Social Values in Mary Shelley's Frankenstein
Social Values in Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein
Frankenstein is a complex novel written during the age of Romanticism. It contains many typical themes of Romantic novels, such as dark laboratories, the moon and a monster; however, Frankenstein is anything but a common novel. In this paper, I shall analyze some aspects that make this novel unique in the history not only of Romantic literature but also of literature in general. At first, I shall deal with the socially constructed morality present in our society. Later, I argue how appearance may be central with respect to social interactions. As it is known, morality and appearance are concepts which are constructed in social interactions. We may notice that by comparing how these concepts change from one society to the other. The question of the morality of the actions of Dr. Frankenstein is now more important than ever, since current research on cloning of life forms and genetic engineering have been being developed. Perhaps, we may learn several lessons from the novel Frankenstein that can be applied in today’s technologically advanced world. It was Dr. Victor Frankenstein's opinion that it was morally acceptable to give life to his creation. Frankenstein's creation then needed a companion. Knowing that his first creation was evil, should the doctor make a second one? With the knowledge at hand, to Dr. Frankenstein, it is not morally correct to bring another monster into the world. Looking at this problem with his family in mind, the doctor begins his work on the second monster. The first monster threatened Frankenstein and even his family. The monster angrily said to Frankenstein, "I can make you so wretched." (pg. 162) Trying to scare Frankenstein for not creating his mate, the monster resorted to threats. If the doctor does create a companion for his creation, he may be putting other people in danger. "The miserable monster whom I had created" (pg.152), says Victor looking back at
Frankenstein is a complex novel written during the age of Romanticism. It contains many typical themes of Romantic novels, such as dark laboratories, the moon and a monster; however, Frankenstein is anything but a common novel. In this paper, I shall analyze some aspects that make this novel unique in the history not only of Romantic literature but also of literature in general. At first, I shall deal with the socially constructed morality present in our society. Later, I argue how appearance may be central with respect to social interactions. As it is known, morality and appearance are concepts which are constructed in social interactions. We may notice that by comparing how these concepts change from one society to the other. The question of the morality of the actions of Dr. Frankenstein is now more important than ever, since current research on cloning of life forms and genetic engineering have been being developed. Perhaps, we may learn several lessons from the novel Frankenstein that can be applied in today’s technologically advanced world. It was Dr. Victor Frankenstein's opinion that it was morally acceptable to give life to his creation. Frankenstein's creation then needed a companion. Knowing that his first creation was evil, should the doctor make a second one? With the knowledge at hand, to Dr. Frankenstein, it is not morally correct to bring another monster into the world. Looking at this problem with his family in mind, the doctor begins his work on the second monster. The first monster threatened Frankenstein and even his family. The monster angrily said to Frankenstein, "I can make you so wretched." (pg. 162) Trying to scare Frankenstein for not creating his mate, the monster resorted to threats. If the doctor does create a companion for his creation, he may be putting other people in danger. "The miserable monster whom I had created" (pg.152), says Victor looking back at