Compare the two chapters which describe the creation of Frankenstein(TM)s monster.

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Compare the two chapters which describe the creation of Frankenstein’s monster.

Why does Mary Shelley give us both points of view?

        Mary Shelley began writing Frankenstein; or the Modern Prometheus in the year of 1816 during the early phase of the industrial revolution. The anecdote of scientific discovery was first emancipated to the public in 1818. After thorough reading of the gothic novel I will pen an essay analysing the similarities and differences of two chapters (5 and 11) which describe the creation of the monster. My essay will include a conclusion as to why Shelley gives her readers both points of view.

        The novels subtitle ‘The Modern Prometheus’ is a reference to Greek mythology. Prometheus in one version was the titan who created mankind   (which Victor attempts to do in Shelley’s novel). In another version Prometheus was viciously punished by Zeus for providing man with fire. Prometheus was fastened to a rock where his liver would be continually devoured by a predatory bird. Both could be related to Shelley’s novel and throughout my essay I will prove this.

        Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley was born in 1797 in the tow of Somers, in Great Britain. Her mother Mary Wollstonecraft (author and feminist) unfortunately died as the result of Mary’s birth. Her father and resented stepmother cared for her. In the year 1813 Mary Shelley’s luck changed; she met a poet by the name of Percy Bysshe Shelley. Three years later in the year of 1816 they travelled to Geneva where Percy and Mary and two friends conjured an idea to pen a ghost story. Mary’s Frankenstein was the only one to ever be published! Mary’s final years with her husband were filled with pure disaster. Mary’s half sister died along with two of her own children. Only Mary’s son Percy survived out of all of her children. Her husband Percy died in 1822. All of these tragedies in Shelley’s life could be related to her novel in the respect that her family’s deaths could be related to Victors for example their siblings and mothers.

        Within Shelley’s text there is a substantial amount of social and historical context: mostly linked to scientific discovery. In the early nineteenth century, there was a lot of scientific discovery taking place; this links direct to Shelley’s novel. Another is the hanging of Justine Moritz. Prior to her hanging there was no investigation; unlike today where it would take months maybe even years for a final verdict to be made. People in society believed that if they disagreed with the government, they would be the ones to suffer.

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        Shelley’s protagonist is Victor Frankenstein a professor: not the monster many people believe Frankenstein to be. Victor is a scientist trying desperately to fulfil his ambition of recreating life. The monster, although believed to be evil is actually just a creature longing to be loved. He portrays this desperation of companionship by asking his creator (Victor) to create him a ‘female friend’, he also shows his love for others by helping the DeLacey family who are very disadvantaged. The monster is not born evil; he learnt to be from the people who turned their backs on him when he was ...

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An interesting and well written essay and the writer is obviously a very capable student who knows the novel well. The very good points of this essay are the perceptive and sophisticated comments especially relating to the craft of the author. There are some interesting and original ideas expressed here. Sometimes these interesting ideas are under explored or make the essay lose focus on the actual essay question. The structure of the essay needs more work. Information from sources needs to be paraphrased.