The Decadence Of Individualism In Mary Shelley's Frankenstein

Literary works are able to shape an individual. The Republic by Plato contributed to how the American government system works; To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee continues to fight racism and inequality; literature is a major factor in the evolution of both the society and the individual. This is exemplified in a number of historical figures, though perhaps the best example of novels’ effects on an individual is Frankenstein’s Monster of Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein; or, a Modern Prometheus. However, in this case, literature contributed to the decadence of the Monster, who, in a volatile and impressionable state, read Paradise Lost by John Milton, Plutarch’s Lives by Plutarch, The Sorrows of Young Werther by Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, and
The formation of these parallels caused the Creature to view himself as a prototype pariah who would fall into the depths of moral turpitude. These views of himself soon came to fruition, and became a driving force for the Monster’s hatred of Frankenstein (parallel to the god that banished Adam and was fought against by Satan) and the rest of humanity. Substituting The Art of Fielding by Chad Harbach would have the opposite effect. The Art of Fielding centers around five main characters who contribute to a single novel; these characters often rely on each other and relate with one another, making a fittingly therapeutic tale for the lonely Monster. The novel delves into the importance of creating bonds with others, and how one benefits from these bonds. Though this may cause the Creature to go into a sadder state, he would be much more pitiable by Frankenstein and less willing to murder those who held these treasured
This novel is a tale of a young person caught in a love triangle, and only has an escape in the form of death, so he committed suicide. Sadly enough, no one attended the funeral of young Werther. These events are somewhat similar to the pursuit of love within The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald. However, in The Great Gatsby, Nick (the book’s narrator) and the character that serves as a symbol for God attend Gatsby's funeral, approving of Gatsby’s life. To the Creature, this blessing on a wretched life would seem like a blessing onto his own. The Great Gatsby provides a story that treasures the life of the deceased protagonist, whereas The Sorrows of Young Werther simply ends as a story of lonely misery. Plutarch's Lives is a series of biographies written by Plutarch, a Greek historian. This is the only book that did not contribute to the later malice of the Monster. Plutarch's Lives provides only biographies of historical and mythological people, which only gives the Creature a sense of a world outside of