Welcome to the World of Frankenstein

Frankenstein, written by Mary Shelley, exemplifies the dangers and endless possibilities brought upon by the creation of life from a laboratory table. A mad scientist, by the name of Victor Frankenstein, seeks for fame based off of his scientific philosophies and discoveries. Frankenstein’s result, a hideous and monstrous creation, finds he is deserted and alone. The story is told from a third party narrator, Robert Walton. Walton narrates the story of Victor Frankenstein and his creation through letters; the audience learns what Frankenstein and the creature are like through Walton’s accounts. Frankenstein and his creature struggle with their identities, and it is evident that their individualities are heavily influenced by society.

 

The Mad, Mad Man

(Universal Studios)

Victor Frankenstein’s life is told over the course of Frankenstein. Victor was of Swiss descent, and he spent most of his childhood studying the ancient philosophies of old alchemists. These studies become problematic when Frankenstein continues his education at Ignolstadt. The amateur scientist is opened up to a world of modern science, and he is able to dive more into the new technologies of scientific advancement. Frankenstein forms a bond with science, and becomes obsessed with the idea of new life. Victor Frankenstein’s mother passed away shortly before he left for the university. This significant loss in Victor’s life leaves his dazed and emptiness is left in his soul; therefore, Victor seeks to create the unthinkable. Not only does Frankenstein want to fill the void of his mother’s death with a creation of life, he also wants fame. In Chapter four, Victor suggests, “A new species would bless me as its creator and source; many happy and excellent natures would owe their being to me (Shelley 40).” Frankenstein’s scientific fascination takes over him, leading him down his path of success. The creature was successfully completed. Frankenstein, however, was blindsided by the repercussions he would eventually endure.

Frankenstein’s World Flipped Upside Down

Victor Frankenstein appears to be a young boy who genuinely loves science. Out of fame, the creature was constructed. Instead of bringing good fortune and reputation to Frankenstein, the monster turns his creator into an irrational man. The creature, being left deserted and alone, attacked the closest thing to Victor: his family. As a result, Frankenstein went wild. In order to protect his loved ones, Frankenstein was consumed with revenge. He was overcome with the priority to destroy his creation, banishing the evil form his life. Frankenstein refrained from keeping in close contact with his family, in fear that the monster would murder the little family Victor had left. Frankenstein spent years chasing after his creation, not bowing down to the challenge until the creature was demolished once and for all. Victor states, “When I reflected on his crimes and malice, my hatred and revenge burst all bounds of moderation (Shelley 79).” The monster’s horrendous actions transformed Frankenstein from a young, innocent boy, into a senseless man full of fear and anger.

Born into Solitude

The creature was left abandoned by his maternal figure, leaving him to fend for himself. Awakening into silence, the creature was left to find food, shelter, and a source of education. Because the creature was born pure, with the choice of either good or evil, the creature’s identity was influenced by society as a whole. The creature exclaims, “I, the miserable and abandoned, am an abortion, to be spurned at, kicked at, and trampled on (Shelley 211).” He is left alone, and feels as though he is unwanted. His is forced to educate himself, leading him to meet the De Lacey family. While watching the De Lacey’s perform their everyday life, the creature is able to learn an adequate amount of information necessary for him to succeed in human society. The creature is able to pick up on the love the De Lacey’s have for one another, and the creature quickly learns that he wants that for himself, too. His abandonment at birth led him to seek a companion and family.

What’s Wrong with Me?

Like his creator, the creature feels revenge. As a result of being left alone to survive, the creature wants to demolish Frankenstein’s family. In the process, the creature experiences effects of discrimination. While in the village, the creature was harmed and was called hurtful words. When the creature gained enough courage to confront Mr. De Lacey face to face, he was immediately rejected and criticized from his physical appearance. After the creature tried to take the young girl in the woods to be his companion, the father of the young girl shot him. The creature recalls, “Inflamed by pain, I vowed eternal hatred and vengeance to all mankind (Shelley 130).” The way the creature was treated by the civilians led him to create loathing towards the human race. The creature’s harsh treatment was purely based off of physical appearance. The phrase “never judge a book by its cover” was clearly disregarded when it came to disputes with the creature.

Walton’s Hopes Destroyed

Robert Walton, an avid explorer, was on a quest to seek knowledge just like Victor Frankenstein. When traveling through the icy waters of the North Sea, Walton encounters the mad scientist. The lost soul conveys his story of misery and loneliness. Walton, feeling lonesome, finds himself very intrigued by what Victor has to say. The traveler becomes so enwrapped in the story that he sympathizes for Frankenstein’s wretched journeys. Instead of encouraging Walton to pursue his voyage, Frankenstein deters him. Frankenstein persuades, “You seek for knowledge and wisdom…and I ardently hope that the gratification of your wished may not be serpent to sting you, as mine has been (Shelley 15).” Frankenstein’s poor influence makes Walton second guess his journey. At the end of the novel, Walton comes to the realization that his life is more important to him than gaining new knowledge:

“The die is cast; I have consented to return if we are not destroyed. Thus are my hopes blasted by cowardice and indecision; I come back ignorant and disappointed. It requires more philosophy than I possess to bear this injustice with patience.”  (Shelley 206)

Walton was influenced by Victor’s pitiful story, making him realize that his well-being was more vital than exploring his way through danger.

60-Second Recap

(Sawyer “Characters”)

(Sawyer “Summary”)

 

I found these videos to be really helpful, very engaging, and to the point. Although short, the above videos provide a basic background of Victor Frankenstein, the creature, and Robert Walton. Enjoy!

Society Changes All

The significant characters in Frankenstein parallel one another. Walton and Frankenstein are both men who are in search of new and noteworthy studies. They both want to make something of themselves, thinking knowledge would lead them down the path to success. The creature and Victor Frankenstein both start out as innocent characters; however, society turned the two into monstrosities. The three characters were significantly shaped by the social order, transforming their identities.