Frankenstein Intrigue Analysis

The intrigue of any science fiction novel is derived from the fascination of the hypothetical but plausible realities presented. Mary Shelley’s 1818 critically acclaimed science fiction/Gothic novel, Frankenstein, is about the young science student Victor Frankenstein, facing the repercussions after he creates a grotesque but sentient creature in an unorthodox experiment. Ostensibly about a story about revenge, the novel can have different perspectives depending on a changing audience. From the perspective of an audience of scientists, the novel provides an insight to the ambition possessed by those truly devoted to the pursuit of knowledge. An audience of philosophers would interpret the bioethical implications of conducting unorthodox experiments …show more content…
This is constructed through plot and characterisation during Frankenstein’s reaction to his monster. In order to build the monster, Frankenstein harvest body parts, and goes on to naively spark life into this monster. Horrified at his creation and oblivious to his naivety, Frankenstein runs out of his laboratory. He later comes back, and to his relief “the apartment was empty, and my bedroom was also freed from its hideous guest. I could hardly believe that so great a good fortune could have befallen me, but when I became assured that my enemy had indeed fled.” The act of body snatching itself is both illegal and sacrilegious, but this is completely disregarded so Frankenstein can indulge his curiosity. In addition to Frankenstein’s irreverence to the deceased, his neglect to his own sentient creature is evidence of his shallow nature as seen through him failing to control or contain his creation, being distracted by and avoiding his monstrous appearance. He willingly allows his creation, a gigantic, intimidating, and confused monster, to escape without any thought to what would happen to innocent civilians that the monster may encounter. In a contemporary, western scientific community, the ethical considerations regarding the experimentation of live or deceased subjects are prioritised over the information that …show more content…
An audience of scientists, would interpret the novel of the dramatic lengths curiosity can take someone in the pursuit of knowledge. An audience of philosophers would interpret the act of conducting unorthodox experiments and failing to adhere to contemporary bioethics as unethical. The interpretation from an audience of feminist would view women as oppressed and objectified by the males. Despite its age, Frankenstein still offers a diverse array of interpretations and pertinent to the scientific advancements in society, as artificial intelligence becomes more plausible and