Poor Parenting Revealed in Mary Shelley's Frankenstein
analytical Essay
1085 words
"Victor Frankenstein, does not live up to his role model. He lacks compassion for his creation" (Madigan 3)
A predominant theme in Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein is that of child-rearing and/or parenting techniques. Specifically, the novel presents a theory concerning the negative impact on children from the absence of nurturing and motherly love. To demonstrate this theory, Shelly focuses on Victor Frankenstein’s experimenting with nature, which results in the life of his creature, or “child”. Because Frankenstein is displeased with the appearance of his offspring, he abandons him and disclaims all of his “parental” responsibility. Frankenstein’s poor “mothering” and abandonment of his “child” leads to the creation’s inevitable evilness. Victor was not predestined to failure, nor was his creation innately depraved. Rather, it was Victor’s poor “parenting” of his progeny that lead to his creation’s thirst for vindication of his unjust life, in turn leading to the ruin of Victor’s life.
Originally, Frankenstein had planned to use the results of his investigations to help mankind, but this focus soon transformed into an exhausting obsession; he became only concerned with the means, rather than the ends of his ambitious adventures. Therefore, Frankenstien did not take into account that he would be responsible for the outcome of his studies, namely the mothering, protecting and caring for the creation.
Victor never even fathomed the actual existence of the creature, somewhat resembling an unplanned pregnancy that was never emotionally and rationally dealt with even after the actual birth of the child. He certainly did not adequately prepare himself for parenthood.
One example of Victor’s complete disr...
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...ears with respect to childbearing and the care and upbringing of children. Complicated pregnancies and childbirth, miscarriages and death plagued her own youth and early adulthood. Of the four children she bore, only one survived to adulthood. She also experienced a miscarriage that nearly killed her. The issues of pregnancy and child development were pivotal issues in Mary Shelley’s own life, and her novel is a conveyance of her own feelings and philosophy about bearing and raising children
Works Cited
Defrain, John and Stinnett, Nick. Ilg. Secrets of Strong Families. Boston: Little, Brown and Co., 1985.
Madigan, P. The Modern Project to Rigor: Descartes to Nietzsche. Landham: UP of America, 1986.
Shelley, Mary. Frankenstein or the Modern Prometheus. Edited by: D.L. Macdonald & Kathleen Scherf. Broadview Editions. 3rd Edition. June 20, 2012
In this essay, the author
- Analyzes how mary shelley's frankenstein presents a theory concerning the negative impact on children from the absence of nurturing and motherly love.
- Explains that frankenstein had planned to use the results of his investigations to help mankind, but this focus soon turned into an exhausting obsession. frankenstien didn't take into account that he would be responsible for the outcome
- Analyzes how victor never fathomed the existence of the creature, resembling an unplanned pregnancy that was never emotionally and rationally dealt with even after the actual birth. he certainly did not adequately prepare himself for parenthood.
- Analyzes how victor's complete disregard for his "expected child" is demonstrated in part by his absolute inattention to the creature’s physical appearance.
- Analyzes victor's indifference for his "child" and the fact that his creation was not given a name.
- Analyzes how frankenstein describes the "birth" of his "child" with complete repulse: "i saw the dull yellow eye of the creature open."
- Analyzes how the lack of motherly-love, neglect and abandonment by his creator causes the creation much distress.
- Analyzes how the monster finally learns of the origin of his creation by discovering the journal that victor kept while forming the creature.
- Opines that everything is related in them which bears reference to my accursed origin; the detail of the series of disgusting circumstances which produced it is set in view.
- Analyzes how the creature's encounter with the de laceys displaces him from his "natural state," exposes his education, and familiarizes himself with laws and customs of society, which embitters him and leads to his vindictiveness towards society.
- Explains that they possessed no money, friends, property, and a figure hideously deformed and loathsome. they cannot describe the agony that these reflections inflicted upon them.
- Analyzes how frankenstein's role as a neglectful parent and the results of his poor parenting are deeply interconnected and richly developed expeditions within the novel.
- Analyzes how shelley is concerned about and sympathetic to this cycle of abuse, as she explores the plight of an abandoned child.
- Analyzes how shelley comments on appropriate parenting techniques and their ultimate significance through frankenstein. she asserts that the role of parenting is extremely important for the healthy and happy growth and maturation of a child.
- Analyzes how victor's failure in the parenting of his "child" led to the creature’s monster-like persona and his tragic life and end.
- Analyzes how the story of frankenstein emulates mary shelley's own misfortunes and fears with respect to childbearing and the care and upbringing of children.
Related
- analytical
- The fact that Frankenstein’s creation turns on him and murders innocent people is never overlooked; it has been the subject of virtually every popularization of the novel. What is not often acknowledged is the fact that Frankenstein himself embodies some of the worst traits of humankind. He is self-centered, with little real love for those who care about him; he is prejudiced, inflexible and cannot forgive, even in death. While some of these traits could be forgivable, to own and flaunt them all should be enough to remind a careful reader that there are two "monsters" in Frankenstein.
In this essay, the author
- Analyzes how victor devotes one sentence to his affections to elizabeth, while the rest of the letter is preoccupied with his own "secret" of her creation.
- Analyzes how victor's ego led directly to the deaths of 5 innocent people that accords him the same status as his much-maligned creation. he is mistrustful and always assumes the worst of people.
- Analyzes how frankenstein's creation is deserted by the one person who should have cared for him. he learns through clandestine observations rather than actual interpersonal interaction.
- Analyzes how frankenstein's monster kills three people, deliberately frames another, and drives his creator so mad that he dies from remorse and fatigue.
- Analyzes how frankenstein's creation turns on him and murders innocent people, but he embodies some of the worst traits of humankind. he is self-centered, prejudiced, inflexible, and cannot forgive.
- Describes shelley, mary, frankenstein. 1818. ed. paul j. hunter. new york: w.w. norton and company, 1996.
- Analyzes how the theme of familial affection is an important one throughout mary shelley's classic novel frankenstein.
- Analyzes how frankenstein hardly mentions his brothers until after william's death. he is so self-centered that he believes the mountains, sky, and lake can purposely mock him.
1500 wordsRead More - Examples Of Individualism In Frankensteinanalytical essayAfter learning about the life of Mary Shelley, I have grown to appreciate the novel, Frankenstein, even more since the first time I read it. She led a life nearly, as tragic as the monster she created through her writing. Mary seems to pull some of her own life experiences in Victor’s background, as in both mothers died during or after childbirth. Learning about Mary’s personal losses, I have gained a better appreciation of her as an author and a woman of the 17th century. She had association with some the most influential minds of that
In this essay, the author
- Opines that mary shelley's frankenstein is a wonderful story that has been slowly destroyed by hollywood through the years.
- Explains that the american and french revolutions erupted in the late 1700s, and the industrial revolution was in progress from the rapid advance of technology. the romantic movement placed emphasis on individualism and self-expression across literature, art and music.
- Explains that mary shelley was born in london, england in 1797 to the famous political writer william godwin and feminist author mary wollstonecraft.
- Analyzes how the novel, frankenstein, contains multiple themes from the romantic period including passion, nature, individualism, and the romantic hero.
- Analyzes how victor's individuality reflects the passion and individualism theme from the romantic period.
- Analyzes how mary shelley's frankenstein has inspired numerous films, television programs, video games and other works. the character remains one of most recognized icons in horror fiction today.
- Analyzes how they have gained a better appreciation of mary shelley as an author and woman of the 17th century.
1159 wordsRead More - Essay On Parental Abandonment In Frankensteinanalytical essayFrankenstein: Mary Shelley’s Presence in Her Novel Mary Shelley’s novel, Frankenstein, has captured people’s attention since it was first written. People often wonder how much of Mary Shelley’s life is documented in her novel.
In this essay, the author
- Analyzes how mary shelley's novel, frankenstein, has captured people’s attention since it was first written.
- Explains that victor frankenstein is a clear representation of percy shelley, mary's husband. both men despised and abandoned their children when they were young.
- Analyzes how shelley incorporated a theme of parental abandonment in frankenstein. the monster was born motherless, and this deeply affected him.
- Analyzes how mary and the monster make bad decisions that are viewed as immoral, possibly due to being abandoned.
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In this essay, the author
- Analyzes how the tale of frankenstein focuses on the outcome of one man's idealistic motives and desires of dabbling with nature, which result in the creation of a horrific creature.
- Analyzes how the creation discovers that he is alone, but not without resource.
- Narrates how they beheld the wretch---the miserable monster whom they had created. he held up the curtain of the bed, and his eyes, if eyes they may be called, were fixed on them.
- Analyzes how frankenstein's first of numerous mistaken decisions ill-fating his destiny relies upon a lack of responsibility for the creation he so passionately brings to life.
- Narrates how their mother's tender caresses and their father’s smile of benevolent pleasure were their first recollections. i was their child, the innocent and helpless creature bestowed on them by heaven.
- Analyzes how frankenstein illustrates his parents as ideal caregivers to any child, and neglects the vital tools of a responsible guardian when animating his creation.
- Analyzes how frankenstein's idealism blinded him to the dangerous outcome of his creation, giving life to a hideous creature.
- Explains that life and death seemed to them ideal bounds, which they should break through, and pour a torrent of light into our dark world.
- Analyzes how frankenstein's intent was to create a being unlike any other, superior to all human life. however, the results are horrific and irreversible.
- Opines that they are content to reason with their creator, who would tear them to pieces and triumph over them.
- Analyzes how frankenstein's loathsome words justify that his sufferings would cease if he hadn't been passionately immersed in the creation of a superior being.
- Analyzes how the creation, longing for the attention that frankenstein neglected to provide at his birth, attempts to gain it by stalking and killing his loved ones.
- Opines that they will behold the sun and tread the green herbage of earth, which otherwise should vanish from their eyes forever.
- Analyzes how frankenstein realizes that his creation's death will obliterate and relieve all his sufferings.
- Analyzes how frankenstien is the tale of a man doomed to failure and death for his desire to play with nature.
1514 wordsRead More - Tragic Hero in Mary Shelley’s Frankensteinanalytical essayTragedy shows no discrimination and often strikes down on those undeserving of such turmoil. In Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein, a creature more repulsive than one can imagine is brought to life by a young scientist. Although this creature is horrifying in sight, he is gentle by nature. Unfortunately, the softer side of the creature is repeatedly overlooked and the so called “monster” is driven to a breaking point. Even though the Creature committed many crimes, Mary Shelley’s Creature was the tragic hero of this story because of his efforts rescue the life of a young girl and helping destitute cottagers.
In this essay, the author
- Explains that mary shelley's frankenstein. the 1818 text, contexts, nineteenth-century responses. modern criticism. j. paul hunter.
- Analyzes turner sharp's book if it be a monster birth: reading and literary property in mary.
- Analyzes how mary shelley's creature was the tragic hero of this story because of his efforts to rescue a young girl and helping destitute cottagers.
- States that shelley, mary, frankenstein: a norton critical edition. ed. j. paul hunter.
1080 wordsRead More - Dangers of Technology Exposed in Mary Shelley's Frankensteinanalytical essayIn Frankenstein, Shelley creates two very complex characters. They embody the moral dilemmas that arise from the corruption and disturbance of the natural order of the world. When Victor Frankenstein is attending school, he becomes infatuated with creating a living being and starts stealing body parts from morgues around the university. After many months of hard work, he finishes one stormy night bringing his creation to life. However, “now that [Victor] had finished, the beauty of the dream vanished, and breathless horror and disgust filled [his] heart” (Chambers). Right after Victor realizes what he has done, he falls into deep depression and must be nursed back to health by his friend. Victor spends the rest of the story facing consequences and moral problems from creating unnatural life. When he realizes that the ‘monster’ has killed his brother, even though no one believes him, he feels responsible for his brother’s murder because he was responsible for the existence of the ‘monster’. Also feeling responsible, Victor...
In this essay, the author
- Analyzes how mary shelley's frankenstein was a literary piece that touched on many different issues, not only in her time, but also today.
- Analyzes how shelley creates two complex characters that embody the moral dilemmas that arise from the corruption and disturbance of the natural order.
- Analyzes how frankenstein and ai are interconnected in being scientific advances that have the potential to go against the natural order of life.
- Analyzes how victor stopped before he finished the creation of a female, foreseeing the possibility of breeding. it is hard to believe that many would be willing to allow ai to enjoy basic rights
- Explains frankenstein's creature in chambers dictionary of literary characters.
- Explains frankenstein, victor, in chambers harrap's dictionary of literary characters.
- Explains that "artificial intelligence." the columbia encyclopedia. new york: columbia university press, 2008. credo reference. web. 25 april 2011.
- Explains brachneos' essay frankenstein – a literature essay on social context comments.
- Explains burns, alisa, "frankenstein of the future." n.p., sept. 2002.
- Explains links999's ethical and moral issues regarding artificial intelligence.
- Describes the encyclopedia of consciousness, oxford: elsevier science & technology, 2009. credo reference.
- Analyzes how marry shelly's warning of unbridled technology was aimed at the drivers behind the industrial revolution.
- Analyzes how shelley was trying to show the people of her time, that if we let technology go unbridled, we will live to regret it.
1592 wordsRead More - Character Development in Mary Shelley's Frankensteinanalytical essayCharacter Development in Mary Shelley's Frankenstein In any novel the author is free to create and shape their characters in whatever way they see fit. In Frankenstein, Shelley does an excellent job of shaping her characters, be it however minute their part in the story, so that the reader gets a clear picture of Shelley's creations. It seems that each character in Shelley's Frankenstein is created by Shelley to give the reader a certain impression of the character. By doing this Shelley creates the characters the way she wants us to see them.
In this essay, the author
- Analyzes how shelley's frankenstein character is created by her to give the reader a certain impression of the character. she tells us certain things about them and gives them certain traits.
- Analyzes how the old man, de lacy, is the father of the family whom the monster watches after he has left his place of creation in ingolstadt.
- Analyzes how shelley portrays elizabeth as a compassionate, innocent, gentle soul. she accepts victor's dejection and despair even though she never understands the cause.
- Analyzes how shelley's monster is one of the most complex and intriguing characters in the novel. it is a hideous and gargantuan being of discolored flesh and assorted body parts.
- Analyzes the significance of shelley's creation of william, justine, clerval, elizabeth, m. frankenstein, and victor.
- Analyzes how shelley creates two sides to the monster, a side with compassion, love, and happiness along with an evil side of revenge and misery.
- Analyzes how shelley created the characters in frankenstein so that we get a distinct impression of their personalities and their purpose in the book.
- Describes shelley's frankenstein: a norton critical edition, ed. j. paul hunter.
1648 wordsRead More - Mary Shelley's Frankensteinanalytical essayOnce in a while, the news exposes horrid crimes in which offenders react to unfair treatments or uncontrollable incidents strayed from their good aims. These types of accounts often trigger debates on who are primary villains. In a complex society, one’s limited objectives sometimes trigger cascading effects, especially if one deviates from one’s rectitude. Therefore, without a precaution on the consequence, one’s free will may end with a disaster. Mary Shelley typifies this notion in her fiction Frankenstein, in which Victor Frankenstein, a fervid scientist, creates a monstrous creature in his heedless pursuit of knowledge at a cost of a few lives. Although the creature causes several deaths in this novel, he is a victim more worthy of forgiveness and compassion than Victor, whose moral failure as a creator is responsible for this tragedy.
In this essay, the author
- Analyzes how mary shelley typifies this notion in her novel, frankenstein, in which victor creates a monstrous creature in his heedless pursuit of knowledge.
- Analyzes how victor abandons the newborn creature, leaving the helpless orphan to suffer the society's rejection.
- Analyzes how victor is an experienced adult who has choices to forestall the tragedy, but escapes his responsibility.
- Analyzes how victor ignores the being's virtues and quests for vengeance, which precipitates his own death.
- Analyzes how shelley asserts that one's actions need to be aligned with one’s social obligations. when people forsake their moral duties, they often trigger undesired outcomes with their victims.
1181 wordsRead More - Victor And Elizabeth's Childhood In Frankensteinanalytical essayA child's first steps are taken in the home. These experiences shape their existence for the rest of their lives. Jean Hall says that “The family may help the child grow up...loving...or a tyrant”. This fact holds ground in Mary Shelley's Frankenstein, as Victor and Elizabeth's childhood and the Creatures “childhood” are vastly different, which push them down very unlike paths. These differences are made so to connect the book to Mary Shelley's overall messages she wants to articulate about: Society's emphasis on wealth and appearance, and Nature vs Nurture.
In this essay, the author
- Analyzes how victor and elizabeth's childhood and the creatures' "childhood" are vastly different, which push them down very unlike paths.
- Analyzes how victor and elizabeth's childhood reflects the main meaning of the whole as a commentary on the power of wealth in society.
- Analyzes how mary shelley illustrates a picture of horror on so manys faces during the monsters' "childhood" to comment on society's importance placed upon appearance.
- Analyzes how mary shelley touches on the sense of nature vs nurture in victor and the creature.
- Analyzes how mary shelley used different childhoods to illustrate, give insight and commentary to issues with society that still plague us to this day.
891 wordsRead More - The Values Of Society In Mary Shelley's Frankensteinanalytical essayIn Mary Shelley’s novel, Frankenstein, values of society are clearly expressed. In this particular society and culture, a great value is placed on ideologies of individuals and their contribution to society. In order to highlight these values, Shelley utilizes the character of Victor Frankenstein. Frankenstein is the main character of the novel, and with his alienation, he plays a significant role that reveals the surrounding society’s assumptions and moral values of individualism and use in society. This is done through Victor’s actions of self-inflicted isolation.
In this essay, the author
- Analyzes how mary shelley's novel, frankenstein, emphasizes the value of individualism and contributions to society through victor frank
- Analyzes how victor becomes isolated when he indulges in the writings of old philosophers, like cornelius agrippa, paracelsus, and magnus.
- Analyzes how victor goes into a state of grief when his brother's murderer is his creation, and justine is executed for his crimes. victor responds by further isolating himself.
- Analyzes how victor's continual isolation from society helps highlight the values of that culture.
431 wordsRead More