Survival and Violence in Frankenstein

You know, “Frankenstein” came out way back in 1818, and folks still talk about it as a groundbreaking science fiction book. But there’s more to it than just spooky stuff and wild ideas. The story really digs into themes like survival and violence, which are pretty much part of being human. These themes were big deals in Mary Shelley’s time and they’re still relevant today. Let’s take a closer look at how these ideas show up in the story and its characters, with some thoughts from experts to back it up.

Survival as a Driving Force

Surviving is a big part of being human, right? And you can see this in “Frankenstein” for sure. The Creature that Victor Frankenstein makes is all about survival from the start. Poor guy gets ditched by Victor and has to figure things out in a world that’s not too friendly. His first moves are all about finding food and a place to stay—basic stuff we all need to keep going.

Anne K. Mellor, a smart cookie when it comes to literature, says the Creature kind of represents the “noble savage” idea from the Enlightenment. This means he starts off innocent but gets messed up by society (Mellor, 1988). At first, he tries to survive without hurting anyone, like finding food and staying warm. But when everyone keeps rejecting him because of how he looks, he starts getting violent. It’s like, when you’re pushed to the edge, even the nicest folks can snap.

And Victor? He’s got his own survival issues. He’s obsessed with beating death by creating life. It’s his way of trying to live forever, kinda. But this obsession ends up wrecking him, both in body and mind. The more he tries to escape death, the closer he gets to his own downfall.

The Role of Violence

Violence in “Frankenstein” is a big deal too. It’s both a result of and a way to deal with the struggle to survive. The Creature starts off nice but turns into a revenge machine because of all the violence and rejection he faces. His first violent act, killing little William Frankenstein, isn’t just about being mean. It’s a cry for help, a way to be noticed and find a friend. After that, violence becomes his go-to move to show he exists and to fight back against the world’s cruelty.

Shelley doesn’t just throw in violence for kicks. She’s making a point about her society and the science of her time. The Creature’s violence is like a big finger pointing at Victor’s arrogance and carelessness. Harold Bloom, another literature big shot, says Victor’s mistake wasn’t making life but not taking care of it (Bloom, 2007). This mess-up starts a chain of violence that ends up destroying both Victor and his Creature.

The story also mirrors bigger societal violence. The Creature’s struggles are like what marginalized folks go through. When society pushes them aside, they might turn to violence to survive. This was especially true in the early 1800s, a time full of big social and political changes. The Industrial Revolution was turning everything upside down, causing a lot of suffering. Shelley’s story can be seen as a comment on the violence built into these big changes.

Psychological Dimensions

The psychological side of survival and violence in “Frankenstein” is deep stuff. Both Victor and the Creature go through serious mental stress, and it shows in what they do. Victor is all about chasing scientific knowledge, but it leads to guilt and paranoia. He slowly goes mad, showing how his survival quest through science messes with his mind.

The Creature, on the other hand, deals with huge existential issues. His violent actions can be seen as a response to his mental agony. George Levine, another scholar, thinks the Creature’s violence is a way to rebel against a creator who doomed him to a life of misery (Levine, 1973). This view connects the mental and physical parts of survival and violence.

Conclusion

So, Mary Shelley’s “Frankenstein” is packed with themes of survival and violence. Through Victor and his Creature, Shelley digs into the complicated nature of being human, the fallout from unchecked ambition, and the effects of being pushed to the margins. The way survival and violence play out in the story makes us think about our own actions and their consequences. The book still hits home because it gets us to reflect on these big issues.

By looking at how “Frankenstein” handles survival and violence, we get a better grip on the novel’s main themes and its take on the tough parts of human life.

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