"Frankenstein"

Paper Summary:

This paper discusses Mary Shelley's novel, "Frankenstein." It discusses the moral of the novel being how the main character dies as a result of his hubris and faith in science rather than in the Bible. It then discusses how the subtitle, "The Modern Prometheus," fits into this interpretation. The paper analyzes parts of the novel in order to explains how the book rejects both scientific rationalism and traditional theology.

From the Paper:

"Even to 19th century readers, Shelley's ambiguous views of science and religion were likely to resonate. The analogies of creator and created are deliberately ambiguous in their parallels with Romantic literature. Frankenstein is tempted by science to transgress moral boundaries, yet he also tempts the creature to sin, by casting him adrift in the world. The creature has never done anything wrong, but because of the fallen nature of his creator, becomes fallen and estranged himself. Yet the creature possess a Romantic soul and an understanding of the real purpose of human existence, that to be fully human requires connection with others as well as the transcendence of human limitations--and this, most blasphemously of all, is an idea that fundamentally eludes his creator."

Sample of Sources Used:

• Shelley, Mary. Frankenstein. Literature.org: The Online Literature Library. Last Updated May 2005. 19 Mar 2007. <http://www.literature.org/authors/shelley-mary/frankenstein/>

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