Monsters and the Monstrous in Mary Shelley's Frankenstein

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Examine the Concept of Monsters and the Monstrous in Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein Miss Hutton “Frankenstein” has a variety of monsters and monstrous things/incidents within it, however I am jus going to focus on some main aspects of the monsters and monstrous. Shelley got the idea for “Frankenstein” whilst she was on holiday. AS well as being challenged by Lord Byron to produce a horror novel, she was also influenced death many times; she was abandoned and had a literacy upbringing. Shelley relates her story to fears which were carried by many humans at that time. As a lot of science was happening people thought God would get upset and not want humans to interfere with what he/she had created. In the late 18th century and early 19th centuries science was rapidly progressing. Experiments and techniques using dead animals and humans were also increasing e.g. galvanism bringing drowning victims “back to life”. Ideas and fears of grave digging and experimenting with human bodies were also increasing. This was frightening as many people believed it may prevent resting in peace. On one hand, the scientific discoveries and experiment were exciting, but on the other it was terrifying. The key fear was that man was trying to “play God” and this was an action against God and could end in disaster. Mary Shelley clearly embodies the fears of her time in this novel. Modern audiences still enjoy reading and watching horror as we know we can walk away from it and continue our lives. Frankenstein was and still is one of the greatest horror books written. It is still relevant to incidents happening today. Children dress up as the monster at Halloween and directors still try producing newer versions of the movie. People view the creature as a monster purely based on its aesthetics, “I had gazed on him while unfinished; he was ugly then…” Victor comments on the monsters looks a lot throughout the novel and as the story progresses the creature realises how hideous he is too. Later on in the novel the creature commits horrific crimes, “Could the daemon who had murdered my brother also in his hellish sport have betrayed the innocent to death and ignominy?” This quote is from Victor, after victor gets the news that his brother is murdered he immediately thinks that the creature murdered him. Victor has a 2D image of the creature from the beginning and that is that he’s a monster. The creature murders many innocent people and also blackmails Victor. The creature also has supernatural powers which frighten the other characters in the story. The most monstrous of things is that he enjoys some of the murders he commits, “I gazed on my victim and my

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