Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein, often subtitled The Modern Prometheus, is one of the most celebrated and frequently analyzed works of 19th-century literature. Published in 1818, the novel is a pioneering work of Gothic fiction that reflects a range of complex themes, including the perils of scientific ambition, the struggle for identity, and the moral consequences of one’s actions. Shelley’s exploration of the relationship between creator and creation taps into both the scientific and philosophical anxieties of her time, resonating with contemporary concerns about unchecked human ambition.

The novel’s narrative, delivered through letters, journals, and personal accounts, is masterfully woven into a tale of both horror and tragedy. At its core, Frankenstein is a philosophical meditation on creation, responsibility, and the human condition. This blog delves deep into the many facets of the novel, providing a comprehensive summary and analysis, character insights, and an exploration of the novel’s central themes.

Summary and Analysis

Frankenstein is framed within a series of letters written by an Arctic explorer named Robert Walton, who is writing to his sister, Margaret. Walton’s letters begin the novel as he recounts his journey toward the North Pole. During his expedition, Walton encounters Victor Frankenstein, a scientist who is in a terrible condition, close to death. Walton, eager for intellectual companionship, listens to Victor’s story, which forms the core of the novel’s narrative.

Victor Frankenstein begins his story by recounting his early life in Geneva, where he was born into a well-to-do family. From a young age, Victor was fascinated by science, particularly alchemy and natural philosophy. However, upon discovering modern scientific texts, his curiosity evolves into an obsession. Attending university in Ingolstadt, Victor becomes fixated on the idea of reanimating life from inanimate matter. Fueled by his ambition, Victor embarks on an intense and secretive experiment, and eventually, he successfully brings a creature to life using a patchwork of human corpses.

However, rather than feeling triumphant, Victor is horrified by the appearance of the creature. The “monster,” as it is often called, has grotesque features, and Victor flees from it in terror. Abandoned by its creator, the creature is left to fend for itself. As Victor tries to move on with his life, the monster gradually becomes more self-aware and begins to learn about human nature and society through observation. However, it is repeatedly rejected and scorned because of its hideous appearance. Bitter and vengeful, the creature confronts Victor, demanding that he create a female companion for him, someone who can understand and accept him.

Victor initially agrees but then, repulsed by the thought of creating another monster, destroys the female creation before bringing her to life. Enraged by this betrayal, the creature vows revenge and begins to systematically destroy Victor’s life. This revenge includes the murder of Victor’s younger brother William, for which an innocent woman, Justine, is wrongly convicted and executed. The creature also kills Victor’s best friend, Henry Clerval, and finally, Victor’s beloved wife, Elizabeth, on their wedding night.

Driven by grief and guilt, Victor pursues the creature across Europe and into the Arctic, where the narrative converges with the present timeline of Walton’s letters. In the end, Victor dies from exhaustion in Walton’s ship, and shortly afterward, the creature visits the ship to mourn over his creator’s body. The creature reveals to Walton his deep suffering and remorse for the destruction he has caused, stating that he plans to end his life by throwing himself onto a funeral pyre. He then disappears into the Arctic wilderness, leaving his ultimate fate ambiguous.

Character Analysis

1. Victor Frankenstein
   Victor Frankenstein is the novel’s tragic protagonist, whose ambition leads to his downfall. From a young age, Victor exhibits a thirst for knowledge and power, and this ambition becomes the driving force behind his scientific endeavors. He embodies the archetype of the “mad scientist” who is so consumed by his pursuit of glory that he neglects his moral responsibilities. Victor’s inability to foresee the consequences of his actions and his failure to take responsibility for his creation form the crux of the novel’s tragedy. His obsessive quest for mastery over nature mirrors the myth of Prometheus, who defied the gods by giving fire to humanity. Like Prometheus, Victor’s quest brings him and others immense suffering.Victor’s character arc also highlights the emotional and psychological toll of guilt. Throughout the novel, he is haunted by the deaths caused by the creature, yet he refuses to acknowledge his role in these tragedies. Victor’s inner turmoil, guilt, and isolation are significant aspects of his character, as he constantly grapples with the repercussions of his actions. In the end, Victor’s refusal to recognize the creature’s humanity and his desire for vengeance against his creation lead to his own destruction.
2. The Creature (Frankenstein’s Monster)
   The creature is often referred to as a “monster,” but Shelley’s portrayal of him is far more complex than this label suggests. Initially, the creature is a blank slate, possessing neither malevolence nor cruelty. His descent into violence and vengeance is shaped by the rejection and isolation he experiences at the hands of society and his creator. The creature’s longing for companionship and acceptance is one of the most poignant aspects of his character. As he educates himself by reading Paradise Lost and other texts, he becomes aware of his own alienation from humanity and his lack of identity.The creature’s relationship with Victor mirrors the dynamic between parent and child, with the creature viewing Victor as a father figure who has abandoned him. His rage and desire for revenge stem from a deep sense of betrayal, not inherent evil. Shelley’s depiction of the creature invites sympathy as he expresses profound loneliness and the pain of being judged solely by his appearance. His final act of mourning over Victor’s body suggests that, despite everything, he retains the capacity for human emotion, regret, and love.
3. Robert Walton
   Robert Walton, the Arctic explorer, serves as a framing device for the novel. His letters to his sister provide an external perspective on Victor’s story, and Walton’s own ambition mirrors Victor’s in many ways. Like Victor, Walton is driven by the desire to push the boundaries of human knowledge. However, his interactions with Victor and his story ultimately lead him to reconsider the cost of such ambition. Walton’s character is significant because he offers an alternative to Victor’s fate—by the end of the novel, Walton turns back from his quest, having learned from Victor’s tragic story the dangers of overreaching ambition.
4. Elizabeth Lavenza
   Elizabeth is Victor’s fiancée and represents an idealized form of feminine virtue. She is loving, passive, and often placed in a position of victimhood. Elizabeth’s character serves as a contrast to the aggressive, driven nature of Victor. While she embodies the domestic and emotional stability that Victor lacks, she is also a tragic figure, meeting her demise because of Victor’s choices. Elizabeth’s death serves as a crucial turning point in the novel, symbolizing the final collapse of Victor’s personal life.

Themes in Frankenstein

1. The Perils of Scientific Ambition
   One of the central themes in Frankenstein is the dangers of unchecked scientific ambition. Victor’s obsessive quest to unlock the secrets of life represents the Enlightenment-era belief in human progress and the power of science. However, Shelley’s portrayal of Victor’s experiment serves as a cautionary tale about the consequences of hubris. Victor’s blind pursuit of knowledge, without consideration for the ethical implications of his work, leads to death and destruction. Shelley presents the idea that science, when pursued without regard for moral responsibility, can result in catastrophic consequences.The subtitle of the novel, The Modern Prometheus, draws a parallel between Victor and the Greek mythological figure Prometheus, who defied the gods by giving fire to mankind. Like Prometheus, Victor attempts to transcend the limits of human capability by creating life. However, just as Prometheus was punished for his transgression, Victor’s defiance of natural laws leads to suffering for both himself and those around him. Shelley’s novel raises questions about the moral responsibilities of scientists and the ethical boundaries of scientific exploration.
2. Isolation and Alienation
   Both Victor and the creature experience profound isolation throughout the novel. Victor’s obsession with his scientific endeavors leads him to isolate himself from his family and friends, and this isolation only deepens as the consequences of his experiment unfold. He becomes increasingly alienated from society, unable to confide in anyone about the horrors he has unleashed.Similarly, the creature is isolated from society due to his grotesque appearance. Despite his desire for companionship and his attempts to integrate into human society, he is consistently rejected and shunned. This alienation drives the creature to violence, highlighting the damaging effects of social exclusion. Shelley explores how both physical and emotional isolation can lead to a loss of humanity, pushing individuals toward destructive behavior.
3. The Creator-Creation Relationship
   The relationship between Victor and the creature is central to the novel, reflecting broader questions about the responsibilities of creators toward their creations. Victor’s failure to take responsibility for the creature after bringing him to life leads to tragic consequences. The novel suggests that creators, whether scientists or parents, have a duty to nurture and guide their creations. By abandoning the creature, Victor fails in his role as a creator, and the creature, left without guidance or compassion, becomes a figure of vengeance and despair.This theme also speaks to the consequences of playing God and the ethical boundaries of creation. Shelley questions whether humans should have the power to create life, and if so, what responsibilities come with that power. Victor’s downfall is largely due to his inability to foresee the moral implications of his experiment and his refusal to accept the consequences of his actions.
4. Nature versus Nurture
   Shelley explores the age-old debate of nature versus nurture through the character of the creature. When the creature is first brought to life, he is not inherently evil; rather, he is a blank slate, shaped by his experiences. The creature’s initial kindness and desire for human connection contrast sharply with the violence he eventually commits, suggesting that his environment, particularly the cruelty and rejection he faces, plays a significant role in shaping his behavior.The novel suggests that the creature’s monstrous actions are not a result of an innate evil nature, but rather the product of a society that refuses to accept him. This raises questions about the extent to which individuals are shaped by their circumstances and whether society bears some responsibility for the actions of those it marginalizes.

Conclusion

Frankenstein remains a timeless work that continues to captivate readers with its exploration of scientific ambition, moral responsibility, and the human condition. Mary Shelley’s novel delves into the darkest corners of human nature, revealing the dangers of unchecked ambition and the devastating consequences of isolation and rejection. Through the tragic stories of Victor and the creature, Shelley poses profound questions about creation, identity, and the limits of human power.

The novel’s themes of ambition, alienation, and moral responsibility resonate as much today as they did in the 19th century, making Frankenstein not only a foundational work of science fiction but also a profound meditation on what it means to be human.