Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley’s novel, Frankenstein, remains an influential piece of gothic literature utilized and widely studied in today’s society for its intricate writings. This chilling novel, inspired by a time of scientific advancement and misogynistic practices, contains various similarities to other literary works and theories. Various components of Frankenstein connect to the feminist theory, the Genesis creation story, and the Prometheus creation story through themes expressing prejudice against women, the power of knowledge, and symbolism revealed in the elements. Perhaps one of the most noticeable characteristics of Frankenstein is the oppression of women and lack of a strong, central female character. In the late 1700s, “writers
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Frankenstein resembles Prometheus when utilizing his extensive knowledge to fabricate the monster from almost nothing. Just as “Prometheus shaped man out of mud” (Hunt), Victor shaped his creature out of various body parts he gathered and then assembled into something he intended to be beautiful and to magnificently showcase his labor and studies. On the night Victor brought his work to life, he “collected the instruments of life around [him], that [he] might infuse a spark of being into the lifeless thing that lay at [his] feet” (Shelley 58) in the same way Prometheus gifted man with fire, or, a spark of life. While Prometheus cared deeply for man, Frankenstein wanted nothing to do with his creature and ultimately regretted ever bringing it to life. Prometheus and Victor viewed their creations differently, but both suffered great consequences for their decisions. Prometheus stole fire to gift to man, and was punished by “being tormented day and night by a giant eagle tearing at his liver” (Hunt). Victor suffered in the same way by being tormented day and night by the thought of the evil he unleashed on the world, and the guilt was unbearable. Frankenstein resembles other widely known works and literary theories such as the feminist theory, the Genesis creation story, and the Prometheus creation story. The connections between these works are weaved in through themes of prejudice, knowledge, and power and symbolism for creation. Mary Shelley’s incorporation of various pieces of literature that tie into aspects of Frankenstein make it an influential novel that reveals the truth behind the power of knowledge, and the consequences associated with
Frankenstein resembles Prometheus when utilizing his extensive knowledge to fabricate the monster from almost nothing. Just as “Prometheus shaped man out of mud” (Hunt), Victor shaped his creature out of various body parts he gathered and then assembled into something he intended to be beautiful and to magnificently showcase his labor and studies. On the night Victor brought his work to life, he “collected the instruments of life around [him], that [he] might infuse a spark of being into the lifeless thing that lay at [his] feet” (Shelley 58) in the same way Prometheus gifted man with fire, or, a spark of life. While Prometheus cared deeply for man, Frankenstein wanted nothing to do with his creature and ultimately regretted ever bringing it to life. Prometheus and Victor viewed their creations differently, but both suffered great consequences for their decisions. Prometheus stole fire to gift to man, and was punished by “being tormented day and night by a giant eagle tearing at his liver” (Hunt). Victor suffered in the same way by being tormented day and night by the thought of the evil he unleashed on the world, and the guilt was unbearable. Frankenstein resembles other widely known works and literary theories such as the feminist theory, the Genesis creation story, and the Prometheus creation story. The connections between these works are weaved in through themes of prejudice, knowledge, and power and symbolism for creation. Mary Shelley’s incorporation of various pieces of literature that tie into aspects of Frankenstein make it an influential novel that reveals the truth behind the power of knowledge, and the consequences associated with