Frankenstein. Themes Forbidden Knowledge— The Modern Prometheus Moral & Ethical Implications...

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)