The Creator's Creation: A Review of Mary Shelly's Frankenstein

Hey everyone! I hope you all are doing okay. Welcome to another thrilling literary review of a classic novel that you've probably read a million times already. But, just in case you haven't, let me introduce you to Frankenstein by Mary Shelley. You know, the one where a mad scientist creates a monster and then regrets it? Sounds exciting, right?

But wait! Before you click away, did you know that Mary Shelley wrote this masterpiece at the ripe age of 19? Talk about overachieving. And let's not forget the fact that it was first published anonymously, leading people to believe her husband, Percy Bysshe Shelley, wrote it. And let's not forget the famous quote "I beheld the wretch—the miserable monster whom I had created" which is basically the protagonist's way of saying "oops."

So, grab your coffee and get ready for a journey through the literary review of Frankenstein, where we will explore the themes, characters, symbolism, and much more that make this novel a timeless classic and a must-read for every literature lover out there, even if you've read it a million times already.

Synopsis:
Frankenstein is a novel written by Mary Shelley and first published in 1818. It tells the story of a young scientist named Victor Frankenstein who becomes obsessed with the idea of creating life. He studies the secrets of life and death and eventually creates a creature made from dead body parts. He is initially thrilled with his success, but as soon as the creature opens its eyes, Frankenstein is horrified by its grotesque appearance. He abandons the creature, leaving it to fend for itself in the world. The creature, feeling rejected and alone, sets out to find Frankenstein and seek revenge. It learns about the world and human society through interactions with various people but is constantly rejected and shunned because of its appearance. Eventually, it comes to Frankenstein's home and pleads with him to create a companion for it, but Frankenstein refuses. The creature then turns to violence and starts killing those close to Frankenstein, including his best friend, his brother, and his wife. Frankenstein, consumed by guilt and grief, sets out to track down the creature and destroy it. The novel ends with both Frankenstein and the creature dying in the Arctic, with the creature lamenting the tragedy of its existence and Frankenstein's failure to accept responsibility for his actions.
Throughout the novel, Shelley explores themes of the dangers of playing God, the nature of good and evil, and the consequences of neglecting the responsibilities that come with creating life. The novel also raises questions about the nature of beauty and acceptance, as the creature is rejected and shunned because of its appearance. The story is told through a series of letters and narrations by the various characters, adding depth to the characters and their perspectives.

Characters:

There are several key characters in the novel that drive the story and its themes.

Victor Frankenstein is the protagonist and the creator of the monster. He is a brilliant and ambitious scientist who becomes obsessed with the idea of creating life. He is driven by his ambition and his desire to uncover the secrets of life and death, which ultimately leads to his downfall.
•  The monster, also known as the creature, is Victor's creation. He is a physically large and grotesque being who is initially kind and innocent but becomes embittered and vengeful due to his rejection and isolation from society. He represents the dangers of playing God and the consequences of unchecked ambition and hubris.
•  Robert Walton is a captain and explorer who is the narrator of the novel's framing story. He encounters Victor as he is on his deathbed and is the one who recounts the story of Victor's creation of the monster and its aftermath.
•  Elizabeth Lavenza is Victor's adopted sister and later his wife. She is a kind and compassionate character who serves as a contrast to Victor's ambition and selfishness.
•  Henry Clerval is Victor's closest friend and confidant. He is a kind and compassionate character who serves as a foil to Victor, highlighting his own flaws and mistakes.
The characters in Frankenstein serve to drive the story and its themes, and their interactions and relationships with each other add depth and complexity to the novel.

The Novel's Overarching Message:

Frankenstein explores several themes and messages throughout its story. Some of the main messages of the novel are:

•  The dangers of playing God: The novel's central character, Victor Frankenstein, becomes obsessed with the idea of creating life and ultimately creates a creature that he is unable to control. This serves as a warning about the dangers of attempting to play God and the consequences that come with overreaching in the field of science.

•  The nature of good and evil: The creature, initially kind-hearted and innocent, is driven to violence and murder due to the rejection and mistreatment it faced from society. This raises questions about the nature of good and evil and whether individuals are inherently good or evil, or if their actions are shaped by their experiences and surroundings. 

•  The consequences of neglecting responsibility: Frankenstein creates the creature but fails to take responsibility for its well-being, leading to disastrous consequences for himself and those around him. This serves as a reminder of the importance of taking responsibility for one's actions and the consequences that come with neglecting responsibility.

•  The importance of acceptance and beauty: The creature is rejected and shunned by society solely because of its appearance, despite its initially good nature. This highlights the importance of acceptance and the shallowness of society's definition of beauty.

The power of knowledge and discovery: The novel also explores the idea that the pursuit of knowledge and discovery can lead to great advancements but can also have unintended consequences if not handled responsibly.

• The human condition: The novel explores the human condition, the emotions and psychology of its characters, and the impact of isolation, rejection, and the longing for companionship.

Language and Style: 
Frankenstein is a novel written in the English language. The style of the novel is Gothic, which is characterized by elements of horror and the supernatural. The novel is considered a classic of Romantic literature, which is a literary movement that emerged in the late 18th and early 19th centuries in Europe. Romantic literature is characterized by an emphasis on emotion, imagination, and individualism.
In terms of style, the novel is written in a narrative form, with the story being told through the perspectives of multiple characters. The novel is composed of letters, journal entries, and narratives, which creates a sense of immediacy and intimacy with the characters. The novel is also written in a descriptive style, with Shelley using vivid and detailed language to create a sense of atmosphere and setting.
Frankenstein also has elements of science fiction, as it explores the consequences of creating life through scientific means and the ethical implications of playing God. The novel also touches on themes such as isolation, the dangers of unchecked ambition, and the consequences of playing with nature.
Shelley's writing style in Frankenstein is often described as evocative and intense. She uses vivid and descriptive language to create a sense of atmosphere and setting. The novel is a horror story, but also a thought-provoking exploration of the human condition, and the relationship between science, nature, and morality.

Literary Analysis and Symbolism:

Frankenstein is a novel that explores the dangers of unchecked ambition and the consequences of playing with nature. The novel's main theme is the pursuit of knowledge and the consequences of its acquisition. The novel's protagonist, Victor Frankenstein, is a scientist who becomes obsessed with the idea of creating life and ultimately creates a monster. The novel is also a commentary on the nature of humanity, and the relationship between creator and creation. Victor Frankenstein is initially horrified by the monster he has created but eventually comes to feel a sense of responsibility for it. The monster, in turn, is initially innocent and kind-hearted but becomes violent and destructive as a result of the rejection and abuse he faces from society.

The novel also explores the theme of isolation and the human need for connection and acceptance. Both Victor and the monster are isolated and alone, and this isolation ultimately leads to their downfall. Victor's isolation is the result of his obsession with his scientific experiments, while the monster's isolation is a result of his grotesque appearance.

Frankenstein also touches on the themes of nature and nurture, and the role they play in shaping a person's character and behavior. The monster is initially kind and compassionate but becomes violent and destructive as a result of the way he is treated by society.

There are several symbols in Frankenstein as well that add depth and meaning to the story.

1. The most prominent symbol is the monster himself, who symbolizes the dangers of playing God and the consequences of unchecked ambition and hubris. The monster also symbolizes the rejection and isolation that can result from societal prejudices and ignorance.
2. The natural world and the elements, such as the lightning that brings the monster to life and the Arctic setting of the monster's final confrontation with Victor, symbolize the power and dangers of nature.
3. The pursuit of knowledge and science is a prominent symbol in the novel as well, as Victor's desire to uncover the secrets of life and death ultimately leads to his downfall.
4. The novel's subtitle, "The Modern Prometheus," references the Greek myth of Prometheus, who stole fire from the gods to give to mankind and was punished for his actions. This symbolizes the idea that the pursuit of knowledge and power can lead to negative consequences.
5. The novel also uses the motif of the family, and the fact that Victor's creation is rejected by him, symbolizing that family is the foundation of society, and the rejection of it can lead to destructive consequences.

The symbols in Frankenstein sure serve to enhance the themes of the novel and add depth and complexity to the story.

The Author and a Glimpse into her Other Writings:

Mary Shelley (August 1797 – 1 February 1851) was an English novelist, short story writer, and dramatist, best known for her novel Frankenstein. She was born in London, England, and was the daughter of the feminist Mary Wollstonecraft and the political philosopher William Godwin. Shelley began writing at a young age, and her first novel, Frankenstein, was published in 1818 when she was just 21 years old. The novel was published anonymously, and it was an immediate success. It is considered one of the most famous and enduring works of horror and science fiction in English literature.

Shelley's other notable works include:

1. Frankenstein (1818) - Or "The Modern Prometheus" - Her most famous and enduring work, considered a classic of Romantic and Gothic literature, as well as a pioneering work of science fiction.
2. The Last Man (1826) - A novel set in the 21st century that tells the story of a group of friends who are the last survivors of a devastating plague that has wiped out humanity.
3. Valperga (1823) - Or "The Life and Adventures of Castruccio, Prince of Lucca" - A historical novel set in 14th-century Italy that explores themes of power, ambition, and love.
4. The Mortal Immortal (1833) - A short story about a man who is granted immortality but discovers that living forever is not as wonderful as he had imagined.