Another decisive aspect of this novel was the influence of ‘Rationalism’. This theme is important, as it renders a just case for Victor Frankenstein’s creation of the ‘Monster’ or the ‘Creation’, which is what I prefer to entitle Frankenstein’s ‘spawn’ as. While a huge number of civilians opposed it, others chose to support the implications of Rationalism; it insisted that traditional beliefs should be examined in the light of reason and science rather than ‘mere’ religious beliefs and miracles. The wide spread hysteria about Frankenstein (Creator) playing the role of God was dismissed by rationalists who deemed it to be a scientific investigation that had gone wrong.
Finally, this novel gave light to the ‘Gothic Romance’ genre. Rejecting the idealistic concepts of balance and rationalism, readers then eagerly sought for the old, hysterical, mystical and passionate adventures of heroes against evil forces. Charlotte Bronte’s ‘Jane Eyre’ was based on this genre. Of course ‘Frankenstein’ was the most famous of its kind. Other literary influences on this novel were those from ‘Paradise Lost’ by John Milton (tells the tale of Satan descending from heaven to hell and the cause for the creation of mankind – it draws links to the tale of ‘Prometheus’ the creator of Man) and the ‘Rime of the Ancient Mariner’ by Samuel Tailor Coleridge in 1798 (the importance of superstition is portrayed by the killing of an albatross, an act which is believed to have sealed the Mariner’s fate, as his ship was cursed and his fellow ship members died). Later on I will discuss the relevance of each influence to a greater extent.
The plot of the story was cleverly arranged in order to fulfil the proposed effects. Firstly, the story is introduced by a series of letters from Captain Walton to sister, informing his sister of the events that have taken place since he commenced his journey to the North Arctic. This structure of writing is noteworthy as it is in the ‘epistolary’ form; an alternative method of making the reader aware of the story. This is important as it provides a varied writing structure with the intention of encouraging the reader to read on. In his letters, we learn of his past involvements, his present feelings and status and his future ambitions; the tenses are a preferable mode of creating a character profile for the Captain and stimulating views and opinions from the audience about his personality.
Later, we are notified about the taking of Victor Frankenstein aboard. It is then that a shift of time occurs where Frankenstein tells the story that has placed him in his current predicament. Significantly, the use of time shifting is used on a frequent basis right throughout the novel; some say Mary Shelley used it to tell the tale without adapting it to the conventional timeline where the most historic of events in the story would be the introduction/prologue. As the story develops, we learn that the Creator acquired the necessary information concerning death and decay so as to create a living organism himself.
In horror of his creation, Victor Frankenstein flees the scene and fall ill, contemplating the possible consequences through envisages and dreams. Foreseeing is a major theme of this novel as it ties in with superstition and religion. The terror worsens as Frankenstein is notified of his brother’s death and thereafter a series of deaths take place including Justine Moritz (adopted sister) who is tried for her brother’s murder. The story unfolds, as Frankenstein is made aware that the death of his family members is a result of the Creation, and at their acquaintance the Creation makes it clear that if an equally grotesque partner is made for him, there will be further trouble for Victor Frankenstein. The story then envelopes as many murders proceed and finally the Creation and Creator meet again. Similar to the beginning, the close of the story is in the epistolary form. The Creation vows to commit suicide after the death of his creator.
Victor Frankenstein is one of the most important characters in the story. His involvement in the religion versus science theme highlights his imposing and ambitious personality as well as his future fate. Fate is common grounds for Victor Frankenstein as he refers to it numerously throughout the novel. It was believed in those days that your life was destined to an eventual end in a certain manner only decided upon by God. Opposing this theory, were the rationalists who were sure that no supernatural means had effect upon human life and therefore coincidence was to blame for man and his predicaments.
Frankenstein’s character draws parallels to that of Captain Walton. Essentially, Victor Frankenstein confides only to Captain Walton, and their strong bond is further supported by the similarity in their ambitions and problems, “You seek for knowledge and wisdom, as I once did…not be a serpent to sting you, as mine has been.” Both characters aspire to improve their knowledge and have embarked on a mission, which is dramatic irony as there is an ill-fated conclusion to both missions.
Other characters affected by their relationships with Frankenstein are Henry Clerval and Elizabeth Lavenza, his friend and sister respectively. Both die from their involvement with him, as they are key members of his life; two which the Creation aspires to murder in order to wreak revenge on his creator. It would be wise to remember that the creation of Frankenstein endured a lot of stress and rejection once he had met other members of society.
There are several interpretations of Victor Frankenstein’s character. Some would argue that Frankenstein did not deserve his ill fate; he had merely compiled decaying body parts to create a scientific phenomenon. Besides, the creation was created and lucky to be alive. However, others oppose this as they are of the opinion that Victor’s portrayed a ‘God-like’ impression when creating his Creation, therefore he deserved the subsequent consequences, especially as the Creation was forced to endure heart-ache and depression as he did in his side of the story.
The Other main character involved in this story is of course the Creation of Frankenstein. The gothic theme is heavily imposed at the ‘birth’ of the ‘monster’, which is what Victor refers to him as. Phrases such as, “lustrous black, black lips, church of Ingolstadt,’ support that of the contemporary aspect of Gothic, as religion, dark, painful and possibly evil connotations are centred around the description of the Creation through Frankenstein’s eyes. Many people’s impression of the monster would be that he was an evil being without reasonable justifications for his actions, otherwise others would disagree and believe that the Creation was unable to be vary of his action due to his poor education from birth and society’s terrified and murderous response to the monster when he was in sight.
Drawing the arguments to a conclusion, I was most convinced that Frankenstein’s creation had a far more justifiable cause for his action, in comparison to himself. In my opinion, I would probably be a rationalist; therefore I would not consider the religious aspects that affected Victor, although the consequences of him playing ‘God’ were certainly a result of his own. Truly, Victor should have brought and nurtured the creation into the world quite like a mother does to her baby. Perhaps the Creation would have been loved and admired far more, and Victor Frankenstein may well have been famed for his discovery; it may not have been affected whether it was controversial or not. I have been deeply saddened by the Creations situation, so I would imagine that Mary Shelley fulfilled her desired effect of empathy towards the Creation.
Today this story can be easily linked. Contemporary opinions about abortion and adoption bring about the theme of Victor’s abdication of the Creation. In addition, the argument between religion and science is rife, even though it may be confined to a greater extent in countries such as Vatican City and Malaysia etc. Overall, this novel has hugely affected our lives today, and should therefore be admired.