Frankenstein and Nature
This Greek mythological figure, who defied the gods to bring fire to humans, is often compared to Victor Frankenstein in his quest to overcome death.
Who is Prometheus?
Victor Frankenstein refuses to create this for his creature, fearing it would lead to further chaos.
What is a female mate?
This modern scientific breakthrough, which allows for altering the DNA of organisms, mirrors Victor’s efforts to "improve" humanity in Frankenstein.
What is genetic engineering (or CRISPR-Cas9)?
Victor Frankenstein initially makes this decision about the female creature he promised to create for his male creation.
What is to destroy her (or rip up the half-formed female creature)?
Victor Frankenstein creates his creature by collecting body parts from these two places.
What are cemeteries and slaughterhouses?
In Frankenstein, Victor's scientific work is depicted as an attempt to exploit and control Nature, which he personifies as this gender.
What is female?
Victor Frankenstein’s efforts to manipulate Nature without considering the consequences are an example of this, which leads to his eventual downfall.
What is hubris (or excessive pride)?
In Frankenstein, this family provides an ideal model of shared responsibility and cooperation, where both genders participate equally in supporting the household.
Who is the De Lacey family?
This natural force, which Victor uses in his experiments to bring life to his creature, also symbolizes the power of Nature’s retribution.
What is electricity (or lightning)?
Victor’s horror at creating a female creature stems from his fear that she might possess this, which he believes would cause her to be uncontrollable.
What is female autonomy or independence?
Victor Frankenstein’s failure to consider the moral and ethical implications of his experiments leads to the destruction of his life, and mirrors the potential dangers of this modern scientific practice.
What is unchecked scientific experimentation (or playing God)?
Victor’s inability to take responsibility for his creation leads to the tragic death of this character, who is wrongly accused of murder.
Who is Justine Moritz?
In Frankenstein, Victor’s attempts to control and defy Nature are ultimately punished in these extreme environments, associated with storms and death.
What is the Arctic (or the North Pole)?
Victor’s refusal to create a female companion for his creature stems from his belief that the female creature might do this to her male counterpart.
What is reject him (or turn away from him)?
Mary Shelley's novel critiques Victor’s desire to transcend natural boundaries and foreshadows modern fears related to this potential scientific breakthrough.
What is the creation of artificial life (or the concept of designer babies)?
This character’s death from a disease caught while nursing another is symbolic of the exploitation of women within a patriarchal society.
Who is Caroline Beaufort?
Mary Shelley’s novel suggests that Nature is not passive but actively resists those who try to manipulate it, as seen when this element relentlessly pursues Victor after his creation of the creature.
What is the weather (storms, lightning, rain)?
Victor’s destruction of the female creature can be interpreted as a violent reaffirmation of this cultural norm, which sees women as passive, controlled, and subordinate.
What is patriarchal control (or male dominance)?
Victor Frankenstein’s obsession with creating life through unnatural means ultimately results in his mental and physical deterioration, reflecting the dangers of pursuing scientific progress at the expense of this vital aspect of human well-being.
What is personal health (or mental and physical well-being)?
This symbolic act—Victor’s complete rejection of the female reproductive process—reflects his desire to replace natural creation with artificial reproduction.
What is Victor’s creation of a male-only race?