Frankenstein
By Holly Lovett
Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein (1818) is a novel that focuses on a theme of self-destruction, isolation and alienation from society, so how can a piece of literature that was written over two-hundred years ago still have relevance in the modern day? Mary Shelley wrote the famous novel Frankenstein, and it was published in the early nineteenth century. She was born in London, but lived in Italy for most of her adult life. Being only eighteen when she completed the tale, it could be assumed that Shelley had a realist view of what life was like for young women in this era, as her father was a journalist, and this may have influenced her opinion on society. Shelley was also known for being intellectual and this can be seen in her writing. Frankenstein is one of the most loved pieces of gothic literature. Summary- Robert Walton is the captain of a ship headed for the North Pole; and in the form of letters that are sent home to his sister, he conveys the progress of his perilous pursuit. Success is awarded early on; however, his mission quickly becomes disrupted. A sea of impassable ice means that he becomes trapped, it is here that he acquainted Victor Frankenstein, who had been travelling across the ice via a
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dog-drawn sledge. Walton takes Frankenstein aboard as he appears to be unwell, with the intentions to aid him back to health. It is then that he hears the tale of what Frankenstein has created. Victor Frankenstein has a fire burning within him; the idea of a scientific status, power and glory fuels him into constructing a creature made from dead human body parts. And to bring it to life. He wants his new being to be beautiful, but in reality, the creation is more of a monster. Immediately, he runs away in horror. Throughout the course of the narrative, the ‘monster’ becomes murderous, even killing members of Frankenstein’s own family. The monster requests that Victor makes him a companion as he feels alone in the world, however Victor ends up destroying the new monster after having second thoughts. After the monster kills Victor’s fiancé on the eve of their wedding a chase begins and this leads to the ending of both Frankenstein and his creation.
