The Enduring Appeal of Mary Shelley's Frankenstein

The Enduring Appeal of Mary Shelley's Frankenstein

"Frankenstein" is a gothic novel written in the 19th century by

nineteen year old Mary Shelley. It was written in 1816 during a time

of great social, political and cultural change. Science was seen as

the means for progress and Shelley lived in a time of great scientific

development and discovery. This is reflected in her novel where Victor

Frankenstein is a young and idealistic scientist whose obsession with

the nature of human existence drives him to pursue science to it's

ultimate possibilities regardless of moral or ethical considerations.

He rejects his creation and the creature takes revenge on him by

destroying everything Frankenstein has ever loved and finally killing

him. "Frankenstein" incorporates many different elements including

traditional gothic horror and science fiction which still appeal to

the modern reader through our fascination with the mysterious and

terrifying. At the turn of the nineteenth century old ways in all

areas were being usurped by science and its new and unsettling

applications and implications for future change. The enduring appeal

of Mary Shelley's novel with its creation of human life has parallels

today where science has realised this gothic dream through cloning and

stem cell growth. Its sophisticated language and interesting structure

makes this novel appealing to the modern reader.

"Frankenstein" is undoubtedly one of the greatest gothic novels ever

written. It was written in the gothic horror tradition which means

Shelley emphasises the grotesque elements, the mysterious, the

desolate environments, the horrible and terrifying and, ultimatel...

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...ng God, without perhaps, fully considering the moral and ethical

issues as raised by Mary Shelley in her novel. The female characters

and their apparent weaknesses can still be found in various media,

despite changes and awareness created through feminism and the

changing roles of women in society. The creature's dual roles in the

novel perhaps reflect the present-day anxieties of many people,

regarding their role and purpose in society and the deep human need to

be accepted and loved. Its enduring appeal to the modern reader

originates in the emotions the characters exhibit and their reactions

to the various situations they find themselves in. The reader cannot

help but empathise with the very realistic characters, especially the

creature and his obviously human traits, which remain at the heart of

the novel's appeal.