"Frankenstein" by Mary Shelly.

Frankenstein

" To be truly happy, one must first become content with their place in the world"

Frankenstein is a story about a man whose life was nearly perfect, but in selfishness, he longed for powers a man should never possess. The book in a sense is a cautionary tale, warning against the dangers of being unsatisfied with your place in the world. To exemplify this, Mary Shelley created the characters of Victor, Walton, and the creature to each, in some way, portray the roles of Satan, God and Adam.

Most people see God as a creator. He created heaven, earth, man, and life. It is evident that in this novel Victor's character attempted and even succeeded in epitomizing the role of God. By giving an inert creature life, Victor succeeded in beholding a power only known to be obtainable by God.

"But these philosophers, whose hands seem only made to dabble in dirt, and their eyes to pore over the microscope or crucible, have indeed performed miracles.

Steel engraving (993 x 71mm) for frontispiece to t...

English: Portrait of Mary Shelley

Manuscript page from Frankenstein by Mary Shelley

They penetrate into the recesses of nature, and show how she works in her hiding places. They ascend into the heavens; they have discovered how the blood circulates, and the nature of the air we breathe. They have acquired new and almost unlimited powers; they can command the thunders of heaven, mimic the earthquake, and even mock the invisible world with its shadows." (27)

In this quote, M. Waldman is telling Victor the powers that great scientists are beholden of. This further inspires Victor to give life to the creature. Victor neglects his responsibilities as the creator, however, when he abandons the creature. This led to many problems for Victor that soon became irrepressible. It was through this that Shelley exemplified the dangers of gaining more power than should be granted to...