Frankenstein

Essay by EssaySwap ContributorHigh School, 12th grade February 2008

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Frankenstein Rough Draft Frankenstein, by Mary Shelley, is a historic story of a monster and his creator. The relationship between the creator, the created, and those surrounding them, reveals many underlying ideas that each serve its own purpose in the novel. Through these ideas, Shelley is able to display many themes that are still applicable in modern times. Written in 1818, the novel contains numerous ideas about life and the lessons learned, or not learned, while experiencing it. The creation of a monster, by Victor Frankenstein, is a remarkable achievement in his eyes because it has never been done before. This use of technology and knowledge without first considering the consequences is a recurring them in the novel. The inevitable consequence of Victor's creation is the rejection and hatred towards the monster based solely on his appearance. Thus, the monsters live through the entire novel searching for acceptance while at the same time facing humiliation and rejection by society as well as his creator.

The novel begins with letters from Robert Walton explaining his journey to find a passage through the Arctic Ocean. This setting of desolation is only the first of a series of setting that brings forth a Gothic theme in the novel. Shelley utilizes the setting as well as the characters in order to give the reader a feeling of coldness and darkness. In contrast to this, the novel also has specific instances where nature's beauty gives the characters in the novel warmth and comfort in times of need. This idea comes from a more Romantic type theme, which contrast with Gothic ideas throughout the novel. In the conclusion of the novel Frankenstein sarcastically advises to the world to "Seek Happiness in tranquility and avoid ambition, even if it be only the apparently innocent on...