The Concepts of Creation and Nurture in Mary Shelley's Frankenstein

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The Concepts of Creation and Nurture in Mary Shelley's Frankenstein When Mary Shelley wrote Frankenstein in 1818 she had lost her own mother and three children. It is against this background of loss that many chose to explore the possibility of bringing the dead back to life. As the daughter of William Galdwin, Mary would have known about many of the major scientific developments during her days. In particular she would have known Galvini and his experiment with frogs' legs, and is likely this motion of electricity was one of the factors that influenced her choice of the subject. Frankenstein is an examination of scientific success, but also brings up the question parental responsibilities, and how important nature and nurture is in bringing up a child. What Shelley asks are the consequences of taking a god like role? To answer this we must examine Frankenstein. In the very first chapter of Frankenstein it begins with an account of his parents' courtship and marriage and the first views of Victor. 'Broken in spirit' Mary Shelley's very first description of Victor is described as discontented. Therefore Mary Shelley uses this very opening to prepare the reader for the horror to follow in her description of Victors' despair. Nurturing could also be considered in this chapter where as Victors' feelings are not taken into account by his parents where then this is turning point in his life. As Victor grew older he receives less attention and was not nurtured as much. He is left to his own devices without much direction from his parents. When he recalls the moment the event at the age of thirteen he finds an Agrippa alchemist bo... ... middle of paper ... ...ole. In Frankenstein Mary Shelley strongly shows that nothing is born bad, but is the lack of nurture that decides whether a child is brought up to become either good or evil. This is shown when the creature discovers how to produce a fire, then nurtures it self that it can be used to warm itself. However due to the lack of nurturing he uses this fire for the wrong reasons such as using it to light the cottage. But the prime example of the concept of creation and nurture Frankenstein creating an monster, not realising the out come of this ambition to bring the dead back to life, then also to failing to nurture this creature and as a result brings unhappiness to this world. Mary Shelley proves that even though Frankenstein was a scientific success, he didn't nurture its child hence it is claimed as a parental failure.

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