Frankenstein

Through the creation of the character of Frankenstein, Mary Shelley has developed for her audience a clear understanding of individuals who challenge the values associated with the technological progress being made by scientific discovery, and in doing so, highlight more Romantic notions of nature and human emotions. Frankenstein is initially portrayed to his audience as an individual who is aware of the dangers of science, however, at this stage of the novel, this is only foreshadowed to the audience. Walton’s letters portray a man who has become like “a brother” but whose “constant and deep grief fills me with sympathy and compassion.” The audience is left to wonder the reasons behind Frankenstein’s sadness. Later in the letters, Walton describes to his sister how he revealed his own scientific ambitions to Frankenstein and implies a utilitarian attitude towards those negatively affected along the way. Frankenstein’s challenge to Walton, “Do you share my madness'” leaves the audience with a clear understanding of Shelley’s purpose. The link being drawn being scientific discovery and “madness” shows the audience Shelley’s attitude towards the unchecked scientific ambitions of both her time and the characters in her text. Especially those discoveries that come at the cost of love, compassion and integrity, values evident of Shelley’s personal contextual concerns. Later in the text, the audience is shown Frankenstein’s obsession with his science and are again made aware of the potential dangers associated with valuing scientific discovery over love for humanity. Shelley subtly challenges values of her time through her depiction of a man challenging values that are promoted in her text Through the imaginative depiction of Frankenstein’s search for a god-like ability to create life, one that he undertakes with an “almost superhuman enthusiasm” the audience is made clearly aware of the dangers of science. The structure of her novel helps to develop this idea. In the chapters dealing with his childhood Frankenstein’s ideal family life...