Frankenstein

Frankenstein

    The book Frankenstein, published by Mary Shelley in 1818 is frequently called the world’s first science fiction novel. A scientist, Victor Frankenstein, manages to construct and animate a creature from dismembered corpses. The resulting monster, although gentle and intellectually gifted, is enormous, physically hideous and ends up being the worst kind of scientific experiment of all times.

  Repulsed by his work, its creator rejects it cruelly. For this reason, the creature wanders around saddened by the rejection and seeks for companionship. He later becomes brutal as he fails to find a peer and murders for revenge.

  The fact that technology was improving at an amazing degree, due to the arrival of industrialization, is dealt through the novel, and the issue of advances created by men is clearly addressed. The attention is also directed to the treatment of the poor and uneducated, and to the invasion of technology into modern life.

  It is important to stand out that the Industrial Revolution was a period of transition. The technologic breakthroughs brought about a shift from manufacturing in people's homes, to the development of powered special-purpose machinery, factories and mass production. Millions of people moved with the purpose of finding a job and consequently, large slums appeared and living conditions for the poor and working classes were grim. Children were cheap employees and they ended up working in all types of industry. Besides, women of the working classes would usually be expected to go out to work for long hours in hard conditions. Furthermore, diseases were a deadly threat.

  It was during this crucial industrial moment in human history that the monster was brought into existence. He was created good and made evil.  From the moment he opened his eyes to the world, he just wanted to be accepted and loved. He was kind hearted and he even managed to learn about himself and gained general knowledge through the books he read and the conversations he heard from the De Lacey's.  It was total rejection and exclusion what turned him hateful.

   If the creature had a family that raised him and included him in these modern times, he would definitely have good relationships with them provided his affectionate, friendly and kind personality. However, if  enrolled at school, things would not be easy for the monster, since today's society is characterized by pushing the abnormal aside. Even though there are always exceptions, people are completely self centered these days and there is a very strong sense of individualism. Consequently, the monster would be quickly pushed aside and considered an absolute freak. Besides, despite the fact that electricity has made life completely easier for people, the desire for money and approval has increased considerably, which has turned society into selfish and discriminative.

    I personally believe that the author of the novel aimed for society to realize that people get the monsters they deserve by neglecting and ignoring others with socially unacceptable appearances or behaviours. We, as members of a society have the responsibility to reach out to the wretched members and accept and support the diversity of humankind.