Corruption In Mary Shelley's Frankenstein

Words: 320
Pages: 2

The novel “Frankenstein” uncovers the corruptions and strife brought about through seeking for knowledge. This notion is explored through the character Victor, the doomed protagonist, who’s creation has devastated and tormented him. The use of parallelism “my cheeks had grown pale with study, and my person had become emaciated with confinement” compares victor, who seems as though he is dying to create life, with a pregnant woman giving birth. This highlights Shelley’s personal struggles with procreation. Shelley emphasises on the strength of knowledge and how far it can take an individual. victors desperate tone “the world was to me a secret which I desired to divine” conveys his desire to unfold the secrets of the world. Which clearly portrays the effect of knowledge when ethics are removed from it. Shelley uses euphemism “it was the secret of heaven and earth that I desired to learn” to challenge the reader to underpin the truth behind the desire for …show more content…
Shelley demonstrates this notion through Victors character, whom later uncovers the corruptions his creation has brought unto him. The dark imagery “I remained while the storm lasted, watching it progress with curiosity and delight’, creates an evil mood and foreshadows that something bad will happen. This atmosphere of evil and darkness represents the birth of Victors new idea. Shelley conveys the destruction that Victor will suffer as a result of his creation, and his desperate desire for knowledge. Overall, this novel outlines the corruptions and conflict which are a result of the desire for knowledge. It also conveys the inner conflict it brings about to an individual, which is showcased through Victors character. The novel “Frankenstein” is thus, often interpreted as a warning against the pursuit of knowledge and as a demonstration of its dangers. Shelley challenges the audience’s perceptions through the character of Victor who aims to be a divine creator, and chooses to upper his status as an