of God through the creation of a new being, and the monster is a symbol of Satan due to his deeds.
• Metaphors in Frankenstein By creating an unnatural monster and endowing life to the dead objects, Victor denied one of the main laws of nature.
• Evaluation of “Frankenstein” Critiques The narrative of the novel uses elements of superstition, but the writer acknowledges that giving life to the lifeless matter could potentially be possible. The author clearly distinguishes between “the marvelous and the effects of […]
• Frankenstein’s Monster: Analysis The creature can be compared to a baby who tries to examine the world it lives in, and its actions are just contractions to the cruelty of the world.
• The Novel “Frankenstein” by Mary Shelley Later, the reader can understand that the main hero feels quite lonely and pays much attention to his research and studies to cover this inner loneliness caused by the loss of his beloved ones.
• Genetics, Reproductive and Cloning Technology in “Frankenstein” If Mary Shelley was for the idea of cloning technology, I think her novel would have ended up with Frankenstein creating a female companion for the monster to compliment the theme of love in the […]
• The Feminine Roles in the ‘Frankenstein, or the Modern Prometheus’ by M. Shelley Shelley develops the theme of feminism in the course of the book by revealing the evil attributes of the creature and how the women fall victim of the creature.
• Monsters, Reflection of Creators: Frankenstein and Mr. Hyde The research introduces the authors’ symbolic concepts of strangeness which address alienation and desire and, which happen in the unconscious state of the creator’s Victor and Dr.
• Mary Shelley’s “Frankenstein” and H.G. Wells’s “The Island of Dr. Moreau” Frankenstein and Wells’s recognize outcomes of genetic engineering and scientific experiments that lose locus of control and result in to unexpected outcomes that add a new dimension of the body of knowledge to the literature […]
• Modern-Day Treatment of Frankenstein: New Variations of the Classic Novel Frankenstein’s monster would be a creature that would be hard to wipe out of the face of the earth and would be made of cells that are highly replicating within hours to form new monsters […]
• The Novel Protagonist Victor Frankenstein Destiny Victor did not realize that God created humanity and took care of creature, while Frankenstein sought for the success of scientific experiment: “From the beginning, the creature is unloved: Victor, in his flight and subsequent […]
• Kipphardt’s “In the Matter of J. R. Oppenheimer” and Shelley’s “Frankenstein” In Kipphardt’s play, it is possible to pursue the development of Oppenheimer’s outlook on the value of the invention of the nuclear weapon.
• Frankenstein Murderer: Hero Analysis and Careful Study of the Case Knowing that the monster intended to cause yet more destruction in the world and who the monster was likely to target, Frankenstein’s deliberate refusal to do anything to help his creation comprises another instance of […]
• Comparison of Victor and the Creature in ”Frankenstein” by Mary Shelley Victor Frankenstein, the main character of the story, intentionally adopts the position of God in his attempt to overcome the forces of life and death and place them directly in the hands of man.
• “Frankenstein” by Mary Shelley and “Blade Runner” by Ridley Scott: Comparative Analysis The texts under consideration picture the events of different periods of time and have absolutely different settings, but both Frankenstein and Blade Runner express the desire of a human to have powers of God.
• Feminist Ideas in Mary Shelley’s “Frankenstein” One of these issues and the subject of this paper is the theme of feminism in Shelley’s novel. It is time to separate unchangeable morals from local manners”.- Mary Wollstonecraft in A Vindication of the […]
• “Frankenstein“ the Book by Mary Shelley Though the true nature of the Monster is virtuous and kind, he is treated like a beast, like a devil and even his creator addresses to him as to “it” “For this I had deprived […]
• The Ladies of Frankenstein: The Gender in Literature It is widely understood that Mary Shelley wrote for the female public, even though she originally wrote the novel on a wager among friends.”She fitted character and plot to the tastes of the public, especially […]
• Scientist’s Role in “Frankenstein” by Mary Shelly Every action and character in the novel, in this manner, is linked to and affected by the role of the scientist protagonist Victor Frankenstein.
• Humor and Technology in “Young Frankenstein” Film One of the debates of the day was the question of the proper role of the scientist in the contemporary age, addressed in the novel Frankenstein written by Mary Shelley.
• “Frankenstein; or, The Modern Prometheus” by Shelley He studied in Ingolstadt where he discovered the secrets of life, which he uses to create a monster. He does this in secret since he is aware of the dangers of his experiment.
• Stylistics of Frankenstein by Mary Shelly The name of the main character of the novel, who has created the living monster from the insentient substance, became a special sign that in a course of time widened its meaning.
• What Frankenstein, Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde Say About Community? Hyde was not eager to become a part of the community and he tended to avoid communication with members of the society he lived in.
• Mary Shelley’ “Frankenstein” Story Analysis The creation is not a monster because it has human habits and affection. From the start of the story, Frankenstein’s creation is misjudged due to the way it looks.
• Mary Shelley’s Monster in Frankenstein Literature Analysis Statement of the Research The underlying principle of this research undertaking is to examine the character traits of Frankenstein as a monster.
• “The Marriage of Heaven and Hell” and “Frankenstein” In this essay, the author seeks to confirm that in the two books, the role of the devil is the same.
• Frankenstein: Critical Reflections by Ginn & Hetherington The complexity of the novel and its meaning is often compared to the challenging and full of struggles life the writer herself.
• Romantic Era Literature: “Frankenstein” by Mary Shelley The Romantic era of art and literature is a movement which started in Europe at the end of the 18th century, peaking around the time between 1800 and 1840.
• Frankenstein’s Historical Context: Review of “In Frankenstein’s Shadow” by Chris Baldrick Baldrick’s ‘In Frankenstein’s Shadow’ is an indispensable input to what is promptly gaining primacy as decisive and learned compromise regarding the integral nature of Mary Shelly’s narrative to the comprehension of the two concepts of […]
• Frankenstein Attempts to Generate a Socially or Politically “Appropriate” Additionally the paper respond to the questions: does the film expel, discipline, or otherwise “manage” the elements of the film that might conflict the sanctioned meaning and whether these elements end up subverting or overwhelming […]
• Frankenstein: a Deconstructive Reading In the story, Frankenstein assumes the position of the creator while the monster is the created being. As a creator who is ready to sail in the glory that his work will bring him, Frankenstein […]
• Mary Shelley’s ‘Frankenstein’: Chapter 18 Analysis This paper takes a critical look at the inclusion of chapter 18 in the publication entitled ‘Frankenstein’ by Mary Shelley and its significance in enabling a better understanding of the drama in the chapter. It […]
• “On First Looking into Chapman’s Homer” vs. “Frankenstein, or the Modern Prometheus” : Compare & Contrast Giving readers the sense of being immersed in the world of the Greeks and the Trojans, or in the world of any fine literature, is a goal for many writers.
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Frankenstein; or, The Modern Prometheus

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How does the creature’s revenge against Frankenstein ultimately lead to Frankenstein becoming like the creature?

Discuss the role of nature in the novel. What causes alienation from nature, and what is the result? How does one reconnect with nature? How does the grandeur of nature simultaneously comfort and alienate one further?

What is the role of women in the novel? Consider Elizabeth, Justine, Safie, Agatha, and even Robert’s sister Margaret. How does their passivity demonstrate 19th-century ideals for women?

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