Frankenstein by Mary Shelley and the Industrial Revolution

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“Oh! No mortal could support the horror of that countenance. A mummy again endued with animation could not be so hideous as that wretch” (Shelley 57). This statement is how Mary Shelley successfully portrayed the overall negative consensus of the industrialization of Europe in the 1800s in her novel Frankenstein. This story parallels the world’s transition from nature and emotion to reason and truth which was the primary cause for the industrial revolution. Though the revolution brought new technology and knowledge, people felt as though they were enslaved by this sudden change. This is clear through Shelley’s Dr. Frankenstein and the ‘wretched monster’ that would forever change the world.
There is an equilibrium that can be struck between reason, truth, and emotion. These three concepts must work in unison in order to create a balanced society. The problem that was faced during the revolution and in the novel was that one side of the scale was tipped to far. With the industrial revolution there was an expansion of technology and knowledge due to the increase in the want for reason and truth. People sought the truth to reality along with what made everyday phenomenons occur. The problem with seeking truth though is that many tend to set aside emotion, and go straight for the glory. Everything is pushed to the side so one detail can be obtained. When emotion is let go though, mistakes are made, lives are lost, and regrets fill the mind. During the actual revolution, when machines were being designed at no expense spared, the only thing in mind was to get the job done. The goal of the developer was not to make a person happy, but instead make themselves money. Because of this characteristic, machines were difficult to use, tireso...

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...created a monster that not only terrorized the people of Europe, but also himself, killing most of his loved ones. Sadly, in the end, the common people were effected. They became enslaved by the machines, the wealthy, and factories. Similarly, the people became trapped by the hideousness and audacity that monster brought over the continent. Thankfully, not all connection to tradition was lost for people stood up against their enemies and fought for what was right. Likewise, Dr. Frankenstein and the people forced the monster to leave and meet his end, finishing his reign of terror. The people began free, were enslaved, and in the end, brought order and balance back to their lives.

Works Cited
"Luddite." Merriam-Webster. Merriam-Webster, n.d. Web. 20 Apr. 2014.
Shelley, Mary Wollstonecraft, and Diana Gibson. Frankenstein. Madrid, España: Edimat Libros, 2000. Print.

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