Frankenstein and the society

Frankenstein and the society

  • Submitted By: bentastic
  • Date Submitted: 02/17/2013 12:12 AM
  • Category: English
  • Words: 576
  • Page: 3
  • Views: 2

Europe was going through a revolutionary period during Shelley’s time of writing. The scientific revolution that occurred during Shelley’s lifetime had greatly influenced her with the idea of artifically creating life being a key concern. In Frankenstein, Shelley critiques the harsh consequences following the pursuit of scientific advancement by showcasing the consequences and dangers of man once nature’s boundaries is trespassed. In particular, Shelley criticises Victor’s obsessive desire for creation, whereby he subverts nature and usurp God as he “pour a torrent of light into our dark world” in order to fulfill his strong ambition. This reflects the intense 19th century experimentation that occurred during Shelley’s context, including Galvanism. Luigi Galvani theories of the creation of life through electricity has alarmed many including Shelley the limitless scientific discoveries and its dangers.

Shelley links the the Industrial Revolution during the 1760s through the Creature’s nature. During the Industrial Revolution, new technology started to replace workers and poor working conditions and wages were provided for the workers. Hence, this caused social unrest among the working class. Shelley conveys this fear of social instability and divide between the rich and the poor through the acts of violence by the creature. Like the working class, the Creature demanded for equality and rights but was instead rejected by society. Though Shelley sympathised with the ideals of morality and humanity through the provision of individual rights, she was against the violence committed in order to achieve these rights. It is apparent in Frankenstein that due to Victor’s decision to not produce the Creature a companion, the Creature resorts into vengeful acts by killing the Victor’s closed ones.

Frankenstein also serves as Shelley’s feminist critique of a patriarchal society. The idea of Victor creating the Creature through scientific experimentations subverts the...

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