Free Essays: Literary Sources of Frankenstein
analytical Essay
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Literary Sources of Frankenstein
Frankenstein is considered to be the greatest Gothic Romantic Novel. It is also generally thought of as the first science fiction novel. I have always been impressed and amazed by the fact that Mary wrote this novel when she was eighteen years old. What experiences and powers of imagination led to such an innovative and disturbing work?
The idea for the novel arose in the summer of 1816 when Mary Shelley was staying at Lord Byron's villa in Geneva Switzerland. Not only did Mary incorporate experiences from that summer into her novel, she also utilized the sources that she had been reading and studying. Two in particular were the Metamorphoses by Ovid and Paradise Lost by Milton.
It is believed that Mary studied Ovid in April and May of 1815. The major element that Ovid supplied to the theme of Frankenstein, was his presentation of the Prometheus legend. This is acknowledged in the subtitle: Frankenstein, Or the Modern Prometheus. The creation of the monster is similar to this passage from Ovid:
Whether with particles of heav'nly fire, The God of Nature did his soul inspire; Or earth, but new divided from the sky, And, pliant, still retain'd th'ethereal energy; Which wise Prometheus temper'd into paste, And, mix't with living streams, the godlike image cast... From such rude principles our form began; And earth was metamorphos'd into man.
Lines from Frankenstein that reflect the above passage are; "I collected the instruments of life around me, that I might infuse a spark of being into the lifeless thing that lay at my feet." (p.51)
"...that I may extinguish the spark which I so negligently bestowed." (Frankenstein p.101)
The second important literary influence was Paradise Lost by Milton. ( If you have not read this, it is really worth the time. It is difficult, but is well worth the effort. I find that it is helpful to have a copy of Bullfinch's Mythology when reading it. Almost all of Milton's mythological references are explained in Bullfinch.)
The influence of Milton's Paradise Lost can be seen directly from the epigraph of the 1818 edition of Frankenstein.
"Did I request thee, Maker from my clay to mould me man? Did I solicit thee, from darkness to promote me?"
The spirit of Paradise Lost permeates Frankenstein throughout the novel.
In this essay, the author
- Opines that frankenstein is considered the greatest gothic romantic novel and the first science fiction novel. mary wrote it when she was 18 years old.
- Explains that mary shelley's idea for the novel arose in the summer of 1816 when she was staying at lord byron’s villa in geneva.
- Opines that mary studied ovid in april and may of 1815. the major element that he supplied to the theme of frankenstein was his presentation of the prometheus legend.
- Analyzes how prometheus temper'd into paste, and mix't with living streams, the godlike image cast.
- Analyzes the lines from frankenstein that reflect the above passage: "i collected the instruments of life around me, that i might infuse a spark of being into the lifeless thing that lay at my feet."
- Recommends having a copy of bullfinch's mythology when reading paradise lost by milton.
- Explains the influence of milton's paradise lost can be seen directly from the epigraph of the frankenstein 1818 edition.
- Asks, "did i solicit thee, maker from my clay to mould me man?"
- Analyzes how the spirit of paradise lost permeates frankenstein throughout the novel.
- Opines that the fallen angel becomes a malignant devil. yet even that enemy of god and man had friends and associates in his desolation.
- Explains that mary shelley's knowledge of paradise lost was admired by mary and percy in the godwin household. she incorporated it into the novel by having it be one of the three works that the monster studied.
- Describes how they were united by no link to any other human being, and considered satan as the fitter emblem of their condition.
- Analyzes how frankenstein's creature evolves into a self-acknowledged satan who swears eternal revenge and war upon his creator and all the human race.
- Analyzes how frankenstein refers to the monster in paradise lost. both master and creature are torn by internal conflicts from misapplied knowledge.
- Explains that paradise lost and the metamorphoses were mary shelley's inspiration for frankenstein.
Related
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- Essay On Frankenstein Bookanalytical essayFrankenstein Book Review – Lawson White Frankenstein is a novel written by Mary Shelley, which was published in 1818. The book is considered a gothic horror novel, and is one of the first gothic horror novels to be written. This book would be considered this genre because in the 19th century it would have brought fear to many. The story is written in first person as a series of letters from an explorer to his sister. Although the story is told via a sailor in the North Pole through the letters, the events of the story happen all over Europe, from Geneva to the Alps to France, England, and Scotland, as well as the university at Ingolstadt.
In this essay, the author
- Explains that frankenstein is a gothic horror novel written by mary shelley, which was published in 1818.
- Narrates the story of victor frankenstein, who has a passion for learning more and more information. he creates the key to life, flees to escape the ‘monster’, and finds out that his creation has feelings, is aware of him and has committed murder.
- Analyzes how mary shelly makes us believe that both victor frankenstein and the monster are real.
- Analyzes how mary has portrayed the monster to be real through emotion. the monster is angry at his creator frankenstein and kills his younger brother for revenge.
- Opines that mary shelly wrote this book to get a message across to the general public and the sciences of her time.
- Analyzes how mary shelly creates suspense by leaving things unknown, creating a struggle for the reader to put the book down.
- Recommends frankenstein to anyone worried about their outward appearance, science, or just anyone who is up for a great read.
783 wordsRead More - How Mary Shelley Influences the Readers Reaction to the Creatureanalytical essayWhen Mary Shelley wrote Frankenstein in 1816, it was the birth of a new genre – the creation of a being, sci-fi at its earliest.
In this essay, the author
- Analyzes how he hates the creature for what it has done to him thus far, like rob.
- Explains that humans are made up of various bits of other humans.
- Analyzes how it is being compared to man, but at the end is again referred to.
- Opines that if it were a ‘creature’, it would not be.
- Explains that mary shelley's frankenstein was the birth of a new genre — sci-fi at its earliest.
1575 wordsRead More - Analysis Of The Last Man By Mary Shelleyanalytical essayMary Shelley was the author of many popular books some of these include; Frankenstein, Valperga, The Last Man, and etc. First is Frankenstein, Mary first published this book anonymously in 1818, but in the year 1823 after learning its popularity she published it with her name. This may have aggravated people because women were not respected as much as they are now and they mostly would have preferred it was written by a man. Frankenstein is about a young scientist who goes by the name of Victor Frankenstein. Throughout the story victor travels the world conducting stories until one day he settles down and performs an experiment. With his vast amount of knowledge he succeeded in creating the life he so desperately pursued, but little did
In this essay, the author
- Explains that mary shelley published frankenstein anonymously in 1818, but in the year 1823 after learning its popularity, she published it with her name.
- Explains that the last man is one of mary shelley's most popular books. the main setting of the book takes place in a world that has been destroyed by some sort of massive plague.
- Analyzes how mary shelley's lodore isn't as popular as many of her other books, but it gives an idea of the role of woman back when she was alive.
- Analyzes how mary shelley's the fortunes of perkin warbeck is based on one of her earlier books called the last man. she makes the woman more masculine and able to handle her own in the cruel and unfair world.
- Analyzes how mary shelley's life, experiences, life events, culture, and religion have influenced how she wrote her books.
1390 wordsRead More - Literary Devices In Frankensteinanalytical essayThe novel Frankenstein is also considered the modern Prometheus. This novel got this title because of the story line that is followed. This story line is similar in many aspects as the myth of Prometheus. Shelley’s writing is evident in the romantic period as this novel falls into the gothic novel category. The revolution in America and France helped develop a culture of fear which then would be represented in gothic literature. This new category of novel was popular therefore, Mary Shelley wrote Frankenstein to display the evolution of science in that time. Throughout the novel, Frankenstein by Mary Shelley there are many themes and literary devices that are evident. One main literary device is “framing” which sets up a major ground of the
In this essay, the author
- Explains that shelley's writing is evident in the romantic period as this novel falls into the gothic novel category. the revolution in america and france helped develop a culture of fear.
- Analyzes how robert walton's first letter was written on december 11th, 17 to his sister mrs. saville, who is in england.
- Analyzes how walton's first letter describes many things that will play a roll throughout the story. he characterizes his trip as discovering "the region of beauty and delight."
- Analyzes how mary shelley's use of framing was noticeable as it tied into the rest of the novel. walton’s uses of words and explanations assist with contributing to the knowledge needed to continue.
- Analyzes how the four letters in frankenstein are formatted to help set up information so the reader has some knowledge before jumping right into the novel.
935 wordsRead More - Author of Frankenstein, Mary Wollstonecraft Godwin; Born on 30th August 1797-Died on 1st February 1851. In her time she was a British novelist, short story writer, dramatist, essayist, a travel-writer and her Gothic novel Frankenstein; or, the Modern Prometheus 1818. Marry Shelley, when she made a conscious decision to produce Frankenstein, she literally collected her own demons together to create her own autobiography in Frankenstein. Her book shows heartbreak towards conception. In other words where she had problems of having children of her own, she wanted to show this in her book. The author of Frankenstein also managed to make it a science-fiction novel of its time as one of the classics.
In this essay, the author
- Compares the original text of frankenstein with terminator 1 movie, their similarities and how it differs in science, feminism and romanticism.
- Analyzes how victor placed god and science in one. frankenstein's love towards artificial creation came after his mother’s death. he craved fame and recognition.
- Analyzes how science in terminator creates the problem of the machines, which in itself is damaging in the long run.
- Compares victor frankenstein's character to the terminator character, who was created to act vainly, keeping his appearance with the black sunglasses and leather jacket while out to kill.
- Explains that feminism was brought in by mary wollstonecraft, mary shelley's mother. romanticism originates in the 18th century.
- Compares how henry clerval brought the caring side out of victor. in frankenstein, the romance became a chore, an expectation of his mother's wish, and his passion disabled him from being able to love any other women.
1874 wordsRead More - Frankensteinanalytical essayMary Shelly (1797-1851) is one of the world’s most renowned authors and has authored numerous books which are still read and highly respected today. However, her best known work is Frankenstein. Mary Shelly’s first novel, Frankenstein, is one of the world’s finest pieces of literature and the definitive novel of the English Romantic Era; the novel combines a detailed critique on humanity with many powerful themes and multiple characters in the novel reflect the troubled woman who authored the classic tale.
In this essay, the author
- Opines that mary shelly's best known work is frankenstein, which combines a detailed critique on humanity with many powerful themes and multiple characters reflect the troubled woman who authored the classic tale.
- Analyzes how shelly's frankenstein is regarded as one of the world’s finest pieces of literature because of its strong feminist undertones.
- Describes romanticism as a vast literary movement that began in 1789 with the french revolution, and ended in 1832 when the british began to undergo parliamentary reforms.
- Analyzes how frankenstein is a rich romantic piece. it is clearly evident throughout the text that "shelly was deeply influenced by the romantics, and the reader can certainly identify several characteristics of romanticism in this novel."
- Analyzes how nature plays an important role in frankenstein. victor tended to be in places like arveiron, described as a "glorious presence-chamber of imperial nature."
- Analyzes how frankenstein strays from the romantic tenet that humans have the capacity for greatness through choice.
- Analyzes how shelly's masterpiece, frankenstein, conveys the idea that toying with nature will lead to negative results.
- Analyzes how victor's not existent attempts to control the monster he created led to the deaths of elizabeth and the rest of his family.
- Analyzes how shelly's mother, mary wollstonecraft, had a huge impact on her daughter’s life and writing.
- Analyzes how godwin influenced shelly in unique ways, including calvinism, socinianism, agnosticism, and atheist views. god was also an introvert, like victor.
- Opines that shelly is one of the top writers in recorded history. her numerous works have survived the test of time and are still read today.
- Cites citiedkreis, steven, "lectures on modern european intellectual history: william godwin, 1756-1836." the history guide.
- Cites walter, sean, "the romantic tenants" and "feminism and frankenstein" from wentzville r-iv public school system.
1684 wordsRead More - Summary Of Mary Shelley's Frankensteinanalytical essayShe also wondered what her lover was going to write about to present to Byron. After sitting for hours thinking what she could write for a horror. After 7 hours of thinking she finally managed to build up an idea. She thought she would present to Byron. The made up story Frankenstein.Mary Shelley created two books Frankenstein and Valperga. Frankenstein made Mary famous but Valperga made her even more famous.it stood the best of time because it talked about bringing or re creating the dead.I would recommend Frankenstein and Valperga to read because those books made Mary famous. What I like about Frankenstein is that it's mostly about bringing the dead back to life and or re creating. If you're into the dead coming back to life then I would recommend Frankenstein. I also wouldn't recommend Mary Shelley work because it was created in the 19th century and this is the 21st century. Its a very boring book in my opinion todays are filled with romance and gore and the isn't exactly up to date with today's century
In this essay, the author
- Explains that mary shelley, a famous author that created frankenstein, was born godwin on august 30, 1797 in england. she married percy bysshe in 1816.
- Analyzes how dr victor frankenstein meets dr. henry clerval who is experimenting with reanimated bodies together and they create the creature.
- Explains that mary shelley was raised by an abusive father and dedicated herself to a life of writing.
- Explains that mary shelley was born mary wollstonecraft godwin on august 30, 1797 in london england. she was the daughter of philosopher and political writer william and famed feminist mary.
- Narrates how mary shelley was inspired by byron to create a ghost story to pass time and read to her story frankenstein. at lake geneva at villa diodati, mary's lover percy and her stepsister clairemont settled in for six week holiday.
- Opines that mary shelley spent all day and night at a desk thinking of horror stories to present to byron for the competition against one another.
- Analyzes how frankenstein's main goal was to write a ghost story to pass time and present to byron. she got the idea for her hideous progeny during the legendary summer of 1816.
- Analyzes how dr victor frankenstein meets dr. henry clerval who is experimenting with reanimated bodies together and they create the creature.
- Narrates mary shelley's life as a writer. brought up by an abusive father, she dedicated herself to writing.
- Explains that mary shelley did not have formal education. her father william godwin was left to care for her and her half sister finlay.
1006 wordsRead More - Frankenstein: Development through Romanticismanalytical essayMary Shelly’s Frankenstein is a Gothic and Romantic novel written in the early 1800s. The novel opens with Captain Robert Walton as he is sailing on his ship on the search for new and undiscovered territory. During his exploration, Robert’s ship becomes trapped in ice, and he encounters Victor Frankenstein, who looks miserable. When Robert begins to talk to Victor, Victor starts to explain his life story, which ends up being a complete tragedy. Victor tells Robert of his desire to discover the secret to life, which ultimately leads to his creation of the Creature. However, Victor’s enormous creation and his ambitions do not bring him the fame and happiness that he had hoped to receive. He only receives pain and misery. The Creature ends up destroying all of Victor’s loved ones, which leads up to Victor’s death. From the beginning when he is born, the Creature is alone with no one to raise or take care of him, and he is forced to retreat and hide from civilization and the humans who fear him. As it can be seen, Victor and the Creature share miserable lives. In Shelley’s Frankenstein, the characters of Victor and the Creature are developed through the use of Romantic elements, which greatly influenced Shelly in creating her novel.
In this essay, the author
- Analyzes how mary shelly's frankenstein is a gothic and romantic novel written in the early 1800s.
- Explains that shelley's idea for the novel was brought about by romanticism, which flourished in all parts of the western world.
- Explains romanticism in a guide to the study of literature: a companion text for core studies 6.
- Opines that woodbridge, kim a., "the life of mary shelley," kim w. britton, 1996-2003.
- Describes romanticism as an ideal world of freedom and a revolt against the reason, judgment, and ideals imposed on one by society.
- Explains that the elements of romanticism were already playing a very important role in the creation of shelley's frankenstein.
1601 wordsRead More - Biography Of Mary Shelley's Frankensteinanalytical essayAt a very young age Mary was encouraged by her father to write. She really grew such a interest in writing, by the time she was nineteen years old she was finished one of the most famous novels ever published known as Frankenstein. Mary wrote a total of six other novels including the most famous novel today Frankenstein. Frankenstein still thrills people of all descents young and old with its suspense. In Frankenstein, Mary Shelly analyzes how Victor Frankenstein creates a monster but in doing so the only real monster he created was himself.
In this essay, the author
- Explains that mary wollstonecraft shelley was born in somers town on august 30th of 1797 in london, england. her mother died due to puerperal fever, leaving her father william goodwin to care for her and her half-sister fanny imlay.
- Analyzes how mary shelly's interest in writing grew when she was nineteen years old. she wrote six other novels including the most famous novel today, frankenstein.
- Analyzes how victor talks about his early childhood and how elizabeth had gotten adopted into his family. frankenstein was four years old when elizabeth's mother died.
- Describes how victor grew a fascination with the mysteries of the world and fell in love with cornelius agrippa's philosophy.
- Narrates how victor met his professor of natural philosophy, m. krempe, and was convinced to continue his studies in the field of science. he became mad and ingnored his social life.
- Narrates how victor completed his work of a creature and its appearance scared him. victor left his apartment for the first time in months and ran into henry clerval.
- Narrates how victor became convinced that his monster was the one that killed his brother william. justine confessed to the crime hoping to gain some salvation.
- Narrates how victor's father takes him to their family home in belrive to cheer him up but the grief set in soon after. the next day, victor travels to montanvert where he is confronted with the monster.
- Narrates how the monster experienced the world when he left the apartment into the wilderness. he observed the people in the cottage and learned how to speak their language, read and write, and learn about world history.
- Analyzes how the monster tells victor he wants him to make another monster, so the creature can have a companion and not be lonely. the monster got victor to agree to making the new monster.
- Narrates how victor decides to make the female monster for his original monster to have a companion but he has his doubts.
- Narrates how victor was accused of killing his friend henry clerval. he was held in jail for it and became severely ill. elizabeth worried about him and wrote him a letter worrying about his illness.
- Narrates how victor arrives home with his father and begins to plan for his wedding with elizabeth. he is worried about the monster scaring elizabeth so he tells her to head inside to bed.
- Analyzes how victor frankenstein was a round character with ups and downs. his mother died, he became obsessed with his studies and lost his brother william to the monster.
1675 wordsRead More - The Creature as a Foil to Frankenstein Frankenstein, speaking of himself as a young man in his father’s home, points out that he is unlike Elizabeth, who would rather follow “the aerial creations of the poets”. Instead he pursues knowledge of the “world” though investigation. As the novel progresses, it becomes clear that the meaning of the word “world” is for Frankenstein, very much biased or limited. He thirsts for knowledge of the tangible world and if he perceives an idea to be as yet unrealised in the material world, he then attempts to work on the idea in order to give it, as it were, a worldly existence. Hence, he creates the creature that he rejects because its worldly form did not reflect the glory and magnificence of his original idea.
In this essay, the author
- Analyzes how the creature can be regarded as a foil to frankenstein through examination of the schooling, formal and informal, that both of them go through.
- Analyzes how the approach to frankenstein's education in the home is strongly influenced by rousseau, an eloquent writer of the age of enlightenment.
- Argues that the creature is mary shelly's allusion to rousseau’s “noble savage” who is unconsciously responding to his basic needs for shelter, food, warmth and company.
- Opines that knowledge clings to the mind, when it has a strange nature.
- Explains that the principles that first gripped frankenstein's mind are those of prominent alchemists from as early as the thirteenth century.
- Analyzes how frankenstein grows up in an environment where the intellectual side of things is controlled by men and women delegated to be in charge of games or nursing the younger members of the family.
- Analyzes how shelly shows that ideas are not enough to cause a young and intelligent man like frankenstein to try to take on the role of the ultimate creator.
- Analyzes how frankenstein's creation is exiled from the two important categories of existence known to society- god and man. the creature obtains an understanding of human life as a complex interwoven fabric from his observation of the de lacey family.
- Analyzes how the creature portrays a natural and innocent man who becomes the victim of his social conditions because he reacts with negative emotions.
- Analyzes how the chimera represents the incomplete education of frankenstein and his creature, and draws our attention to their conditions.
2166 wordsRead More