Morality and Responsibility - Moral Development in Mary...

Moral Development in Shelleys Frankenstein Mary Shelleys Frankenstein is a commentary on the natural disposition of man. By personifying her vision of a natural everyman character in the form of Victor Frankensteins creation, The Creature, Shelley explores the natural state as well as the moral development of man, and develops conclusions regarding both. But before Shelley could create her commentary on mans natural dispositions, she was in need of a character to represent her natural everyman. The character she needed had to possess the same qualities as that of a man in his most natural state. The most common character to represent man in his most natural state is that of a newborn. A newborn is, of course, a new human†¦show more content†¦This viewpoint has merit since, as Shelleys preface alludes to, the process of writing the novel was initiated in response to a pact made amongst friends to write a tale of the strange and supernatural. Frankenstein was not necessarily meant to be a philosophical novel. However, although this is a good viewpoint to bring up, one can see that the consequences are irrelevant; the same themes are still prevalent throughout Shelleys work, regardless of the means in which they were created. Shelley could have easily made Victor provide his creation with a fluent knowledge of the arts, histories, and sciences, giving his creature a superior intellect. But, this was not the case; Victors creation had no memories or previous recollections of anything whatsoever, making him a candidate for an everyman. Shelley realized this, and exploited the idea to the fullest. And since it can now be seen that Shelley almost certainly intended Victor Frankensteins creation to be her representation of the natural everyman, the implications of this can be discussed along with Shelleys thoughts on the matter. So, each action by Victors creature can be taken as an act that Shelleys vision of a natural man would take, and the focus ofShow MoreRelatedMorality In Mary Shelleys Frankenstein958 Words   |  4 PagesMorality, or the lack of it, has become one of the most commented issues about Frankenstein. This novel has been used as an approach to reflect on the ethics involved in most controversial scientific domains, such as genetic engineering or DNA research. This essay will analyse the controversy of moral standards in Mary Shelley’s novel, focusing on the moment in which Frankenstein contemplates the idea of the creation of a whole new species. I will confront the protagonist’s apparent lack of moralityRead More Fear of Pregnancy in Mary Shell eys Frankenstein Essay2075 Words   |  9 PagesFear of Pregnancy in Frankenstein   Ã‚   Frankenstein can be read as a tale of what happens when a man tries to create a child without a woman. It can, however, also be read as an account of a womans anxieties and insecurities about her own creative and reproductive capabilities. The story of Frankenstein is the first articulation of a womans experience of pregnancy and related fears. Mary Shelley, in the development and education of the monster, discusses child development and education and howRead MoreAnalysis Of Mary Shelley s Frankenstein Or The Modern Prometheus 1710 Words   |  7 PagesFrankenstein; or, The Modern Prometheus by Mary Shelley, is one of the most iconic tales of 19th century literature. Grandly displaying a mastery of psychological depth within the characters, the author portrays a flawed society inherent within their scientific progression. As such, the enriching tale draws many criticisms from the society in which Shelley lived in, some of which encompasses appearances, feminism, and clas s restrictions. Retold through multiple mediums, the story is generally seenRead MoreFrankenstein by Mary Shelley Essay3112 Words   |  13 PagesFrankenstein by Mary Shelley FRANKENSTEIN ‘Frankenstein is full of ideas and warnings which are relevant to a modern audience.’ -Discuss the enduring appeal of the novel. Introduction: Despite being over a century old, Mary Shelleys Frankenstein has continued to hold public interest for nearly two hundred years. The novel was published 1818 and is one of the most acclaimed gothic stories in the history of literature. 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Furthermore, the psychology behind Victor Frankenstein and the monster that he had created has been an issue that has been debated by psychologists for several years. Moreover, it has been claimed that the Frankenstein monster gives the reader a glimpse into the consciousness of Victor himself. This being said, many individuals have tried to understand the reasons for the monstersRead MoreThe Depths Of Humanity By Mary Shelley2235 Words   |à ‚  9 Pagescell research, in vitro fertilization and the Human Genome Project, just to name a few. In Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein and Mary E. Pearson’s The Adoration of Jenna Fox, old and new scientific techniques are used to depict the creation of life; for example, Victor Frankenstein’s obsession with science and creating his â€Å"monster† and Matthew and Claire Fox taking on the acts of recreating Jenna. Although Frankenstein and The Adoration of Jenna Fox seem somewhat different in their plot, setting and characters