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- Frankenstein: themes
Frankenstein: themes
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Frankenstein raises questions we still ask today: how far should science go, and what do we owe to those we create?
Dangerous knowledge
Victor and Walton both chase glory through discovery.
Victor oversteps the limits of nature by creating life, and is punished.
Victor oversteps the limits of nature by creating life, and is punished.
Responsibility and parenthood
Victor is like a parent who abandons his child at birth.
The creature's story shows how a lack of love and care can create violence.
The creature's story shows how a lack of love and care can create violence.
Isolation, prejudice and nature
Almost every main character ends up alone.
People judge the creature only by his appearance: prejudice.
Nature is often calming (Victor's walks in the Alps) but also overwhelming and sublime.
The novel is a Gothic novel.
People judge the creature only by his appearance: prejudice.
Nature is often calming (Victor's walks in the Alps) but also overwhelming and sublime.
The novel is a Gothic novel.
How does the theme of prejudice affect the creature?
- Everyone who sees him is horrified by his appearance.
- Even the kind De Laceys attack him.
- Constant rejection drives him to revenge.
Answer: Prejudice based on his looks leaves him isolated and drives him to violence.
Themes: dangerous knowledge and ambition, responsibility and parenthood, isolation, prejudice based on appearance, and nature; a Gothic novel.
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