Story about Frankenstein

Prompt:

Write a well organized essay in which you explain the allusion that predominates in the work and analyze how it enhances the work's meaning.

In Mary Shelley's award winning novel, Frankenstein, numerous topics were infused within the storyline in order to convey the message of one of mankind's most persistent and destructive flaws: prejudice. Within the text, Shelley used topics that ranged from sublime nature to excruciating monstrosity in order to portray this message. However, the subject that illuminated the true meaning of prejudice was that of the religion found in Frankenstein. Without the incorporation of the biblical references and comparisons to religion found within the novel, the harm that resulted from the actions and judgements of people from within the storyline would not have been as clear as they were with these allusions.

Furthermore, religion functioned as the founding platform of the novel. Numerous topics were combined through the religious perspective that gave birth to the monster, the hatred, and the suffering within the text. It allowed the story line to connect with the beliefs of the past in order to portray the beliefs of her present and ultimately represent its impact on our future. All in pursuit of exposing the prejudice that lived and still lives within humanity.

Nevertheless, Shelley indulged herself in this route in response to the Christian theology that surrounded her. Resulting in the vast number of similarities found between her narrative and the bible itself. Consequently, leading to that brief resemblance between her beliefs and the novel overall. Culminating in a miniscule portion of Shelley's convictions, and ultimately her life, being incorporated into the volume so that she may further develop her message to the world from her own point of view. In order to use her religion to shed light on the prejudice she was trying to unveil.

Consequently, the influence of the religion was put into the novel through biblical references that ranged from the testaments of the bible to the infamous poem of Paradise Lost. It was brought into the story line by implying similarities between numerous characters. For example, the monster represented Adam after he was created, and Victor represented God during the creation. In addition, the monster also represented the adversary of the novel, he compared himself to Satan and conclusively realized he was the archfiend of his generation. Hence, the creature ultimately became the Lucifer of the story and stated that, Many times I considered Satan as the fitter emblem of my condition.

Therefore, in further comparison to the Bible and the poem of Paradise Lost, God had originally created Satan to be good, but the the angel soon fell from the grace of his creator, and became terribly evil. Similarly to how the monster was created to be a better version of humanity, but was instead ironically rejected by humanity and his own creator from the desirable security he longed for.

Both of these characters endured hardship across chaos, and both were doomed for eternity. However, even after these crucial factors, the allusions towards biblical references in the story can make it appear that the monster is more benevolent than Frankenstein, which creates a sense of fear within humanity itself , because humanity is made to consider that society is less moral than it seems. Which adds onto the purpose of these comparisons and realizations : to expose the harm and injury that results those who are altruistic and/or commit foolish actions, in order to prevent further judgements in the world. (134)

Therefore, this impactful influence was used to level up the message dramatically and allow the comparisons to be seen through the same lens via countless eyes. Consequently, just as the poem brought far deeper emotions to the monster, the novel itself brought deeper understanding to its readers. For instance, once the creature had merged with his newly found knowledge, he attempted to justify himself by defining a logical relationship with his creator.

Mostly through saying that, "I am thy creature, and I will be even mild and docile to my natural lord and king if thou wilt also perform thy part, the which thou owest me". Which further develops the idea that the monster was profoundly influenced by these biblical stories, resulting in his own portrayal of these scenarios in order to justify his situation. Similarly to how the overall novel has influenced a vast number of individuals to stop the judgment and start the adjustment of society. (127)

Thus, with this in mind, everything led to the same question. Why did Shelley generate this religious monster, this detached Christian whose faith couldnbring no hope? The answer is fairly simple. In conclusion, she wanted to expose the truth behind individuals who displayed one version of themselves to society but concealed the true version of themselves to the world. Similarly to how Frankenstein hid himself from the DeLacy's, and attempted to be someone else in order to receive affection rather than atrocious misconceptions. Alike Victor that hid his creation from the people, in order to prevent agonizing judgement.

Which emphasized on Shelley's need to manipulate a Christian in order to demonstrate to her readers how people tend to label themselves and/or others as something they aren't due to their need to judge and/or not be judged. Simply because they have been prejudiced against by others and that harm has led them to conceal themselves with false labels. Which is why Shelley used religion to expose this truth, in order to prevent further cases like these from taking control of humanity.

Furthermore, it is evident that Mary Shelley's novel is an allegory for the story of creation, or in other words, the Genesis of humanity. Shelley linked religion strongly to transgressing boundaries in order to allow all of us to remember the creatures that may dwell within us and that they are thy creature;...Whom thou drivest from joy for no misdeed. Due to the fact that humanity involves the capacity to drive themselves to be good or bad, there will simply always be a mixture of terror and beauty within us.Though, we should never allow prejudice to conceal who we are or dethrone those who shall be, because one just has to let that natured fire within us warm us, but not burn us.

Sources :

1. Shelley, Mary Wollstonecraft, 1797-1851. Frankenstein, Or, The Modern Prometheus : the 1818 Text. Oxford ; New York :Oxford University Press, 1998. Print.

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