To what extent is Mary Shelley's Frankenstein a tale of struggle between good and evil?
Year 11 GCSE English/English Literature Coursework
To what extent is Mary Shelley's Frankenstein a tale of
struggle between good and evil?
Mary Shelley's novel Frankenstein was significantly
influenced by the book she had recently read; Emile by
Rousseau. In his book there was a quotation that seems highly
relevant, it was. "A man abandoned to himself in the midst of other
men from birth would be the most disfigured of all" I believe that
this was the catalyst which led her to write Frankenstein. This
quotation links back to my original question. That the monster was
not born evil but when a human being is brought into the world
without family or friends but with just other men, one is going to
become evil when is treated badly.
Many people have different perceptions of the novel, that
the battle between good and evil may be between Frankenstein as
his creation or that the battle may be inside the two main
characters. In the beginning we (the readers) believe that Victor
Frankenstein is correct about his view of the monster being evil.
He portrays him as a something evil he refers to him as a "devilish
fiend". However as the story progresses we soon find out that it is
the other way round. We found this out by the effective use of
shifting narratives. I personally regard Victor being the evil one
because of his malicious actions and intentions. He abandoned
his child that is ironic because he had a very good up bringing.
Some may say that he was brave, trying (and succeeding) to
create life; but others would think that it was wrong of him to be
acting as God. This theme continues throughout the book. "The
spirits that guarded me had provided these moments, or rather
hours, of happiness that I might retain strength to fulfill my
pilgrimage." He regards his mission as ...
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because of his malicious actions and intentions. He abandoned
his child that is ironic because he had a very good up bringing.
Some may say that he was brave, trying (and succeeding) to
create life; but others would think that it was wrong of him to be
acting as God. This theme continues throughout the book. "The
spirits that guarded me had provided these moments, or rather
hours, of happiness that I might retain strength to fulfill my
pilgrimage." He regards his mission as a holy one.
The book had an alternative title "The Modern Prometheus."
I believe that this title would be effective for the reason that
Prometheus, as Frankenstein was determined to create life acting
as God.
The death of his mother was the only bad thing that had
happened to him until he was seventeen. His mother died
because she was trying to save her adopted daughter Elizabeth,
this shows how loving the Frankenstein family was. Due to his
mother dying for Elizabeth, he could of reacted in two ways, he
could hate her for it or, he could think that he is lucky to have her
alive. He chose the second option, he feels deeply
compassionate for her. "I was unwilling to quit the sight of those
that remained to me; above all, I desired to see my sweet
Elizabeth in some degree consoled." This shows that Victor is
determined to look after her. Victor and his creature share the
same trait of being determined. Victor is determined to look after
Elizabeth and to create life whereas the monster is determined to
learn.
When the creature stays in the hovel of the De Lacey's it is
apparent to us that he is not evil. It is helping the family and does
want no acknowledgment for his good deeds; I personally
consider that this is very benevolent.
The creature really wanted to have the ability of making
people laugh, cry, smile and sad. "This was indeed a godlike
science, and I ardently desired to become acquainted with it,"
This evidently proves that he desires to learn how to
communicate.
I think that the monster becomes 'evil' because he is heavily
mistreated as he was left alone from birth or creation; this goes
back to the quotation from Emile. Also when Frankenstein is put in
the same position he starts to do evil things when his family dies.
The monster cleverly kills his family in revenge and makes sure
that Victor is left alone just so that he can see how isolated one
feels when they have no one. Reaching the climax of the novel the
monster acted very harshly towards the solitary cottage, this is
because he knows that he has lost everything so there is no need
to be kind.
Victor Frankenstein, I feel is very arrogant because he sees
himself as a pilgrim fulfilling his mission. "Even if they were to
leave Europe, and inhabit the deserts of the new world, yet one of
the first results of those sympathies for which the demon thirsted
would be children, and a race of devils would be propagated upon
the earth..." This is the reason why Frankenstein ripped up his
secondary creation, the one that the monster requested for. Victor
does not see himself as a coward, he as well does not consider
about the repercussions. Also he is very selfish, he only thinks
about himself; "I shall be with you on your wedding-night." Victor
immediately thinks that it is his life, which is endangered, but it was
his recent bride's life, which was captured.
Throughout the book Mary Shelley uses the technique of
pathetic fallacy very effectively.
"It was a dreary night of November that I beheld the
accomplishment..." This is the opening sentence of Chapter five;
it set the scene/mood for the whole Chapter. I think that it is in
November since it is notorious for having cold/murky weather.
Another effective use is: "... the rain pattered dismally against the
planes." The rain is mentioned just before the creature opens his
eyes, if it was going to be a nice looking creature I think that the
weather would be the complete opposite i.e. sunny, birds chirping
etc.
The instant Dr Frankenstein laid eyes on his creature he was
in a state of disbelief/disgust. "I saw the dull yellow eye of the
creature open..." This was the first time that he saw the creature,
the creature that he put so much time and effort into creating. "His
limbs were in proportion, and I had selected
His features as beautiful. Beautiful! Great God!" Now Frankenstein
is going through a state of confusion. "His yellow skin scarcely
covered the work of muscles..." he describes his skin as yellow,
which gives me the impression that he is murky and dingy. Mary
Shelley uses very descriptive language, which is very effective it
gives us (the readers) a clear concise idea of Victor's views of the
monster.
In conclusion I feel that the monster was born good but
because the atrocities of his creator it turned it into an evil
creature, which proves that the statement is, true that "Nurture over
nature," decides what kind of upbringing somebody has. As well I
think that Victor is the evil one, he had a fantastic upbringing and
parenting so we would have thought that he would share his good
parenting on his "son". He is so shallow that he immediately
disregards it because of his exterior.
Chris De Souza 11c
