Frankenstein Themes Forbidden Knowledge The Modern Prometheus Moral

Frankenstein

Themes • Forbidden Knowledge— The Modern Prometheus • Moral & Ethical Implications of Science • Personal Ambition vs. Social Responsibility • “Domestic Affections”/ Family

Frame Narrative • Epistolary narrative provides verisimilitude • Prepares us for central narrative’s themes through parallel situations and characters – Dangerous quest for “forbidden knowledge” by ambitious individualist • Setting foreshadows quest’s outcome

Frame Narrative • Arctic Setting – Unknown—quest for extraordinary knowledge – Dangerous—dangers of forbidden knowledge – Cold—cold-heartedness/spiritual death – Isolated—loneliness of the ambitious individualist

Frame Narrative • Robert Walton—parallels Frankenstein – Loving nature, strong domestic ties – Tremendous ambition, violates domestic ties (pp. 932 -934; pp. 1028 -1031) – Isolated and lonely

Central Narrative • Victor Frankenstein—divided nature – Benevolent—domestic affection, desire to serve humanity – Selfishly ambitious—devotion to science, ignores responsibilities to others – Noble but fallen

Central Narrative • The Creature—Frankenstein’s Doppelganger (“double-goer”/ alter ego) – Embodies destructive ambitions that bring isolation and spiritual death (p. 934 -935)

Central Narrative • The Creature—Frankenstein’s Doppelganger – Embodies destructive ambitions that bring isolation and spiritual death (p. 934 -935) – Enacts Frankenstein’s desires to escape domestic responsibilities (p. 935)

Central Narrative • The Creature—Frankenstein’s Doppelganger – Embodies destructive ambitions that bring isolation and spiritual death (p. 934 -935) – Enacts Frankenstein’s desires to escape domestic responsibilities (p. 935) – Embodies Frankenstein’s benevolence and domestic affections (p. 972 -973; p. 986)