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Frankenstein
by Mary Shelley
19th Century Novel
Overview
Frankenstein tells the story of Victor Frankenstein, a scientist who creates life through unorthodox experiments, only to abandon his creature in horror. The novel explores the consequences of unchecked ambition, the responsibilities of creation, and questions about what makes us human, as the rejected creature seeks revenge against his creator.
Plot Summary
- 1Victor Frankenstein becomes obsessed with creating life through science
- 2He successfully animates a creature but is horrified by its appearance and abandons it
- 3The creature, rejected by society, educates himself and seeks companionship
- 4The creature demands Victor create a female companion; Victor refuses
- 5In revenge, the creature murders Victor's brother, friend, and bride
- 6Victor pursues the creature to the Arctic, where he dies; the creature disappears into the ice
Key Themes
- •The dangers of unchecked ambition and scientific hubris
- •Responsibility and consequences of creation
- •Isolation and the need for companionship
- •Nature versus nurture
- •The definition of humanity and monstrosity
- •Knowledge and its potential for destruction
Main Characters
- Victor Frankenstein: Ambitious scientist whose creation destroys his life
- The Creature: Intelligent but rejected being who becomes vengeful
- Robert Walton: Arctic explorer who frames the narrative
- Elizabeth Lavenza: Victor's adopted sister and fiancée
- Henry Clerval: Victor's loyal best friend
- Justine Moritz: Servant wrongly executed for the creature's first murder
Historical & Literary Context
- Published in 1818 during the Romantic period
- Written by 18-year-old Mary Shelley following a ghost story competition
- Reflects anxieties about scientific advancement during the Industrial Revolution
- Influenced by galvanism experiments and debates about the nature of life
- Explores Romantic ideals about nature, emotion, and the sublime
Exam Relevance & Tips
- Analyze how Shelley presents the theme of dangerous knowledge
- Examine the creature's development and what makes him sympathetic or monstrous
- Discuss the novel's critique of scientific ambition without ethics
- Consider the frame narrative structure and multiple perspectives
- Explore the novel's treatment of responsibility and consequences
Why This Matters
Frankenstein pioneered science fiction while asking profound questions about scientific responsibility that remain urgent today. Its exploration of what we owe to our creations, the consequences of playing god, and how rejection and isolation can create monsters speaks powerfully to contemporary debates about artificial intelligence, genetic engineering, and technological ethics.