Concetti Chiave
- Mary Shelley's novel "Frankenstein" draws inspiration from ghost stories and scientific theories, particularly the reanimation of corpses and the myth of Prometheus.
- Influences include the ghost stories read at Villa Diodati and Coleridge's "The Rime of the Ancient Mariner," which parallels Dr. Frankenstein's defiance of natural laws.
- Main characters include Walton, Margaret Saville, Dr. Frankenstein, and the creature, highlighting themes of forbidden knowledge and societal alienation.
- The novel explores complex themes such as the pursuit of forbidden knowledge, the double nature of characters, and the usurpation of women's roles in creation.
- Gothic novel characteristics are evident with elements of horror and terror, settings in isolated castles, and a mysterious atmosphere prevalent in 18th-century literature.
Mary Shelly's inspiration
Mary Shelly in her introduction to the novel Frankenstein says that she took inspiration from the ghost stories, she had book reading in those time but also from her reading about the reanimation of corps and the creation of life. Mary Shelly recreation the myth of Prometheus. In fact Prometheus, stealing fire from the gods to give to man, challenged the divine authority as much as “Dr. Frankenstein” challenged the laws of nature to create a new human being from dead bodies.
Ghost stories and scientific theories
Another important aspect that inspired her was a ghost stories read at villa Dionati and the rime of the ancient mariner by Coleridge. In his poem Coleridge tells the story of marines who a crime against nature as Dr. Frankenstein did by sheeting the albatross.
Mary Shelly vary much attracted by the latest scientific theories of or time especially by experiment in field of chemistry and on electricity is not by chance that Dr. Frankenstein gives life to his creature using electricity.
Main characters
The main characters are:
• Walton a young explorer on a voyage of expedition to the north pole.
• Sister of Walton Margaret Saville
• Dr. Frankenstein
• The creature that is the result of negative experiment its defined as: devil, fiend, monstrous, detested form.
The technique of novel is the form epistolary, there are three different narrators that are Walton that informs his sister ( Margaret Saville). Then Frankenstein informs Walton, who informs Frankenstein, who informs Walton, who informs his sister
The THEMES :
• Find the figure of the man in search of the forbidden knowledge
• The figure of the overreaches , both Mr Walton and Dr. Frankenstein try to go beyond the natural limits.
• The themes of the double in fact Dr. Frankenstein is very much like his creatures the monster. They are similar in their alienation and isolation from society, they wont to be good at first, but they feel hatred and revenge over society.
• Frankenstein tries to get in to the secrets of nature but he is finally defeated-
• Another import theme in the novel is the usurpation the role of woman as creates of a new life
• The novel shows the figure of outcast in society. Both Frankenstein and the monster are victims of social prejudices they are isolated from society they feel lovely but at the same time they are proud of being different.
The Gothic novel :
Gothic novel characteristics
The Gothic novel become popular in 18th century thanks to circulating libraries in all social classes . the word Gothic in a first time was linked to architecture then the word Gothic was used for literature, Horace Walpole was the first to establish a link between the two.
The main ingredients of Gothic novel are horror and terror as two different ingredients the former characterized by obscurity and uncertainty and the later by evil and atrocity. The setting time is the night because it create an atmosphere of gloom, oppression and mystery. The setting place characterized by isolated castles, mysterious abbeys and convents and secret rooms. The atmosphere is mystery and gloom. The characters of Gothic novels are honorable and sensitive heroes simply and honest heroes.
Domande da interrogazione
- What inspired Mary Shelly to write "Frankenstein"?
- How does the myth of Prometheus relate to "Frankenstein"?
- What role does electricity play in "Frankenstein"?
- What are the main themes explored in "Frankenstein"?
- How does "Frankenstein" embody characteristics of a Gothic novel?
Mary Shelly was inspired by ghost stories, scientific theories about reanimation, and the myth of Prometheus. She was particularly influenced by ghost stories read at Villa Diodati and Coleridge's "The Rime of the Ancient Mariner."
The myth of Prometheus, who stole fire from the gods to give to man, parallels Dr. Frankenstein's challenge to the laws of nature by creating life from dead bodies, both acts defying divine or natural authority.
Electricity is crucial in "Frankenstein" as it is the means by which Dr. Frankenstein brings his creature to life, reflecting Mary Shelly's interest in contemporary scientific experiments in chemistry and electricity.
Key themes include the pursuit of forbidden knowledge, the consequences of overreaching, the duality between Dr. Frankenstein and his creature, the usurpation of the female role in creation, and the isolation of societal outcasts.
"Frankenstein" features Gothic elements such as horror and terror, settings of gloom and mystery, and characters who are isolated and misunderstood, aligning with the genre's focus on obscurity, evil, and atmospheric tension.
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