Mary Wollstonecraft argues that myths such as the Fall and Prometheus are designed ‘to persuade us that we are naturally inclined to evil’. Discuss this claim in relation to two texts from the course.
Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein and Angela Carter’s ‘The Bloody Chamber’ both discuss the nature of evil and whether or not ‘we are naturally inclined’ to it. These two texts both agree and disagree with Mary Wollstonecraft’s claim in various ways. The following essay will explore how these texts discuss the claim that ‘we are naturally inclined to evil’. The Creature and Victor Frankenstein are both utilised by Shelley to represent and subvert mankind’s “natural” evil. Upon its awakening Frankenstein deems his creature to be a ‘miserable monster’ …show more content…
As the monster is never nurtured or taught morals it is very easy to view this as a depiction of natural evil. However many of the acts committed by the Creature are done in response to the unkindness shown to him by humans and in particular by his creator – and metaphorical God. This allegory is used by the Creature itself when talking to Frankenstein, though it is unsure exactly which role it plays in this parody of the Genesis myth: ‘“I ought to by thy Adam; but I am rather the fallen angel, whom thou drivest from joy for no misdeed.’” Though created as Adam was he is damned by his creator as Lucifer was, but unlike either of them he is alone without others of his kind to comfort him. Frankenstein’s refusal to provide the Creature with a companion leads to most of the Creatures crimes. After his original awakening the Creature in fact seems to be curious and wishes for the companionship of mankind. This becomes particularly clear during his stay in the hovel beside the DeLacey’s, during which, after observing them, he would do chores for them in the night to make their lives easier: ‘“I thought (foolish wretch!) that it might be in my power to restore happiness to these deserving people.”’ Despite having no knowledge of these people he wishes to help them simply because he enjoys watching them and wishes to make their lives less miserable. It is during this …show more content…
This character both represents and subverts the idea of a ‘natural inclination to evil’ claimed by Mary Wollstonecraft. The Piano-tuner tells the heroine – the Pianist – of the old tales about the Marquis’ ancestors: ‘There was a Marquis, once, who used to hunt young girls on the mainland; he hunted them with dogs, as though they were foxes. My grandfather had it from his grandfather’ this dynasty of murderous Marquises gives a sense of evil begetting evil and therefore that the Marquis has a natural tendency towards murderous behaviour. This dynasty is further emphasised: ‘the walls on which his ancestors in the stern regalia of rank lined up with their dark eyes and white faces’ this emphasis on the number of ancestors extends the idea of a hereditary evil. That all of his ancestors share similar features to that of the Marquis emphasises the idea of an almost supernatural aspect, of an immortal being who has murdered throughout the centuries. Like the Creature in Frankenstein, the Marquis almost seems remorseful when he condemns his wife to death: ‘And it seemed to me he was in despair’ this along with the ‘terrible, guilty joy’ shows a kind of natural inclination to evil – though he knows that these acts are wrong he still on some level wants to commit them and enjoys them. However the Marquis’ knowledge that what he is doing is
Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein and Angela Carter’s ‘The Bloody Chamber’ both discuss the nature of evil and whether or not ‘we are naturally inclined’ to it. These two texts both agree and disagree with Mary Wollstonecraft’s claim in various ways. The following essay will explore how these texts discuss the claim that ‘we are naturally inclined to evil’. The Creature and Victor Frankenstein are both utilised by Shelley to represent and subvert mankind’s “natural” evil. Upon its awakening Frankenstein deems his creature to be a ‘miserable monster’ …show more content…
As the monster is never nurtured or taught morals it is very easy to view this as a depiction of natural evil. However many of the acts committed by the Creature are done in response to the unkindness shown to him by humans and in particular by his creator – and metaphorical God. This allegory is used by the Creature itself when talking to Frankenstein, though it is unsure exactly which role it plays in this parody of the Genesis myth: ‘“I ought to by thy Adam; but I am rather the fallen angel, whom thou drivest from joy for no misdeed.’” Though created as Adam was he is damned by his creator as Lucifer was, but unlike either of them he is alone without others of his kind to comfort him. Frankenstein’s refusal to provide the Creature with a companion leads to most of the Creatures crimes. After his original awakening the Creature in fact seems to be curious and wishes for the companionship of mankind. This becomes particularly clear during his stay in the hovel beside the DeLacey’s, during which, after observing them, he would do chores for them in the night to make their lives easier: ‘“I thought (foolish wretch!) that it might be in my power to restore happiness to these deserving people.”’ Despite having no knowledge of these people he wishes to help them simply because he enjoys watching them and wishes to make their lives less miserable. It is during this …show more content…
This character both represents and subverts the idea of a ‘natural inclination to evil’ claimed by Mary Wollstonecraft. The Piano-tuner tells the heroine – the Pianist – of the old tales about the Marquis’ ancestors: ‘There was a Marquis, once, who used to hunt young girls on the mainland; he hunted them with dogs, as though they were foxes. My grandfather had it from his grandfather’ this dynasty of murderous Marquises gives a sense of evil begetting evil and therefore that the Marquis has a natural tendency towards murderous behaviour. This dynasty is further emphasised: ‘the walls on which his ancestors in the stern regalia of rank lined up with their dark eyes and white faces’ this emphasis on the number of ancestors extends the idea of a hereditary evil. That all of his ancestors share similar features to that of the Marquis emphasises the idea of an almost supernatural aspect, of an immortal being who has murdered throughout the centuries. Like the Creature in Frankenstein, the Marquis almost seems remorseful when he condemns his wife to death: ‘And it seemed to me he was in despair’ this along with the ‘terrible, guilty joy’ shows a kind of natural inclination to evil – though he knows that these acts are wrong he still on some level wants to commit them and enjoys them. However the Marquis’ knowledge that what he is doing is