Mary Shelley s Frankenstein, And The Modern Prometheus

â€Å"Frankenstein, or the Modern Prometheus†, by Mary Wollstonecraft (Godwin) Shelley Mary Shelley s novel Frankenstein is best known for its influence in popular culture through many film adaptations. It is in fact, however, one of the great novels of ideas. Write an essay that discusses in what sense you think it is a novel of ideas. What are its claims about human reason and human nature? Shelley explores some aspects of human nature, specifically human lust for power and the unfortunate way we deal with it once it is achieved. Dr. Frankenstein achieved the power of giving an inanimate body life. This is a Godlike power. He continues to play God by passing judgment on his creation. The tragedy is he (as well as all the other people the monster comes in contact with) fails to see the good in his creation that is obviously there. If Dr. Frankenstein is the monster s God then the monster is literally Godforsaken. Considering the situation, the monster reacts in a very human way. It is largely agreed in American society today that a child who is isolated from human interaction cannot be blamed for his/her actions, and that neglect is one of the worst forms of abuse. In the same way Frankenstein s monster is not at fault for his acts of destruction but is actually the victim. In fact if there is a villain in this story it would be Frankenstein for his abuse of his monster. Shelley is also commenting on human prejudice, especially concerning appearance. TheShow MoreRelatedMary Shelley s Frankenstein And The Modern Prometheus912 Words   |  4 Pagesrefer to Mary Shelley s masterpiece Frankenstein or the Modern Prometheus as a starting point to drive the question: what it means to be human. Mary Shelley s Frankenstein or the Modern Prometheus suggests the possibility of reconstructing a broader approach towards scientific discovery by portraying the dangers of blindly pursuing scientific knowledge done so by the modern Prometheus that is Victor Frankenstein. Thomas Vargish in Technology and Impotence in Mary Shelley s Frankenstein statesRead MoreMary Shelley s Frankenstein And The Modern Prometheus1342 Words   |  6 Pagesthere is no doubt in the connection of the Greek God Prometheus and Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein, as the title of the book states: Frankenstein, or the modern Prometheus. Shelley made sure that the readers knew that Frankenstein is to be seen as the modern Prometheus, and all things in her book connect Fran kenstein to the Greek God that shaped Humanity. In this essay is stated that Frankenstein is indeed as Shelley meant, the modern Prometheus. Reasoning behind this is of how Frankenstein’s and Prometheus’sRead MoreMary Shelley s Frankenstein And The Modern Prometheus871 Words   |  4 PagesThe title of Mary Shelley s novel is Frankenstein; or the Modern Prometheus. So it shouldn t come as a shock that Mary Shelley was actually influenced by this tale. Her husband Percy Shelley had actually begun composing his own tale of Prometheus in the form of poetry entitled, Prometheus Unbound. He began composing this piece around the same time that his wife was publishing Frankenstein. Mary Shelley included The Modern Prometheus as part of her title for the novel and she attempts to compareRead MoreFrankenstein, By Mary Shelley s Frankenstein And The Modern Prometheus1316 Words   |  6 Pages Monstrosity in Marry Shelley s â€Å"Frankenstein† Mary Shelley s â€Å"Frankenstein† or â€Å"The Modern Prometheus† is an examination of monstrosity in all of its forms. Written during a time in which scientific, political and economical upheaval, the novel depicts mans desire to uncover every secret in the universe, while confirming the importance of the emotions that make us human, instead of monsters. But, what is considered to be a monster? When one thinks of a monster the first thing that comes to mindRead MoreMary Shelley ´s Frankenstein; Or, the Modern Prometheus, an Analysis of the Subtitle1219 Words   |  5 Pagesof creation.† (Shelley 37). Ab initio Victor Frankenstein, the main protagonist, is being put on a level with Prometheus through the subtitle. An indication that Mary Shelley did indeed have the myth in mind as she wrote the novel, is not only her subtitle, but moreover the parallels between the Prometheus myth and Frankenstein, which are undeniable. The title itself gives a lot away of th e story which follows. It links the modern world with the ancient Greek myth. Victor Frankenstein â€Å"steals† theRead MoreMary Shelley s Frankenstein And The Modern Prometheus1141 Words   |  5 Pagessomeone, do you think that you would take that chance? Prometheus is a Greek God who gave mankind fire, which had been stolen from Mount Olympus. â€Å"Frankenstein, or the Modern Prometheus,† by Mary Shelley is about a man name Victor Frankenstein who creates a â€Å"monster† and tells the story of the lives of each character, and the conflict between Frankenstein and his creation. Victor Frankenstein tried to play God in â€Å"Frankenstein, the Modern Prometheus,† by creating a his own specimen, giving his creationRead MoreMary Shelley s Frankenstein : A Modern Prometheus822 Words   |  4 PagesAllusions in Frankenstein: A Modern Prometheus Mary Shelley’s cautionary horror tale, Frankenstein: A Modern Prometheus, portrays the deadly consequences of callous indifference to life. Throughout the novel, Shelley employs allusions to the Prometheus myth, Paradise Lost, and â€Å"The Rime of the Ancient Mariner.† Through these allusions, Shelley illustrates the creature’s yearning for love and acceptance, and Victors lack of love and compassion which leads to his ultimate destruction. In the firstRead MoreMary Shelley s Frankenstein And The Modern Prometheus1470 Words   |  6 PagesIn Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein; Or, the Modern Prometheus: The Original 1818 Text Third Edition she presents the story of a man named Victor Frankenstein and his creation. The story is told through Robert Walton, a man at sea who meets the estranged Victor Frankenstein and shares Victor’s story to his sister, Margaret Saville through a series of letters. Through these letters we get an insight into the life of the Frankenstein family as well as the relationship Victor has built with his creatureRead MoreMary Shelley s Frankenstein And The Modern Prometheus1291 Words   |  6 Pages Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein, also known as The Modern Prometheus, is a gothic science fiction novel set in the eighteenth century. Though the story starts off with letters narrated by Robert Walton, who hopes to find a new passage from Russia to the Pacific Ocean, the main protagonist in the story is Victor Frankenstein. Victor Frankenstein was a swiss boy, born in Geneva, who grew up with a passion to find the â€Å"secret of life.† After attended the university at Ingolstadt and learning everythingRead MoreMary Shelley s Frankenstein - The Modern Prometheus946 Words   |  4 PagesFrankenstein by Mary Shelley is a Gothic novel which revolves around the concept of men overtaking the role of God by attempting to create life, which is successfully depicted through the character of Victor Frankenstein who creates and brings life to the â€Å"monster†, unaware of its consequences and responsibility. Similarly, the mythological story of â€Å"Prometheus† re volves around the young Titan who in attempts to help mankind, wages war with Jupiter by providing men with fire and how to utilize it