"Frankenstein": A Religious Allegory?

Paper Summary:

This paper discusses the possibility of reading Mary Shelley's "Frankenstein" as an allegorical work. It offers a possible double reading of the text. In other words, the paper suggest that it would seem that some instances in Frankenstein would lead the reader to believe that the story is, in fact, an allegory; yet, other times, the characters in the book that seemed to portray religious figures, do not match up with whom they are supposed to symbolize. The paper presents three main reasons that the story could be read as a religious allegory. First, there is the obvious relation of Victor creating the monster to God creating man. Second, the monster may symbolize Jesus in two instances that he helps mankind, only to be rejected. Lastly, the book contains some other smaller allegorical connections. In conclusion, the paper maintains that although Mary Shelley's lack of expertise of Biblical knowledge led to a somewhat distorted religious allegory, nonetheless, it is a valid one.

From the Paper:

"The first, and perhaps most evident, event in the story that portrays an allegory comes fairly early. Victor created the being in the likeness of himself, with all the pieces of the puzzle fitting together beautifully, much like how God created man in the beginning of time, and in the likeness of God. But in both instances, it did not take long for both creators to see that their creations had already failed and disappointed them. Once again from the eyes of a non-religious person, the connection seems between God and Victor to their creations seems quite realistic, however, there were differences in the reasons for creating the beings. Victor wanted to find a way for himself to live forever by experimentation, God, of course, created man to have a companion, for he knew he was going to live forever. Also, God already knew that when he created mankind, that man would soon fail Him, whereas Victor could not possibly know the fate of his creation on his life. God also, of course, did not desert his creation when it failed Him, unlike Victor (Shelley 29-36)."

Sample of Sources Used:

• Shelley, Mary. Frankenstein. New York: Dover Publications, Inc., 1994.

More papers on "Frankenstein": A Religious Allegory?:

• Book Review # 68789 : "Mary Shelly's "Frankenstein" and Voltaire's "Candide"
• Book Review # 105396 : "Sleep of Reason and Monsters"
• Comparison Essay # 68783 : "Monsters in Literature"

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