Ranking of Monstrosity in Frankenstein and The Picture of Dorian Gray
Frankenstein written by Mary Shelley in 1818 is a Romantic novel recounting Victor Frankenstein’s creation of a grotesque monster and the unintended consequences that follow. While The Picture of Dorian Gray written by Oscar Wilde is a Victorian novel recounting the creation of Dorian Gray’s portrait. Although Shelley’s Frankenstein and Wilde’s The Picture of Dorian Gray were were written during different literary eras, both share an uncertainty in defining what characteristics make a man a monster. Mary Shelley and Oscar Wilde create ambiguity in the texts by constructing multiple characters, who could be interpreted as monsters. Although multiple characters could be considered …show more content…
When Victor attends University of Ingolstadt, he completely isolates himself from society and his loving family, who begged him to stay connected. Victor Frankenstein is motivated by pride and scientific curiosity, but his misguided ambitions lead to the formation of a monster. Victor Frankenstein becomes so enthralled in his work that it appears he has an unhealthy obsession with the pursuit of knowledge, and this curiosity persuades him in an attempt to recreate human life. He selfishly isolates himself, “while [he pursued [his] undertaking with unremitting ardour” (Shelley 32). Victor is incredibly naive and irresponsible to believe that his experiment will not yield any negative repercussions. He successfully brings his creation to life going against the natural order, abandons his creation, and refuses to take any responsibility for his creation or its actions. If Victor’s reaction to his creation’s birth would not have been “breathless horror and disgust” (Shelley 35), his creation would not have developed such a hatred for humanity. Britton argues that “the absolute horror of peri-natal rejection from both mother and child” (Britton 9) portrayed in Frankenstein can be further interpreted as a reflection of Mary Shelley’s emotional reaction to the abandonment from her own mother. Mary Shelley’s characterization of Victor as incredibly monstrous does not allow the …show more content…
Mary Shelley and Oscar Wilde differ in the way they chose to portray these manipulated characters, for Frankenstein 's creation is physically grotesque, while Dorian Gray is beautiful. Victor Frankenstein and Lord Henry Wotton are the most monstrous characters, for they both manipulate those around them due to their corrupt nature. Victor Frankenstein and Lord Henry Wotton, who can both be considered “artists” of their craft, create something dangerous out of curiosity and this creation leads to their destruction. Victor Frankenstein produces a monster through scientific experimentation, while Lord Henry Wotton creates Dorian Gray through social experimentation. Neither character accepts responsibility for the effect’s of their
Frankenstein written by Mary Shelley in 1818 is a Romantic novel recounting Victor Frankenstein’s creation of a grotesque monster and the unintended consequences that follow. While The Picture of Dorian Gray written by Oscar Wilde is a Victorian novel recounting the creation of Dorian Gray’s portrait. Although Shelley’s Frankenstein and Wilde’s The Picture of Dorian Gray were were written during different literary eras, both share an uncertainty in defining what characteristics make a man a monster. Mary Shelley and Oscar Wilde create ambiguity in the texts by constructing multiple characters, who could be interpreted as monsters. Although multiple characters could be considered …show more content…
When Victor attends University of Ingolstadt, he completely isolates himself from society and his loving family, who begged him to stay connected. Victor Frankenstein is motivated by pride and scientific curiosity, but his misguided ambitions lead to the formation of a monster. Victor Frankenstein becomes so enthralled in his work that it appears he has an unhealthy obsession with the pursuit of knowledge, and this curiosity persuades him in an attempt to recreate human life. He selfishly isolates himself, “while [he pursued [his] undertaking with unremitting ardour” (Shelley 32). Victor is incredibly naive and irresponsible to believe that his experiment will not yield any negative repercussions. He successfully brings his creation to life going against the natural order, abandons his creation, and refuses to take any responsibility for his creation or its actions. If Victor’s reaction to his creation’s birth would not have been “breathless horror and disgust” (Shelley 35), his creation would not have developed such a hatred for humanity. Britton argues that “the absolute horror of peri-natal rejection from both mother and child” (Britton 9) portrayed in Frankenstein can be further interpreted as a reflection of Mary Shelley’s emotional reaction to the abandonment from her own mother. Mary Shelley’s characterization of Victor as incredibly monstrous does not allow the …show more content…
Mary Shelley and Oscar Wilde differ in the way they chose to portray these manipulated characters, for Frankenstein 's creation is physically grotesque, while Dorian Gray is beautiful. Victor Frankenstein and Lord Henry Wotton are the most monstrous characters, for they both manipulate those around them due to their corrupt nature. Victor Frankenstein and Lord Henry Wotton, who can both be considered “artists” of their craft, create something dangerous out of curiosity and this creation leads to their destruction. Victor Frankenstein produces a monster through scientific experimentation, while Lord Henry Wotton creates Dorian Gray through social experimentation. Neither character accepts responsibility for the effect’s of their