In Frankenstein, Mary Shelley presents good family and friendship as important to maintain and restore happiness, especially to those who are suffering, but that these relationships should be symbiotic. Shelley worships good family relationships through the De Lacey family but warns about the imbalance in others through Frankenstein's parasitic relationships. Shelley, however, also suggests that we are not defined by these relationships and that everyone is capable of making good choices, such as Justine and initially the Monster. Shelley ultimately highlights the importance of good symbiotic relationships, but perhaps also suggests that we are not entirely defined by them. In the extract, Shelley highlights the importance of family to restore …show more content…
Shelley describes how 'the younger cottagers exhibited [love and respect] towards their venerable companion' to imply that there is a constant exchange of love particularly from the children to their parents. Shelley creates a semantic field of respect to highlight the symbiotic relationship and that Felix and Agatha continue to respect their father. Shelley also emphasizes this when describing how'several times, they placed food before the old man, when they reserved none for themselves' highlighting the self-sacrifice and love that they show to each other, which juxtaposes Frankenstein's friendship with Clerval. Shelley describes how '[he] could not have a more kind and attentive nurse than [Clerval]' who gave 'unbounded and unremitting attention.' Shelley's use of these adjectives creates a semantic field of care and highlights the unconditional love of Clerval, who is constantly presented as the most idealized perfect friend. Shelley foreshadows how later Frankenstein's'murderous machinations deprived [him] also, [his] dearest Henry of life'. Shelley's use of alliteration and the superlative highlights how much Frankenstein valued use of these adjectives creates a semantic field of care and highlights the unconditional love of Clerval, who is constantly presented as the most idealized perfect friend. Shelley foreshadows how later Frankenstein's'murderous machinations deprived [him] also, [his] dearest Henry of life'. Shelley's use of alliteration and the superlative highlights how much Frankenstein valued Clerval. However, he essentially caused the death of him due to his obsession with preserving his reputation and detest at being viewed as a'madman', particularly by the 'vulgar'. Shelley therefore condemns Frankenstein's parasitic relationship as Clerval constantly gave and restored Frankenstien
Mary Shelley’s idea of friendship is very important throughout the novel because it is the goal of Walton throughout the beginning, as well as the monster Frankenstein created throughout his narration period. In chapters fourteen through sixteen the creature learns that he is the only man of his kind, the only monster created on this Earth and he himself is much like Satan and Adam. He stumbled across three novels in which he reads and interprets differently. Paradise Lost having the most impact on the creature made him realize that he is utterly alone, and wretched. Adam was created from God, and was protected, whereas the creature who was created by Victor, was the complete opposite. He was dragged into this earth. The creature states, “But
Human companionship is one of the most basic needs of humans that can be seen in the Creation story. It is tricky for any human to find the perfect companion especially if one is one of a kind. In Mary Shelly’s Frankenstein two characters exemplify this need. Dr. Victor Frankenstein and The Creature are in search of companionship, and they will go to great lengths to achieve it.
The unwavering desire for knowledge may cause the decay of relationships. This idea is displayed as Victor Frankenstein, the protagonist, continually desires to create human life from inanimate materials, which leads to the destruction of many of his relationships. Frankenstein, by Mary Shelley, exhibits how the constant desire for information may cause the deterioration of relationships through the decayed relationships Victor has with himself, his family, and society.
In Mary Shelley’s novel, Frankenstein, values of society are clearly expressed. In this particular society and culture, a great value is placed on ideologies of individuals and their contribution to society. In order to highlight these values, Shelley utilizes the character of Victor Frankenstein. Frankenstein is the main character of the novel, and with his alienation, he plays a significant role that reveals the surrounding society’s assumptions and moral values of individualism and use in society. This is done through Victor’s actions of self-inflicted isolation.
“I do know that for the sympathy of one living being, I would make peace with all. I have love in me the likes of which you can scarcely imagine and rage the likes of which you would not believe. If I cannot satisfy the one, I will indulge the other.”
Humans and nonhuman animals are social creatures by nature and crave intimacy with others. God is the only being that can remain in isolation without intimacy without facing negative consequences. While God does not have intimacy with others he does love all human beings equally. A man living in isolation will eventually lose his mind unlike God. In Frankenstein by Mary Shelley, Victor Frankenstein exhibits a need to be God that makes him believe he can live in isolation and without intimacy like God. Some may argue that Frankenstein has a god complex because of his unshakable belief in himself and consistently inflated feelings of personal ability, privilege, or infallibility;
Mary Shelley’s novel, Frankenstein, has captured people’s attention since it was first written. People often wonder how much of Mary Shelley’s life is documented in her novel. From the theme of parental abandonment, to the theme of life and death in the novel, literary scholars have been able to find similarities between Frankenstein and Shelley’s life. The Journal of Religion and Health, the Journal of Analytical Psychology, and the Modern Psychoanalysis discuss the different connections between Shelley’s life and Frankenstein. Badalamenti, the author of “ Why did Mary Shelley Write Frankenstein?” in the Journal of Religion and Health, primarily discusses the connection between Victor
Throughout Mary Shelley’s classic novel Frankenstein, Victor Frankenstein pursues, with a passion lacking in other aspects of his life, his individual quest for knowledge and glory. He accepts the friendships and affections given him without reciprocating. The "creature," on the other hand, seems willing to return affections, bringing wood and clearing snow for the DeLaceys and desiring the love of others, but is unable to form human attachments. Neither the creature nor Victor fully understands the complex relationships between people and the expectations and responsibilities that accompany any relationship. The two "monsters" in this book, Victor Frankenstein and his creation, are the only characters without strong family ties; the creature because Frankenstein runs from him, and Victor because he runs from his family.
"Victor Frankenstein, does not live up to his role model. He lacks compassion for his creation" (Madigan 3)
After learning about the life of Mary Shelley, I have grown to appreciate the novel, Frankenstein, even more since the first time I read it. She led a life nearly, as tragic as the monster she created through her writing. Mary seems to pull some of her own life experiences in Victor’s background, as in both mothers died during or after childbirth. Learning about Mary’s personal losses, I have gained a better appreciation of her as an author and a woman of the 17th century. She had association with some the most influential minds of that
Like when Mrs. Frankenstein risks her life to save Elizabeth. Mrs. Frankenstein died because she contracted the same illness that Elizabeth for cured of. This part shows that family is so important that people would risk being killed just to help Elizabeth to feel more comfortable and better. Another time in Frankenstein where Robert Walton writes letters to his sister. Telling his sister all about his life and what is going on right then in his journey. There are many other examples of companionship in this Novel but the one that is right at the center of this story. The friend enemy kind of relationship that Victor Frankenstein shares with the monster that he creates him. This relationship has been looked at as a Father son relationship since Victor made him, and the disagreement they have a resemblance of the arguments that a son would forge with his father. This is also viewed as a father son relationship would be that victor is the only one of the two that is properly educated and is intelligent. So this book looks like a parent to child conversation. After the monster is educated a little more he asks victor to make him a mate. After Victor is asked this he find s himself in a dilemma. To make another monster and ruin his own life due to the stress and how much creating something takes out of you. To now have two monsters and might be able to have
Mary Shelly’s Frankenstein is book about the importance of human relationships and treating everyone with dignity and respect. The main character of the book is Victor Frankenstein who is a very intelligent man with a desire to create life in another being. After he completes his creation, he is horrified to find that what he has created is a monster. The monster is the ugliest, most disgusting creature that he has ever seen. Victor being sickened by his creation allows the monster to run off and become all alone in the world. Throughout Frankenstein, Mary Shelley uses the theme of human relationships to illustrate the bond that man has with other beings and the need for love and affection. The importance of human relationships is shown throughout the book in many ways. Victor’s mother says to him, “I have a pretty present for my Victor—tomorrow he shall have it”(18).Victor is very excited that he has such a precious gift that will always be his. They become very close and refer to each other as cousins. However, there is a deeper a relationship between the two, and Victor vows to always protect and take of the girl whose name is Elizabeth. Mary Shelley uses this quote to explain how special Elizabeth is to Victor and that she is gift sent to him. Victor’s mother reinforces this again when she says to Victor and Elizabeth, “My children, my firmest hopes of future happiness were placed on the prospect of your union. This expectation will now be the consolation of your father. Elizabeth, my love, you must supply my place to my younger children. Alas! I regret that I am taken from you; and, happy and beloved as I have been, is it not hard to quit you all? But these are not thoughts befitting me; I will endeavour to resign...
Mary Shelly’s Frankenstein is a thought provoking story to read because the subject matter speaks to me. Dark, supernatural and gothic is exactly the style of reading I would choose in my own reading choices. It was only one step from my Victorian Vampire reading to Frankenstein therefore my choice to read the novel was almost a given to me. Several areas that I as a human can relate to are the human nature of each character, the unrelenting revenge the monster feels, and betrayal in the pursuit of self-preservation Victor bestows on his monster, his family, and mankind. The story speaks of betrayal, a strong an intense emotion that hurt the monster to the core so deeply he commits unspeakable acts. Frankenstein outlines Victor’s betrayal of his son, the monster. Victor literally created a child, a rebirth of flesh in his own design but he felt no love or sense of responsibility for the monsters well-being. This betrayal of the preverbal parent over their “child” is felt greatly by the monster and Frankenstein suffers at his own cost, unwilling and incapable to see he was his own destructor. A notable act of betrayal is when Victor can but does not save Justine from death. His own brother was dead and he was
Can friendship be a curative force for an individual living with depression and anxiety? This seems to be the case showcased in chapters five through six of Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley’s novel Frankenstein. After months of arduous and incessant labor, Victor has finally completed his creation. But in the process, his entire way of being had changed due to his profound immersion in the sciences. He had scarcely written his family and he seldom left his apartment. His once cheerful demeanor was gone and only his work occupied space in his life. After finally infusing life to his creation, its awful appearance horrified Victor. Victor left his apartment because his anxiety had overcome him; he even felt he was being persecuted by his creation. He had reached his lowest point in his life, up until then, and by chance he met with his lifelong best friend, Henry Clerval, who had just moved into town. His presence was a curative factor for Victor and this will be shown further on.
In Mary Shelley’s novel, Frankenstein, many similarities can be seen between the creature and his creator, Victor Frankenstein. While Victor and the creature are similar, there are a few binary oppositions throughout the book that make them different. The binary oppositions in the novel serve as thematic contrast; and some of the most illustrative oppositions between the two characters are on the focus of family, parenthood, isolation and association with others.