The Parent Child Relationship in Frankenstein - Case Study Example

The Parent – Child Relationship in Frankenstein [Name of the Student] [Name of the University] The Parent – Child Relationship in Frankenstein The nineteenth century was witness to the authorial brilliancy of Mary Shelley. Her parents were illustrious and radical authors. Her mother was Mary Wollstonecraft, who was a redoubtable feminist, while her father was the eminent philosopher William Godwin. Shelley acquired considerable knowledge regarding the works of her parents, which she admired and diligently studies[DAm09]. This was quite evident in the creation of her magnum opus, Frankenstein or the Modern Prometheus. The absence of her mother caused Shelley to feel a palpable loss, which she attempted to recreate by means of her novel. This has been the point of view of the psychoanalysts. In the words of Meadow, narcissism is a phenomenon, wherein individuals attempt to reconnect with a missing component of their self [DAm09]. We find this observation echoed in Shelley’s statement that Frankenstein was her hideous progeny. This could be construed as some detested aspect of herself, and Shelley could have even deemed herself to be the cause of her mother’s demise, and that of her biological descendants. It is from this perspective that Frankenstein can be construed as the story of an orphan that has been constructed around the desire to revive life from death [DAm09]. On the other hand, the diametrically opposite view can be taken that it represents a desire to repeat death experiences. Moreover, this can also be comprehended as a struggle, in which features of life and death are concurrently craved for and opposed. In other words, the monster in Shelley’s engrossing tale can be visualised as a detached portion of herself. If the notions of Freud and likeminded psychoanalysts are to be accepted and it is accepted that psychic conflicts find expression in dreams, then the Shelley’s dream, which was the inspiration for her work, could provide the information that would clarify these contentions and provide satisfactory answers[DAm09]. Frankenstein depicts uncontrolled passions, and parental figures are incredibly loving or vicious. In addition, the narrative is replete with impulsive love among fraternal relations, with oppressing outcomes; ill – fated loves; and social organisations that depict a parody of justice, hospitality, and reason. The narrators of the tale find it difficult to comprehend a world, which from their perspective is uncontrolled, and which seems to be functioning under cultural and natural forces that are ubiquitous and unpredictable[Bro03]. The world of each character is perceived from their own limited perspective, which tends to be one of helplessness. These entities exhibit a paradoxical penchant to participate and escape from their individual world. Thus, the powerful character Walton forsakes the land of angels to a place that he considers the paradise of his own creation. In addition, Walton either cannot or will not come to terms with civil life and mature responsibility. This characteristic can presumably be extended to the novel in its entirety [Bro03]. In fact, this novel exhibits the undesirable in the growing up process. Shelley craved for a happy and loving family, and this was portrayed in her novel. For instance, Victor’s family was depicted as being replete with parental love and concern. The monster seeks refuge in a place that stands adjacent to Victor’s residence, and the De Lacey family, who reside there, are closely knit, with a surfeit of love and concern for each other. The children in the De Lacey family were given the Latin name Felix or happy and the Greek name Agatha or good, by Shelley[Bad06]. The De Lacey family does not have a mother, and this is akin to the monster and Shelley. The monster nurtures the fond hope that he can procure the love and affection of that family, due to his virtues. Then, the monster expresses his misgivings and declares that humanity and his maker have adopted measures that have gradually served to transform his nature into one of wrath and violence from benevolence and goodness[Bad06]. He also discloses that his endeavours to befriend men have been rejected with abuse, fear and horror. From these responses to his sincere attempts, the monster concludes that human nature is a mixture of noble and treacherous qualities. Moreover, he realises that man is to be viewed with suspicion and caution. This could indicate the apprehensions and perceptions of Shelley towards her fiancé Percy, regarding the extent to which his interests could be ambivalent and undergo diversion[Bad06]. Shelley’s story contains themes relating to fair play, honour, and loyalty in the deeds of men and the love of women. It is in this context that Safie apparently represents Shelley. Safie is without a mother, and represents wisdom in Greek. One of the interpretations of this situation is that Shelley concluded that Percy was safely ensconced by her love and she was desirous of having a similar status. Felix and Safie are finally united and this can be understood as the commingling of safety and happiness[Bad06]. This union was very near to Shelley’s heart, who wished for a similar development in her life. Although, Percy indulged in acts that were not conducive the health of happiness of lovers or spouses, Mary overlooked them in anticipation of an eventually secure life with him[Bad06]. Moreover, in Mary Shelley’s work, Victor developed postnatal depression due to being disenchanted with parenthood in general and mothering in particular. There was no other person to advise or encourage him, regarding his creation. Thus, his undertaking was shrouded in secrecy and conducted in seclusion of his own choice[Pat96]. He remained isolated due to his preoccupation, and was rendered alienated from society while bringing his child into the world. In his context, parenting was transformed into an issue of ownership, possession and self – glorification. Thus, it could be construed that Victor lived for and through his child[Pat96]. As such, he endured the burden of loneliness in parenting and was devoid of the competence necessary to address it. As such, it would be reasonable to presume that Mary Shelley had adopted this theme from her own experience. Her mother had ceased to be, after her birth; and she had been raised by her father. The latter remarried within a short time, in order to ensure that the children would be looked after by more than one person[Pat96]. Shelley’s father was convinced that the isolated individual would develop viciousness. This belief was shared by her. However, she also believed that viciousness was the outcome of parental neglect. When something created is not provided with love, then it wreaks vengeance on the creator[Pat96]. Despite Victor’s declarations of attachment, his never – ending claims of familial love, disclose the insufficiency of the home life. On being carefully perused, Victor’s story significantly emasculates his insistence upon the perfect home. Victor had shown a marked intention to remember the best of all possible worlds[Cla85]. This denotes the psychological defence of a lone child who preserves a love – hate relationship with his parents. This type of relationship results from the awareness of the child that his parents enjoy a relationship with each other that excludes him [Cla85]. Thus, Victor is merely an object of his parents’ love and not a participant in it. In addition, Victor provides several instances, wherein he recollects and stresses the devotion that his parents had for each other, which was to his implied detriment. In what can be described as deliberate hyperbole, Victor emphasises the boundless love shown to him by his mother. He has even stated that he continually received a lesson of charity, patience, and self – restraint, during his infancy[Cla85]. Subsequently, a daughter, Elizabeth was born to his parents. Strangely, Victor does not mention sibling rivalry, but keeps on declaring that he was rendered happier with this addition to the family. In fact, he has stated that he was in a harmonious relationship with his sister, whom he regarded as his gift and made her his own possession[Cla85]. Victor was given to showering praises on his parents, especially with regard to their concerted awareness regarding their responsibility towards their offspring. However, he does not depict similar emotions and regard. There have been several critics, who have accorded substantial importance to the absence of a mother, later on in the life of Victor and with regard to the creation of his monster[Mil09]. In contrast to this, Hogarth of the Iron Giant fame has a devoted mother but no father. Hogarth’s relation with the Iron Giant depends to a considerable extent upon his necessity for a father figure. In this situation, Hogarth rapidly dons the role of a parent and proves to be an exemplary father for the Iron Giant[Mil09]. As such, it can be surmised that Shelly has adapted the theme of this novel from her own life experiences. She has accorded great value to the parent and child relationship, as she had believed in and desired a happy family life, which was denied to her during her life time. List of References DAm09: , (D'Amato, 2009, p. 119), DAm09: , (D'Amato, 2009, p. 127), Bro03: , (Brown, 2003, p. 164), Bad06: , (Badalamenti, 2006, p. 429), Bad06: , (Badalamenti, 2006, p. 430), Bad06: , (Badalamenti, 2006, p. 431), Pat96: , (Patterson, 1996), Cla85: , (Claridge, 1985), Mil09: , (Miller, 2009, p. 394), Read More

The De Lacey family does not have a mother, and this is akin to the monster and Shelley. The monster nurtures the fond hope that he can procure the love and affection of that family, due to his virtues. Then, the monster expresses his misgivings and declares that humanity and his maker have adopted measures that have gradually served to transform his nature into one of wrath and violence from benevolence and goodness[Bad06]. He also discloses that his endeavours to befriend men have been rejected with abuse, fear and horror.

From these responses to his sincere attempts, the monster concludes that human nature is a mixture of noble and treacherous qualities. Moreover, he realises that man is to be viewed with suspicion and caution. This could indicate the apprehensions and perceptions of Shelley towards her fiancé Percy, regarding the extent to which his interests could be ambivalent and undergo diversion[Bad06]. Shelley’s story contains themes relating to fair play, honour, and loyalty in the deeds of men and the love of women.

It is in this context that Safie apparently represents Shelley. Safie is without a mother, and represents wisdom in Greek. One of the interpretations of this situation is that Shelley concluded that Percy was safely ensconced by her love and she was desirous of having a similar status. Felix and Safie are finally united and this can be understood as the commingling of safety and happiness[Bad06]. This union was very near to Shelley’s heart, who wished for a similar development in her life.

Although, Percy indulged in acts that were not conducive the health of happiness of lovers or spouses, Mary overlooked them in anticipation of an eventually secure life with him[Bad06]. Moreover, in Mary Shelley’s work, Victor developed postnatal depression due to being disenchanted with parenthood in general and mothering in particular. There was no other person to advise or encourage him, regarding his creation. Thus, his undertaking was shrouded in secrecy and conducted in seclusion of his own choice[Pat96].

He remained isolated due to his preoccupation, and was rendered alienated from society while bringing his child into the world. In his context, parenting was transformed into an issue of ownership, possession and self – glorification. Thus, it could be construed that Victor lived for and through his child[Pat96]. As such, he endured the burden of loneliness in parenting and was devoid of the competence necessary to address it. As such, it would be reasonable to presume that Mary Shelley had adopted this theme from her own experience.

Her mother had ceased to be, after her birth; and she had been raised by her father. The latter remarried within a short time, in order to ensure that the children would be looked after by more than one person[Pat96]. Shelley’s father was convinced that the isolated individual would develop viciousness. This belief was shared by her. However, she also believed that viciousness was the outcome of parental neglect. When something created is not provided with love, then it wreaks vengeance on the creator[Pat96].

Despite Victor’s declarations of attachment, his never – ending claims of familial love, disclose the insufficiency of the home life. On being carefully perused, Victor’s story significantly emasculates his insistence upon the perfect home. Victor had shown a marked intention to remember the best of all possible worlds[Cla85]. This denotes the psychological defence of a lone child who preserves a love – hate relationship with his parents. This type of relationship results from the awareness of the child that his parents enjoy a relationship with each other that excludes him [Cla85].

Thus, Victor is merely an object of his parents’ love and not a participant in it. In addition, Victor provides several instances, wherein he recollects and stresses the devotion that his parents had for each other, which was to his implied detriment. In what can be described as deliberate hyperbole, Victor emphasises the boundless love shown to him by his mother.

Read More