Mary Shelley reveals Frankenstein as a scientific success but a parental failure. Evaluate the concepts of creation and nurture in Frankenstein.

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Mary Shelley reveals Frankenstein as a scientific success but a parental failure. Evaluate the concepts of creation and nurture in Frankenstein.

When Mary Shelley wrote Frankenstein in 1818 she had lost her own mother and three children. It is against this background of loss that many chose to explore the possibility of bringing the dead back to life. As the daughter of William Galdwin, Mary would have known about many of the major scientific developments during her days. In particular she would have known Galvini and his experiment with frogs' legs, and is likely this motion of electricity was one of the factors that influenced her choice of the subject. Frankenstein is an examination of scientific success, but also brings up the question parental responsibilities, and how important nature and nurture is in bringing up a child. What Shelley asks are the consequences of taking a god like role? To answer this we must examine Frankenstein.

In the very first chapter of Frankenstein it begins with an account of his parents' courtship and marriage and the first views of Victor.

'Broken in spirit'

Mary Shelley's very first description of Victor is described as discontented. Therefore Mary