Frankenstein as a Historical Reference

Frankenstein as a Historical Reference

The dangers associated with the pursuit of knowledge and scientific research and experimentation are boundless. The book Frankenstein by Mary Shelley was written in 1818 after a period characterized by the Enlightenment, the Industrial Revolution, and Romanticism.  The story was written concerning the changes that were taking place at the time. Therefore, it plays a significant role in illustrating historical movements and tells a chronological account of their then-present lives. Accordingly, Frankenstein focuses on the revolution in science, the dangers associated with the pursuit of knowledge, freedom of choice, the changes in emotions that influence moods, and the outcasting that leads to horror.

Enlightenment is the concept of achieving clarity of perception, reason, and knowledge. 1818 was a period of enlightenment, whereby people developed a hunger for knowledge, which led to the scientific revolution. As Mary Shelley writes in Frankenstein, the focus on the dangers of the pursuit of knowledge is an evident theme in the story. In his quest for knowledge, Frankenstein found a way to resurrect dead beings; this pursuit of knowledge revolutionized the world of science. Despite this discovery, Frankenstein kept the result to himself and did not inform other people of it. Moreover, his discovery occurred when spiritual practices were still dominant, and such a scientific discovery would not have been well received. Additionally, during this period, people’s interest in science had just started to sprout. Frankenstein’s passion for science led him to create a monster that would end the lives of his dearest friends and relatives. Mary Shelley writes that Frankenstein was so scared of his creation that he ran away from it and afterward spent the rest of his life chasing it to kill it. Mary Shelley warns of the dangers that might have come with people’s desire for knowledge.

Romanticism focuses on the inspiration, imagination, and freedom of individuals. Freedom of choice, free will, and secrecy are also significant themes in the story. Frankenstein chooses to create the monster based on his inspiration and motivation to keep the discovery a secret and kills the monster based on his freedom to act as he pleases. Had Frankenstein shared the scientific discovery, people might have helped him capture it and kill it before it killed people. He only shared the discovery towards the end when he informed Robert Walton. Also, the monstrous being chose to kill all its victims and destroy property out of vengeance. As Mary Shelley writes, the monster thinks of itself as a good being and only hurts people because of the alienation it feels. Accordingly, it asked Frankenstein to create a female, which he doesn’t produce. Additionally, moods resonate with the natural environment, such as the death of Frankenstein in the icy parts of the North.

Moods and emotional rollercoasters are also evident in the story, which indicates the romanticism of 1818. The monster is the most prominent character of this nature. It claims itself to be good and kind, yet it kills people; furthermore, it mourns Frankenstein’s death despite having ill feelings towards him and killing his brother, wife,  and friend. According to Britton 2015, Frankenstein creates a monster, but he is frightened by it; he also wants to kill it, yet he makes a female for it, which he also destroys.

Mary Shelley uses the book Frankenstein to describe her uncertainty of the Industrial Revolution. According to her, the revolution would lead to monsters’ creation, as illustrated in the book. Additionally, the creation of the creature demonstrated the effects of the combination of industrialization and science. The monster’s alienation and all the challenges it was put through and did indicate the negative impacts that would come from industrialization, such as social division and poverty.

Frankenstein is a good source of historical study. This conclusion is reached because the writer, Mary Shelly, used symbolism to describe the uncertain changing times of the year 1818. The book and characters illustrate the fears that came with the changing times.

Work Cited

Britton, Ronald. “Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein: What Made The Monster Monstrous?”. Journal Of Analytical Psychology, vol 60, no. 1, 2015, pp. 1-11. Wiley, https://doi.org/10.1111/1468-5922.12126.

Turvey, John, and Mary Shelley. Frankenstein. Longman, 1998.

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Frankenstein as a Historical Reference

Examine the historical relevance of Frankenstein by Mary Shelley, focusing upon examples of the ideas concerning and the reaction to the historical movements of the Enlightenment, Industrial Revolution, and Romanticism. Give examples from Shelley’s work that illustrate the ideas, characteristics, and events of these 3 movements.