The Developments and Changes the Monster Undergoes in Frankenstein by Mary Shelley

The Developments and Changes the Monster Undergoes in Frankenstein by Mary Shelley

Frankenstein is a classic novel by Mary Shelley, published in 1818. It

recounts the life of Victor Frankenstein; Victor is a young,

idealistic student of natural philosophy whose aim is to discover the

elixir of life. He succeeds in his aim and consequently brings into

existence a monstrous creation. However, he abandons his creation,

which is then forced to discover the complicated ways in which society

and the world works, in a very cruel but candid and unequivocal

manner.

The novel begins in the epistolary style, presenting the story in a

series of letters. These letters are from Robert Walton, a British

sailor who describes and communicates to his sister, though

correspondence, his search for fame and glory by exploring the North

Pole. More importantly, his letters also announce the discovery and

rescue of a stranger, Victor Frankenstein. Consequently, Victor tells

the story of his life to Robert Walton, who then includes it in his

letters home to his sister.

Therefore, Frankenstein is essentially an account of the life of

Victor Frankenstein as related to him by a British sailor, Robert

Walton, by whom he has been found on the ice floes of the Arctic

Ocean. However, Frankenstein's story contains yet another narrative,

that of the monster he has created. Furthermore, the monster includes

within his narrative the story of the De Laceys, the family of exiles

whom he unsuccessfully tries to make contact with.

To synopsize, Frankenstein is one novel, but within it there are

several narratives and consequently it contains several contrasting

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Mary Shelley wanted her work to be a warning to all scientists. She

was fascinated by the discoveries and scientific inventions that

modern science produced. However, at the same time she was very aware

of the potential dangers of scientific quest.

In Victor Frankenstein's case, his obsessive thirst for knowledge and

power developed into a self destructive passion. Through his research,

he severs himself off from his family and friends, who are all finally

destroyed by his creation. The innermost embedded narrative of the

monster reveals to us that he is in an equally miserable and isolated

situation. The monster is tragically fated to a life of rejection and

isolation from humanity and ultimately we tend to sympathise with him

and condemn Victor Frankenstein for his actions that resulted in this.