Mary Shelley's Frankenstein: Philosophy of Creation and Responsibility

The Genesis of Frankenstein

• 💡 Mary Shelley wrote "Frankenstein" at the remarkably young age of 18-19, with the book first published anonymously in 1818 when she was 20.
• 📚 The novel is considered a foundational work of science fiction and philosophical literature, with a revised edition published in 1831.
• 🏔️ The story begins in the Arctic with explorer Robert Walton finding a near-death Victor Frankenstein, who then recounts his tale.

Victor Frankenstein's Creation

• 🔬 Victor Frankenstein, driven by a fascination with natural philosophy and the occult, discovers the "principle of life" and attempts to create a sentient being.
• 💔 Upon animating his creation, Victor is overcome with horror and disgust, immediately abandoning the creature.
• 🌃 The creature, initially articulate and capable, is left to fend for itself, learning language and human interaction by observing the De Lacey family.

Romanticism Meets Enlightenment

• ☯️ The novel explores the dangerous combination of Romantic wonder for nature and the Enlightenment's scientific ambition when pursued without ethical oversight.
• 🏛️ Victor's isolation and unchecked pursuit of knowledge lead to the creation of a monster, highlighting the need for community checks and balances in scientific endeavors.
• ⚡ The full title, "Frankenstein; or, The Modern Prometheus," references the Greek myth, underscoring the theme of rebellious creation and its inevitable punishment.

The Creature's Plight and Societal Ostracization

• 😔 Rejected by humanity solely due to his appearance, the creature develops deep anger and resentment towards his creator, Victor.
• ⚖️ The creature frames Justine for the murder of Victor's brother, William, leading to her execution, mirroring societal prejudices and the dangers of judging based on appearance.
• 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 The creature's experience serves as a metaphor for the ostracization of marginalized groups and the dire consequences of societal neglect, including the treatment of women in Shelley's time.

Responsibility and Ethical Creation

• ⚠️ The narrative questions the notion of technology being morally neutral, emphasizing that inventions carry embedded morality and potential consequences.
• 👶 Shelley draws parallels between abandoning a creation like the creature and parents abandoning their children, highlighting the moral responsibility of creators.
• 💔 Victor's refusal to create a female companion for the creature, fearing further uncontrolled proliferation, ultimately leads to the deaths of his friend and his bride, Elizabeth, on their wedding night.

Revisions and Feminist Interpretations

• 🎭 Feminist readings suggest that science is coded as masculine, and projects pursued without accountability can render women disposable.
• 😔 Mary Shelley's 1831 revisions, influenced by personal tragedies, shifted the narrative tone to emphasize fate and determinism over free will.
• 🚶‍♂️ The story concludes with Victor's pursuit of the creature to the Arctic, his death, and the creature's vow to end its own life, leaving a profound statement on the ethics of creation and abandonment.