Frankenstein Analysis- Sophia Oelkers

I have never read the book Frankenstein by Mary Shelley prior to reading it in class, but I have to say that I enjoyed the book very much. I thought it was very interesting how Shelley used aspects of her personal life to reflect events in Victor Frankenstein’s life. For example, Shelley struggled with guilt her entire life for causing her mother's death in childbirth, and when Frankenstein brings the Monster into the world he is shortly after burdened with the guilt of the deaths of several family members and friends. This guilt is chronic for Victor and he has a difficult battling this internal struggle.

Shelley portrayed multiple themes throughout the novel, but the one that was most prominent to me was related to who the real “monsters” are in society. It seemed as though every time the Monster attempted to be accepted, everyone he faced shut him out and showed no regard for his well being. Society never gave the Monster a chance to prove his genuine intentions simply because they judged his grotesque and monstrous looks. Shelley demonstrated the corruption of man because although the humans looked civilized they were the true monsters to the Monster, and although the Monster looked threatening to society, he conveyed more civilized qualities than the humans. As of today we know this holds true and it is interesting how even in the early 19th century it was relevant. Shelley exposes our flaws to us in possible hope that we could become more compassionate for others and grow as an accepting community.