Marxist Ideology in Mary Shelley's "Frankenstein"

Paper Summary:

This paper analyzes the novel "Frankenstein, by Marry Shelley and looks at how, from a Marxist point of view, it reflects the ideology of her time.

From the Paper:

"Mary Shelly is known as one of the greatest horror writers of all time, even though it may be more accurate to refer to her writings as introspective social commentary on the human condition and the state of society. Shelly's Frankenstein has become far more than just a novel. The story of this created Monster has been retold countless times and has become a part of the modern archetypal mythology. Shelly herself was raised by parents with influential artistic, political, and social ideas that infiltrated her personal ideologies and incarnated themselves in her work. Her father wrote a book called Enquiry Concerning Political Justice, in which he taught "public realization of rational ideals of justice and benevolence." This may be one of the first influences which inspired the Marxist elements that would later appear in Mary Shelly's work; Marxism after all is rational, and the public realization of benevolence could be equated with money for everyone. Her mother, on the other hand, wrote a novel called A Vindication of the Rights of Women before Mary was born, and the equal rights message of this book also may have drawn Shelly to a Marxist perspective. Whatever the influence, Shelly's Frankenstein is a stunning example of Marxist theories incorporated into literature, as the struggles of the characters parallel those experienced by the people in her own society."

More papers on Marxist Ideology in Mary Shelley's "Frankenstein":

• Analytical Essay # 90571 : "Women in Mary Shelley's "Frankenstein"
• Book Review # 113903 : "Monstrosity in Mary Shelley's 'Frankenstein'"
• Analytical Essay # 58030 : "The Role of Women in Mary Shelley's "Frankenstein"

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