How does Shelley Use Allusions in Frankenstein

Mary Shelley’s *Frankenstein* is a rich tapestry of ideas, themes, and literary allusions, which intersect to explore profound questions about human nature, the quest for knowledge, and the ethical boundaries of scientific exploration. Shelley’s use of allusions not only enriches the text but also provides depth to her critique of the Enlightenment’s faith in reason and the Romantic rebellion against it.

One of the most notable allusions in *Frankenstein* is the reference to John Milton’s *Paradise Lost*.

Throughout the novel, Shelley parallels the narrative of the fallen angel, Lucifer, with both Victor Frankenstein and his creature. Victor’s overreaching ambition to create life mirrors Lucifer’s desire for power and subsequent fall from grace. Likewise, the creature, akin to Adam and Satan, experiences feelings of abandonment and alienation, leading him to question his own nature and the justice of his creator. In one poignant moment, the creature reflects on his situation by directly quoting *Paradise Lost*: “Like Adam, I was created apparently united by no link to any other being in existence; but his state was far different from mine in every other respect.”

Additionally, the creature finds solace and a form of identity in Milton’s epic, relating his feelings of exclusion from human society to those of Satan, saying, “Many times I considered Satan as the fitter emblem of my condition.” These allusions are crucial as they not only underscore the creature’s existential crisis but also deepen the reader’s understanding of his plight and provoke sympathy.

Shelley also embeds allusions to the myth of Prometheus, which is even subtitled in the novel’s title: *The Modern Prometheus*. In Greek mythology, Prometheus defies the gods by giving fire to humanity, for which he suffers eternal punishment. Victor Frankenstein embodies the Promethean archetype through his defiance of natural law to bestow life upon the dead, which brings about his downfall and the destruction of those he loves. This allusion serves as a moral warning about the dangers of hubris and the unforeseen consequences of tampering with nature’s order.

Another layer of allusion can be found in the references to alchemy and the works of alchemists like Cornelius Agrippa, which Victor studies in his youth. These references not only set the historical context of the novel but also illustrate the transition from the medieval pursuit of alchemy to the modern scientific method, signaling the clash between superstition and a new era of enlightenment that Victor’s tragic experiment represents.

Furthermore, *Frankenstein* incorporates allusions to the broader literary and philosophical movements of its time. Shelley’s references to the works of her contemporaries, such as Samuel Taylor Coleridge’s “The Rime of the Ancient Mariner,” which Victor quotes saying, “Like the ancient mariner, I have been cursed to wander,” connect the novel’s themes to the larger Romantic concerns about the role of the individual in the universe and the consequences of isolation.

Through these rich layers of allusion, Shelley not only crafts a narrative that is as educational as it is entertaining but also invites readers to reflect on the ethical implications of scientific and technological advancement. *Frankenstein* remains a seminal work, not only for its pioneering elements in the genre of science fiction but also for its enduring exploration of the darker side of human curiosity and the moral complexities of innovation.

In weaving these allusions throughout her narrative, Shelley enhances the thematic complexity of *Frankenstein*, offering readers not merely a gothic tale but a profound commentary on the human condition. The novel’s engagement with biblical, mythological, and literary texts provides a framework within which the consequences of human actions are critically examined, making *Frankenstein* a timeless reflection on ambition, responsibility, and the limits of human power.

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