Frankenstein

Frankenstein by Mary Shelley is considered to be one of the greatest Gothic Romantic novels and is sometimes regarded as the first science fiction novel. Shelley wrote this book when she was very young it was published when she was 21. She came up with the idea to the book in the summer of 1816, which she spent in Switzerland with Percy Bysshe Shelley and Lord Byron. As they spent most of their time inside reading ghost stories, since it rain almost the whole time, the three of them decided that they all should write a ghost story. Mary Shelley says that the picture of young Victor Frankenstein came to her in a dream and a couple of years later the book was published. The book contains a lot of Gothic influences and aspects. I will point out some of these aspects.

The book is about a young student named Victor Frankenstein who is deeply dedicated to natural science. He dreams about creating life and he soon starts working to bring life to a dead being made of parts from dead bodies. When he finally succeeds he realises that he has created a monster, it is an enormous ugly creature. He is very afraid of his creature and run away from him. The monster he created is free. Frankenstein becomes ill and is in a very bad mental condition. He does not tell anyone about the monster, and when he mentions it in his feverish dreams those who hear him take his words as delirious nonsense. Frankenstein is ill for a long time and when he has recovered he receives a letter from his father saying that his little brother has been murdered. Frankenstein leaves for Geneva where his family lives to support them in their grief and to get comfort himself. When he comes to Geneva he sees his monster for the first time in years, and he knows that it w...

... middle of paper ...

... major events in this book is typical for the Romantic period, namely the making of the monster. This was a time of new beginnings and discoveries. The novel's subtitle, The Modern Prometheus has this age of inventions in view. The title refers to Prometheus in the Greek mythology who was responsible for the creation of all humans. Victor Frankenstein wanted to be a modern Prometheus. When Shelley wrote this book it was not an impossible thought that you could bring life to the dead. Now we know that it is impossible.

Mary Shelley was inspired by the popular Gothic authors of her time, critics says that her influences are clearly visible in Frankenstein. This was Shelley greatest success and it is a typical Gothic novel. It is easy to understand that it is from the Romantic period because of the Romantic many characteristics in addition to the Gothic features.