Scarica Frankenstein or the modern Prometheus by Mary Shelley e più Appunti in PDF di Inglese solo su Docsity! Frankenstein or the modern Prometheus by Mary Shelley Mary Shelley (1797-1851): she was the daughter of a radical philosopher and of a feminist (inspiration for her future ideas and novels→ concern for human beings..). In 1814 she met Percy Shelley and travelled all around Europe together. Once in Geneva, they met Byron and during a storm, which inspired her, she wrote Frankenstein. The modern Prometheus = rebellion against God, man can create other beings as well, he can ‘save’ humanity. Genres: Novel- Gothic Literature; Romantic Movement. First Published: In 1818 Setting: Narration begins in Russia then transitions to Geneva, Switzerland. The setting switches often, but the majority is set in Europe. Three narrators: Walton, Frankenstein and the monster. Major Thematic Topics: treatment of the poor and uneducated; use of knowledge for good or evil purposes; invasion of technology into modern life; the restorative powers of nature Motifs: danger of knowledge; obsession; revenge Major Symbols: the monster; electricity; lightning; weather Main actions: -Robert Walton and his letters referring to Victor Frankenstein and his tragic story (gifted boy, raised with Elizabeth, an orphan adopted by his family, his love for science, his mother’s illness). -University, creation of the monster, sense of guilt, disgust and fear. -Loneliness of the monster and murders. -Justine Moritz falsely accused of the murder. -The monster confronts with his maker with a proposition — "make me a mate of my own." Victor refuses. -The monster has taught himself to read and understand language so that he can follow the lives of his "adopted" family, the De Laceys. While the monster wanders the woods, he comes upon a jacket with a notebook and letters that were lost by Victor. From the notes, the monster learns of his creation. He suffers rejection by mankind and he wants to take revenge on Victor who refuses to create a second creation. -Murder of Henry Clerval and of Elizabeth. -Victor now wants revenge and chases the monster through Europe and Russia. Victor nearly catches the monster near the Arctic Circle when Robert Walton discovers him. Victor, now near death, is taken aboard Walton's ship to recover. -The monster enters the cabin of the ship and tells Walton his side of the story. Victor dies. The monster then disappears in the waves and darkness, never to be seen again. Deep Analysis of the novel: Frankenstein's monster represents the coming of industrialization and progress to Europe. Frankenstein is a gothic romantic novel. Some literary historians also consider Frankenstein the first science fiction novel. Gothic novels focus on the mysterious or the supernatural, take place in dark, often exotic, settings. The double is a frequent feature of the Gothic novel, and in a sense, Frankenstein and his monster are doubles, just like two halves of one character. Can they co-exist? In the end, this competition reduces both men to ruins. The gothic atmosphere (mysterious places like the Arctic, cemeteries, creation of a monster from a dead body, psychic communication between Victor and the monster, storm signalling that something evil is going to happen, regions unexplored by most readers, laboratories and scientific experiments) contrasts with the warmth Walton feels from meeting Victor and his desire for friendship, both Romantic elements. Framing technique: the letters written by Walton close the "frame" in the novel. Walton's version of the story is used to make Victor's story more believable. Walton gives some validity to the story. Mary Shelley focuses on some crucial topics like the treatment of the poor and uneducated, her desire for an ideal society where people aided each other and the less fortunate. Mary Shelley seems to pull her own experiences from childhood into the writing of Victor's background (presence of a stepmother, adopted "cousin", Mary's mother and Victor's mother also share an interest in visiting the poor). Perhaps Shelley is
