Frankenstein
Christian Johnson
Coomer
English 12
26 February 2013
Frankenstein: Character Symbolism
The Enlightenment brought forth numerous intriguing and revolutionary philosophical ideals that changed the world for the rest of eternity. These ideas altered the way people thought of society and human nature. People where not just born good or evil; society and the environment predominantly evoked a person’s behavior and attitude. Writers began depicting the ideals throughout their writings, whether it is clear and blatant or obscured within it. British novelist especially used characteristics that are based from different philosophies. It allowed the writers do express deep beliefs about the world around them. Mary Shelley, a British author, grew up in the Industrial Revolution, which causes her to experience numerous advancements in humanity’s growth. Even with this great progress, there were experiments and ideas that were shrouded with fear of going past the limit of humanity and causing disaster. Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein has intricate characters that symbolize bold views of societal involvement on innocent life.
The philosophical teachings of John Locke purposed that children are born with a tabula rasa. Where children have blank slates, and that they are pure until exposed to evil (“Locke, John”) Innocent life in life in Frankenstein represented through The Monster. In the chilling story, he is being abused and neglected by virtually everyone he came across. All due to the fact that his appearance causing people to be frightened and horrified because he appeared hideous. Any attempt for compassion and friendship ends in him being forced to flee. The Monster begins to truly resent Victor Frankenstein as well as all humanity. His first evil and violent act came when he had met and young boy named William. When he confronts the young child, he begins to yell at monster saying that he will have his Father, Alphonse Frankenstein, will punish him for
Coomer
English 12
26 February 2013
Frankenstein: Character Symbolism
The Enlightenment brought forth numerous intriguing and revolutionary philosophical ideals that changed the world for the rest of eternity. These ideas altered the way people thought of society and human nature. People where not just born good or evil; society and the environment predominantly evoked a person’s behavior and attitude. Writers began depicting the ideals throughout their writings, whether it is clear and blatant or obscured within it. British novelist especially used characteristics that are based from different philosophies. It allowed the writers do express deep beliefs about the world around them. Mary Shelley, a British author, grew up in the Industrial Revolution, which causes her to experience numerous advancements in humanity’s growth. Even with this great progress, there were experiments and ideas that were shrouded with fear of going past the limit of humanity and causing disaster. Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein has intricate characters that symbolize bold views of societal involvement on innocent life.
The philosophical teachings of John Locke purposed that children are born with a tabula rasa. Where children have blank slates, and that they are pure until exposed to evil (“Locke, John”) Innocent life in life in Frankenstein represented through The Monster. In the chilling story, he is being abused and neglected by virtually everyone he came across. All due to the fact that his appearance causing people to be frightened and horrified because he appeared hideous. Any attempt for compassion and friendship ends in him being forced to flee. The Monster begins to truly resent Victor Frankenstein as well as all humanity. His first evil and violent act came when he had met and young boy named William. When he confronts the young child, he begins to yell at monster saying that he will have his Father, Alphonse Frankenstein, will punish him for
Cited: Bertram, Christopher. "Jean Jacques Rousseau." The Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy. Standford: 2012. Web. 25 Feb. 2013 “Locke, John”. Encyclopedia of Children and Childhood in History and Society. 2008. Web. 25 Feb. 2013 Marcus, Steven. "Frankenstein: myths of scientific and medical knowledge and stories of human relations." The Southern Review 38.1 (2002): 188+. Literature Resource Center. Web. 26 Feb. 2013. Shelley, Mary. Frankenstein. New York: Dover Publications, Inc., 1994. Print.