Free Essays: The Themes of Mary Shelleys Frankenstein :: Frankenstein essays

The Themes of Frankenstein Mary Shelley discusses many important themes in her famous reinvigorated Frankenstein. She attests these themes through the characters and their actions, and many of them represent occurrences from her own life. Many of the themes present debateable issues, and Shelleys thoughts on them. Three of the most important themes in the novel are birth and creation alienation and the family and the domestic affections. One theme discussed by Shelley in the novel is birth and creation. She does this through the main character, master key Frankenstein, who succeeds in creating a human life form. In doing this, Frankenstein has taken over the roles of women and graven image. Shelley discusses how Frankenstein has used his laboratory or workshop of pestiferous creation (page 53) as a kind of womb as he has worked on his creation. He also refers to his task as his labour, suggesting that he has literally given birth to his creation. subsequently so much time spe nt in painful labour (Page 51) The passing of time from when Victor first began his creation and finished it is also significant. Winter, spring, and spend passed away during my labours (Page 54) The length of the three seasons is nine months, representing the time a natural human baby takes to be formed in its mothers womb. This once again suggests that Frankenstein has bring a way to take over the role of women, and they become powerless, weak and flimsy. They no longer have a purpose in life, as Victor Frankenstein can now create new life forms - a process which women needed to be involved in previously. An example of womens powerlessness in the novel is the condemnation of Justine for a crime she did not commit. Had she been a man, she would probably have been set free. Frankenstein succeeds in removing the only powers that women had, as well as stripping God from his role. Through the theme of birth and creation, Shelley criticises Victor not only for creating the new b eing, but also for abandoning it when it comes to life. Victor first wishes to create the being because he thinks A new species would bless me as its creator and source ... No father could claim the gratitude of his child so completely as I should deserve theirs. (Page 52-53)