History 2213 Take Home Project: Frankenstein Jared Robison Mary Shelleys novel Frankenstein is not only an excellent

representative from the Romantic literary period, but a pioneering effort in the science fiction genre. Perhaps the most striking characteristics of this book are the parallels drawn between the storys protagonist and antagonist, Victor and the monster; superficially, they are utterly opposed one to another, but in reality are remarkably analogous. Arguably, the most striking similarity between Victor and his horrible creation is a powerful, inborn, and undying affinity for family and human companionship. Throughout the narrative, Victor is uniformly portrayed as having an inexpressible affection for his cousin and immediately family, and a genuine emotional warmth for his friend Clerval. Approximately halfway through the novel, Frankensteins monster gives an account of his experiences; this account is dominated by a story in which the monster lives in close proximity to a small family. Through quiet, subtle observation and scrutiny of this family the monster comes to genuinely and sincerely have affection for the members of the family and desires to make their acquaintance and friendship. This subject of human companionship is obviously the most predominant theme of the novel, and appropriately so, as human emotional/social interplay is one of the most conspicuous aspects of everyday life. Another manner in which both Victor and his despised creation traverse identical psychological/emotive paths is discovered in their shared appreciation of nature. The text of Shelleys novel is equally distributed between the plot and descriptions of the characters environments. The presence of aesthetically pleasing scenes of nature is unavoidable; the presence and enumeration of such scenes is presented by the monologues of the narrator, Victor, and by the dialogue of the monster. Victors numerous travels within the story are dominated by descriptions of majestic mountains, beautiful lakes, and shimmering snow covered landscapes, all of which provide substantial delight for the protagonist. The monster also expresses joy at the observation of the coming of spring and associated rebirth of the countryside. The emotional fulfillment of both characters derived from the world around them is yet another trait they share. On a darker level, both characters views of themselves change drastically throughout the story; both Victor and the monster begin with optimistic, beneficial self-images and then deteriorate rapidly from there. These changes in view are not without justification either; both Victor and the beast commit shameful acts which they are completely cognizant of and take full responsibility for. Once Victor wrongfully uncovers the secret of life and then creates a monster which kills innocent humans, his view of himself becomes that of a criminal and outcast, no longer fitting for society. As Frankensteins monster meets with increasing amounts of hostility, culminating with the rejection of his creator, he comes to consider himself a pariah and resorts to violence and mayhem to satiate his anger and passion. Both characters becomes increasingly consumed with their darker sides and eventually embrace them wholly, and action which results in Victors death and the monsters suicide. When Victor creates the daemon, he instantly begins to loathe, fear, and despise it; these feelings intensify throughout the story. Frankensteins monster, upon learning of his creator, initially hopes that Victor will accept him and provide a mate, but these hopes are met with resistance and hatred. Hence, a potentially agreeable relationship between the two is replaced with animosity. Once Frankenstein and his creation come into complete variance with one another, the monster kills Victors wife, an act which causes Victor to pursue the monster into

the Arctic. This pursuit ultimately ends in the scientists death, a death which causes the heinous creature to become utterly dejected and miserable; these depressed feelings lead him to suicide. Mary Shelleys novel Frankenstein is a brilliant example of Romantic literature and a triumph for science fiction. The story intensely pits its two main characters against one another in spectacular fashion while drawing surprising parallels and similarities between them.