The Role Of Individualism In Mary Shelley's Frankenstein

Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein discusses the mortal and moral limitations of individuals and the extent to which they attempt to transcend these boundaries. In particular, Shelley faults these attempts as foolhardy, brought forward by the misconstrued values and beliefs of ideologies prevalent at this time. Specifically, the Enlightenment movement (circa 1700s) valued pragmatism and individualism; believing that the pursuit of knowledge was noble and that nature was to be dominated by man. These values are shown in varying degrees within Victor Frankenstein, the Creature and Robert Walton. By use of characterisation, language and setting Shelley challenges these values and attitudes, instead favouring the mindset that natural forces controlled men and that extreme use of these values and …show more content…
Within the early chapters of the book Frankenstein shows little regard for human companionship once he discovers the power of animating life. Frankenstein’s exaggerated state of individualism leads to him making a comparison of his discovery to that of God’s (“happy and excellent natures would owe their being to me), and throughout the book, similar references are made time and time again. As Frankenstein was written in a period which still placed great importance on religion and God, this comparison would have been viewed as blasphemy, and consequentially, disapproved of by society. Frankenstein’s hubris, caused by his inflated sense of individualism and the belief that the pursuit of knowledge was unparalleled in terms of importance, lead to a casual disregard of morality. Frankenstein gives constant and rather flippant referrals of macabre doings (“my workshop of filthy creation”). His lack of hesitance towards the creation of the Creature also stems from these same values and attitudes. Frankenstein’s obsession with the pursuit of knowledge overtakes natural concern for his companions, as shown when he urges Walton