Frankenstein, narrative techniques positioning the protagonists

The idea that the relentless pursuit of knowledge and technology, which shows no bounds, results in subsequent death and destruction of the pursuer, is raised by Shelley through the characterisation of Elizabeth whom similar to the Creature, is a victim of technology. Elizabeth’s character is constructed to be selfless, loving, virtuous and beautiful. Elizabeth is murdered by the Creature on her “wedding night”, only because it would increase Victor’s grief and guilt, not because of her own actions. Elizabeth is another victim of the Creature, who himself is a product of technology and knowledge. Shelley is warning society of what will happen if science’s promethean desires continue, selfless love, virtues and beauty will be replaced by a grotesque mix of stolen body parts and strange chemicals, created by a combination of science and almost dark and supernatural workings. The protagonist, the Creature, was created through Victor’s tireless pursuit of unimaginable technology, and as a result is cursed with existence in where there is only isolation and pain.

The notion that the justice is unavoidable for the guilty, is explored by Shelley through the setting, both temporal and physical. The setting of Switzerland is significant as it was renowned for its justice system, it was considered the fair and reliable, “If she is, as you believe, innocent, rely on the justice of our laws”. When the protagonist, Victor, retreats to the Alps he could not escape justice, “These sublime and magnificent scenes afforded me the greatest consolation that I was capable of receiving.... although they did not remove my grief, they subdued and tranquillised it”. Victor cannot escape justice for his crime of creating an unnatural creature and then his rejection and abandonment of it. Even in the most sublime and spiritual setting guilt remains, this is reinforced by the appearance of the Creature himself on the glacier and their subsequent exchange of stories in the hut. Shelley is cautioning the pursuit of science, as it will result in the serving of justice to the pursuer. The setting of the North Pole, a freezing, desolate and hostile background, associated with despair and death serves as a symbolic background for the final confrontation between creator and creation, where justice is achieved. The temporal setting of the early 19th century is significant when considering the justice system. It was of critical importance for maintaining order, with the crime rate on the rise, the majority of crimes were punishable by death, and Justine’s case was no exception. The creature makes reference to the justice system, “The guilty are allowed, by human laws, bloody as they are, to speak in their own defence before they are condemned”. The reader is swayed to feel pity towards Victor’s endless experience of justice, through both guilt and the Creature.  

The notion that a human being is established through nurturing and a relationship, rather then being simply born human, is a notion explored by William Goodwin’s philosophy of benevolence. Showing benevolence will be repaid in virtuous behaviours, Goodwin saw the link between loving, nurturing behaviour and happiness and virtuous behaviour by the recipient. The symbolism of the Creature himself, as a being who was denied nurture and love, and was left to nature, and as a direct result his benevolence turned to anger and hatred, “I was benevolent and good; misery made me a fiend”. The Creature attempted to be benevolent, even after Victor had abandoned him, but after being discriminated against and after a lack of nurture, he became vengeful and a menace, “You, my creator, abhor me; what hope can I gather from your fellow-creatures, who owe me nothing? They spurn and hate me.” The Creature or the protagonist reinforces Goodwin’s benevolence philosophy and the idea of nature versus nurture. The reader is positioned to sympathise for the Creature and shift the blame for his wretchedness onto Victor and society.    

Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein positions the reader to sympathise and pity, the varying protagonists, Victor Frankenstein and his creation the Creature. Through the use of narrative techniques, temporal and physical setting, characterisation of Elizabeth, symbolism of the Creature and the language of Victor and the Creature, ideas of nature versus nurture, discrimination, justice and the relentless pursuit of technology are explored. The protagonists both attempt to sway the reader to sympathise their situation, or simply understand it.