Frankenstein
Frankenstein by Mary ShelleyIt's often claimed that Frankenstein, the 'first' science fiction novel (as well as a gothic horror novel), is a warning against the godlike ambitions of science. Our scientific creations turn into monsters that haunt and destroy us, the book suggests. This notion, wrapped up in all the gothic imagery - alien landscapes of snow, ice, lone islands on stormy seas (ruined castles, though not in this story) - that so thrilled those in the 18th and especially early 19th Centuries, who felt the social ground shifting beneath their feet. In this, Frankenstein is close cousin, probably, of Goethe's Faust. Less commented upon is the way that the novel runs up against the liberal sensibility, for in many ways Frankenstein's monster, for whom we feel the most sympathy, turns to revenge not because he is created but rather because he is subsequently, again and again, rejected by human society. Why is he rejected? Because he is an offense to 'propriety', to 'civilization,' in short, he is ugly, of monstrous form. Underlying the structure of the narrative is the idea that such a rejection is natural. At its stirring heights, the novel is powerful and moving. Like many stories of the time, there are long asides which wouldn't get past a modern editor. 'Stick to the story,' the modern sensibility says, not entirely unfairly.
View all my reviews
posted by rjurik at
9:03 PM
5 Comments:
I seem to remember reading back at Uni that when Mary Shelley originally wrote the story she intended it as just that, a critique of lack of social responsibility, inspired by the treatment of the lower classes, but that she revised her opinion on the story as she aged and became more conservative in her views.
Ah, interesting. That would make sense.
Hard to separate the prevailing anti-middle class privilege stances in the novel with Shelley's upbringing-- both her mother and father were highly active social commentators and reformers, and I think Mary's work presents cogent literary arguments based on her absorption of their theories, 'The Last Man' even more than the better known 'Frankenstein'.
Lee - I haven't read "The Last Man" though I understand it's very interesting. I believe that the poor reviews were enough to put her off writing SF forever!
This comment has been removed by the author.
Post a Comment
Subscribe to Post Comments [Atom]
<< Home