Frankenstein is a critically acclaimed and historically important novel written by English author Mary Shelley about the story of a young scientist who creates Frankenstein, a green grotesque monster from parts of corpses from an unusual scientific experiment. Mary Shelley’s novel is also a representation of 18th century Europe, industrialization, the Enlightenment period and serves as a social critique of society’s own resistance to scientific developments and the evolution of new ideas. The term “European” is the first to describe Frankenstein by explorer and captain Robert Walton when he makes his appearance in the novel.
Having been created in Arctic wastelands, he represents the difference between the “savage inhabitant of some undiscovered land” and “Europeans,” positioning the latter as civilized, educated and better on social stature and standing than the former. Frankenstein exemplifies the European standard of citizens: being well travelled, excellent at academia such as chemistry and other sciences. speaking multiple languages and coming from a wealthy family that hails from Geneva; he is in contrast to “the Creature,” the savage inhabitant to which he was referred.
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"Frankenstein And 18th Century Europe".
Walton ensures to distinguish in his log the difference between him and the other, the explorer and the creature, the non-European and the European. Frankenstein also represents the attempts to change European society radically, as occurred in the Enlightenment period, which included ideas that centered on liberty, progress, free thinking and the separation of church and state. The relationship between Frankenstein and the Creature is meant to be a form of social commentary on the division between the working class and the bourgeoisie; the latter is the upheaval of American society to create new standards that is seemingly unattainable for the former.
Shelley’s writing shows that she saw the Enlightenment period as self-centered, a criticism that was normal to the particular time period. Finding the followers arrogant and with the audacity to change nature and the society at large, she finds man egotistical. This was in contrast to the ideas of Voltaire, the historic philosopher who believed that advancements in science, questioning of nature and rational improvements in knowledge were good for humanity. However, she found agreement with Rousseau, Genevan philosopher and political figure of France, who insisted that the “savage” human was the best example and crux of human development, calling it “gentle as man,” with nothing more than in its primitive state.
The values of the Enlightenment period were what he regarded as fatal and corrupting of the natural man. In order for humanity to survive, it must retreat to its natural state and landscape. In Shelley’s perspective, “the pursuit of knowledge” that is inherently characteristic to the Enlightenment period “has a tendency to weaken your affections, and to destroy your taste.” As the Monster of the Enlightenment, Frankenstein is used by Shelley to warn the masses of what happens when humanity attempts to change or eliminate the natural order of the world. He represents the threat of God’s omnipotence and power in Europe as it was coming to be challenged by the ideals and figures of the Enlightenment period. “Frankenstein” is a criticism of the Enlightenment period and the desertion of “old ways” for a new, yet uncertain mankind.
As Victor Frankenstein turned his back on humanity and its natural elements to pursue science, a monster was created out of his efforts, representing the dire consequences of change and “playing God.” The story is not only a criticism, but a cautionary tale about the absence of the human component, which eerily rings true even today as technology takes over across the world and in some forms, attempts to replace humans themselves.
