Jean Jacques Rousseau Influence On Frankenstein

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The tabula rasa or blank slate theory is one of the most well-known in the realm of psychology concerning the development of the human mind. Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein, a novel about a mad scientist and his attempt at creating human life, seems to draw inspiration from this concept as well as its proponent, Jean-Jacques Rousseau. Rousseau and his theories help to develop Shelley’s novel through the background of Rousseau’s own life, the development of Victor’s character, and the development of the Creature.
Rousseau and his theories inspire Shelley’s novel through the background of Rousseau’s own life. Born in Geneva, Jean-Jacques Rousseau had a difficult childhood in which his mother died when he was young and his father neglected him. This …show more content…

Sorenson presents that "The core of Rousseau's response is that because scientific knowledge can be useful, the talented few may seek it with different motives and purposes. Some will be moved by pride, seeking honor, glory, and even tyranny. Others are ultimately moved by fear, especially of death as well as of pain and suffering" (Sorenson). Victor's character fits this in that in his pursuit of the creation of life stems from his desire for pride. Victor describes hi search as, “Who shall conceive the horrors of my secret toil as I dabbled among the unhallowed damps of the grave or tortured the living animal to animate the lifeless clay?” (Shelley 40). However, his pursuit of the universal elixir comes from his fear of death and dying. Rousseau's novels notes the problem with scientific pursuit is reason itself. Reason contributes to pride, construction of over-planned ideas, and the fear of death. Rousseau believes that reason is neither good nor bad in the pursuit of knowledge (Sorenson). Victor's pursuit of knowledge forces him to become overconfident in his abilities as a creator and planner in his construction of the Creature. Victor's overconfidence also causes him anxiety in his fear of death. Rousseau's philosophy is that the education of virtue bridges individual and public education. If man wants to achieve his maximum happiness, then he must limit his desires to …show more content…

Rousseau and his theories help to develop Shelley’s novel through the background of Rousseau’s own life, the development of Victor’s character, and the development of the

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