Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein
Every crooked worldview, however unbiblical, shares a few parallels with that of a Christian, Bible-based view. Mary Shelley, author of gothic literature Frankenstein, confirms this thought. Her skewed worldview mirrors little of that of the Bible, because her warped hate for God deceived her thoughts. Frankenstein gives readers insight into the sad author’s mind. Such malicious ideas against God molded Shelley’s way of thinking and view the world.
Interestingly enough, Frankenstein portrays God as one who despises mankind, His own creation. Doctor and scientist Victor Frankenstein represents Shelley’s view of God, a malicious, hateful, corrupt and heartless creator. The monster says of the portrayer of God, “Hateful the day when I received life! ... Accursed creator! Why did you form a monster so hideous that even you turned from me in disgust! … My form is a filthy type of yours, more horrid even from the very resemblance” (73). The author summarizes that, in the end, the God figure lost control of the hideous, fearsome creation and keeps no interaction with men. Instead, in Shelley’s view, God runs from His beings, which she believes were “benevolent”.
Life and its trauma often shape a worldview, as aforementioned. For Mary Shelley, though, man holds the right to blame God for all of life’s problems and trials. Through Frankenstein, readers learn that the author believes strongly that man is basically good, though sadness and suffering, made by God, justify a transformation into pure evil. As the monster said, “I was benevolent and good; misery made me a fiend” (94). Shelley insinuates that loneliness, depression, and sadness make it all right to sin knowledgably and willingly. She also seems summarize that man did not cause his own downfall, but God did, so humans can blame Him for the evils experienced.
Sadly, Mary Shelley seems to communicate to readers that nature, instead of a God who loathes man, creates shelter,...