An Analysis of the Enlightenment Themes in Mary Shelleys Frankenstein - Essay Example

? An analysis of the Enlightenment themes in Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein Introduction The period termed as the Enlightenment period, denotes an era that marked the arrival of intellectual and cultural movements around the 17th and 18th centuries. This period mainly advocated for reason, criticism, logic and freedom in terms of thought contrary to dogmatic, superstitious and blinded faith. During this period, logic played a role in advocating for a world view that argued for an empirical view of human life in revealing the truth related to the universe, the self and the human society. These ideals were identified as being rational and the position held during this period was that, science of man exists and humankind’s history is progressive and can be improved or continued because of right thinking. In addition, this period also contributed to the argument that the life and character of humankind can improve as a result of embracing reason and education. In essence, the ideals set in the Enlightenment period led to a rise in thinkers who created a conflict within the establishment of politics and religion. These thinkers began to challenge religion using scientific methods rather than favouring deism and developed a belief system based on science and reason as the ideal alternative in improving lives (Butterfield 1957, p. 65). In same period, poets and writers also emerged and who, illustrated on the impact of enlightenment in their writings. One such novelist is, Mary Shelley and among her literary work includes a depiction of Frankenstein as “The Modern Prometheus”. In this book, Shelley reflects on the enlightenment themes such as aspirations and rebellion, among other themes that depicts the impact of enlightenment. As described by Shelley, Victor Frankenstein as a scientist seems discontent and aspires to achieve satisfaction in terms of venturing into the world of the supernatural. This result from an uncontrolled intellectual ambition where, Victor Frankenstein is obsessed with inventing something that is above his control. As a result, his ambitious tendencies become misled and he finds himself in a hollow existence as evident in his statement that: “People should learn from him, either by precept or as an example, in regard to the dangers of acquiring knowledge. Frankenstein further reiterate that, a man can be happy by believing in his traditional town as the world other than, trying to achieve glory contrary to what nature can allow a man”( Shelley 1993, p.53). This in essence, depicts a tragedy that attaches itself to ambitious aspiration and further, as part of Shelley’s depiction Frankenstein ambitious aspirations, Victor assumes the responsibilities of God and Shelley (1993, p.9) describes this situation as Victor’s main crime. The enlightenment to extent brings in to focus an aspiration where the enlightened tends to assume or behave like God. Aspiration as a theme in Shelley’s Frankenstein involves a review of how an individual’s aspirations if not controlled can lead to futility. Aspirations as a result of enlightenment as described by Shelley does not often yield positive result, but raises various questions that still persist today. Furthermore, the degree to which aspiration in the arena of scientific advancement still raises the issue whether men ideas were valuable in terms of changing the world. Walton’s aspirations as a seafarer is occupied by thoughts of personal glory as evident in his voyage towards the North Pole and is determined to achieve that mission. The relationship between Victor and Walton revolved around their similarities in regard to their extremist ambitions and an egotistical thinking. Both are preoccupied with an ambition of discovering new phenomenon by treading on territory unknown to humanity. While Walton is obsessed with discovering easier means of seafaring, Victor is obsessed with creating new species that would identify him as the father or creator (Shelley 1993, p. 13). Ambitious aspirations, has led Walton to discard fears that include the risk of facing death since, he is preoccupied with the expectations that the voyage would have significant outcome for future generations. However, such ambition results in the endangerment of himself and the voyage’s crew, in a similar manner that Victor’s ambition is a danger to significant others around him. Victor’s obsession with his work isolated him from others as a result of fanciful imaginations and preoccupation with curiosity to achieve what is beyond physical and moral confinements. Further, the ungodly passion as evident in Victor’s case contributed to his isolation from loved ones because of focusing on unhallowed research. In many instances as highlighted in the novel, Frankenstein failed to reply letters sent to him by the loved ones and only recklessness and pride sailed him through his dark endeavours. Consequently, such notion contributed to Victor’s cruel ruination and pushing away loved ones. This novel highlights on the theme of aspiration in the sense that Shelley explains the consequences of ambitious aspirations and the need to exercise moderation in pursuing new discoveries beyond territory unknown to humanity. In a mutiny by the sailors where Walton succumbs, this does not ogre well with Victor who views Walton as deserting the aspiration to attain glory and suggest to Walton and the crew that: “Why are you turning away from your own design yet, you termed this mission as a glorious expedition not because of a smooth sailing on the south sea. It is because the expedition is surrounded with danger and terror and this is why the expedition is glorious and an honourable undertaking. The expedition will make you famous and viewed as a man who confronted death for the benefit of mankind. Stay on course to your purpose and avoid returning home with a stigma, you should return home as a hero who conquered the impossibility” (Shelley 1993, pp.163-164). Thus, such as speech as used in this novel is important in terms of developing an understanding the ambitions and motivation of Victor and Walton. However, Victor elaborates on stubbornness but does not realize that his own ignorance and stubbornness would lead to his death, and including his creature’s as well. The attitude of being more than a man is as highlighted in the novel reflects on the science’s attempt of controlling nature and assuming the role of God. In essence, the aspirations of Walton and Victor as highlighted in the novel reveals that pursuing glory while discarding personal safety is not worthwhile (Jansson 1999, p. 205). As part of being rebellious, Victor defies the physical and moral restrictions by creating a monster that seemed innocent at first. In the novel, Shelley assigns Victor with the knowledge to create life, but also highlights the dangers that may result from such ability in the realm of science. In the process of Victor engaging in his creation, he does not employ patience to allow a creation that is correctly proportionate in size. Further, a lack of patience also results in an absence of empathy that is vital in anticipating the consequences of making a choice. Shelley articulates on science to envisage its dangers and criticizes ambition by men and their elimination of the role of women. In the novel, the existence of Victor’s creature depicts a crippling effect in terms of individual’s struggle to deal with his own perceptions and an ambition to attain acceptance or divine approval. Shelley explains the existence of dogmatic structures that impede the spiritual and moral growth and eliminates God because of a focus on self-realization. The monster in the novel attest to the dogmatic structures since, its education follows many divergent paths within its short existence. The creature becomes bitter because of dejection from human civilization and his creator, Victor, is responsible for the monster’s hideous existence that leads the monster being spurned. After a repeated rejection, the monster develops violent tendencies that include seeking revenge (Mellor 1989, p.106). In chapter 6 of the novel, Victor awakens from dreaming the moment that the monster also awakens. During this time, Victor awakens to the horror of his own creation and result in him suffering from a sickness of the body and mind. This reflects on Victor’s unconventional character in terms of trying to assume the role of God. Further, Victor’s cruelty to the creature is a contrast to his parent’s devotion and Clerval’s unconditional care as he renounces his creation at birth and in this sense, the novel tries to explain the unethical character of Victor’s experiment and his own character. In terms of viewing the creature in Frankenstein’s eyes, one is inclined to believe that Victor’s hate for the monster has reached a hysterical pitch as evidenced in his reference to the creature as a “filthy demon”. This expression instantly leads to blaming the creature despite having no concrete ground to blame the creature. The decision by Victor to conceal the existence of the monster in an attempt to protect his reputation depicts him as being foolhardy and selfish. In the novel, the creature and Frankenstein denotes a psychological conflict that exists between a child and the parent. In essence, the monster’s vengeance against his creator is similar to the rebellion by Satan against God or Adam’s disobedience. In the same way, Frankenstein tried to violate the divine law. As a result, the monster rebelled since he did not have the advantages available to others such as a female companion and had concrete reason for fighting for a right to happiness. Further, the monster in chapter five as describes the monster avenges by taking the lives three people that are dear to Frankenstein and the murder of Elizabeth leads to a reversal of vengeance where Frankenstein sought vengeance on the monster. In the novel however, it is important to note that, the monster and Frankenstein are not two separate entities, but a complementary and antithetical. The creature presents an extension of the creator by representing the destructive tendencies inherent in Frankenstein. This reflects on a disintegrated personality, and Frankenstein acquires a disintegrated personality after engaging in dangerous experiments. In numerous confrontations, the monster prevails in terms of their unassailable logic. Further, if the creature is a reflection of Frankenstein, then, Captain Walton presents a projection of Frankenstein (Shelley 1993, p.189). In addition, the novel’s other examples related to aspiration include the association of science’s power to the metaphysical aspirations held by Professor Waldman. In his argument, he suggests that science has surpassed theology and philosophy and that, science had replaced spirituality in terms of achieving the impossible. Such aspiration led to Waldman promising impossibilities yet, he performed nothing. The other inspiration within the novel involves the attempt by the monster to be like others, but fails not because of his own fault. Further, another example of aspiration in the novel involves a persistent pursuit of knowledge. Shelley describes how aspiration for more knowledge result in an individual sacrificing his life and such sacrifices takes a toll on an individual’s health and affect the wellbeing of other people. In essence, Shelley cautions the society on the price that a zealous pursuit of knowledge can cause (Goldberg 1959, p.33). On the other hand, because of the creature’s yearning to achieve more knowledge of himself and the world results in a loss of innocence and leads the creature to an evil path. In the novel, Shelley reiterates that the more a person yearns for more knowledge, the more that person realizes why he is ostracized and turns him to a monster against humans. This is evident in the novel where the monster laments that: “Upon my admiration for the De Laceys, I did not believe that I was the one who was being reflected in the mirror, but when I realized I was the monster, I became filled with bitterness of despondence and mortification”(Shelley 1993, p.103). In the novel, the creature reviews the outcome of gaining more knowledge and realizes that the more it gains knowledge, the more miserable it becomes. Further, the creature notices that it cannot unlearn the acquired knowledge and regrets learning such knowledge. In the novel, the aspiration for knowledge by Victor, Walton and the creature leads them to suffer as a result of lost dreams and the repercussion for such dreams included a loss of family, happiness, friends and health. Concerning rebellion, additional example as highlighted in the novel involves the crew rebelling against the ambition by Captain Walton to sail towards the North Pole and expose their lives to the dangers of unexplored territories. Captain Walton’s crew realized the dangers of exploring unknown territory and decided to place the safety of their lives first rather than exposing themselves to danger, in pursuit of glory (Kerscmar 1996, p.732). The theme of conformity as used in this novel, is illustrated by Elizabeth where, just like other women during that period, did not confront men and were submissive. In illustrating an example of conformity in the novel, Elizabeth gladly accepts to marry Victor, as a condition for Victor to reveal to her his secrets. In the novel, Victor describes Elizabeth as docile and temperate and she was an epitome of a perfect woman because of her conformity. Elizabeth conformed by forgoing opportunities she has and instead adopted the character that represents a Victorian woman. However, Victor seems to view Elizabeth as being inferior and perfect as a result of her conformity. This conformity during that period was viewed by men as representing a woman’s image in the society and a construct of men’s mind, for a desire for protection and care (Labbe 1999, p.351). In the novel, the character of the female is depicted as being devoid of impurity and they are rarely viewed as visible or important. However, the character of an ideal woman depicted by Elizabeth provides a way to criticize the notions held on women. Further, the manner in which femininity is idealized in the novel is more monstrous compared to Victor’s creature since nothing is human about them. As a result of embracing the ideals of the period, women lost humanity and only remained as shells. As highlighted in the novel, the expectation from women involves playing a passive role to men. In the novel, Elizabeth plays a passive role in the Frankenstein family and has to keep in check the limits she can reach and accept the oppression she faces from the men in Frankenstein family (Labbe 1999, p.352). In conclusion, other than the novel describing a number of themes, the central themes that stands includes aspirations and rebellion. The enlightenment period saw a surge in pursuance of knowledge and ambitions to explore unknown territory to humankind. This turned led to the thinkers of that period being rebellious and defied spiritual, physical and moral restrictions in pursuit of glory. However, the ambition to surpass God lead to thinkers creating monsters that destroyed and left them in despair. This novel, tries to caution the excitement that accompanied the enlightenment period where more thinkers embraced science and scientific methods to improve lives. While using science to explore or discover unknown territory, it is important to take precautionary measures and avoid the consequences of experimenting with the unknown forces of nature. Reference List Butterfield, H. 1957, The Origins of Modern Science: 1300-1800. New York: Macmillan. Goldberg, M.A. 1959, Moral and Myth in Mrs. Shelley’s Frankenstein. Keats-Shelley Journal, Vol.8 (1): p. 33. Jansson, Siv 1999, Introduction and Notes to Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein, or, the Modern Prometheus. London: Wordsworth Editions Limited. Kerscmar, Rhonda R.1996, Displaced Apocalypse and Eschatological Anxiety in Frankenstein. South Atlantic Quarterly, Vol. 95(3):pp.729-747. Labbe, Jacqueline M.1999, A Monstrous Fiction: Frankenstein and the Wifely Ideal. Women’s Writing, Vo. 6 (3): pp.345-363 Mellor, Anne K. 1989, Mary Shelley: Her life, Her fiction, Her monsters. London: Routledge. Shelley, Mary 1993, Frankenstein, or, the Modern Prometheus. London: Wordsworth Editions Limited. Read More