The Developments and Changes the Monster Undergoes in Frankenstein by M

The Developments and Changes the Monster Undergoes in Frankenstein by Mary Shelley Frankenstein is a classic novel by Mary Shelley, published in 1818. It recounts the life of Victor Frankenstein; Victor is a young, idealistic student of natural philosophy whose aim is to discover the elixir of life. He succeeds in his aim and consequently brings into existence a monstrous creation. However, he abandons his creation, which is then forced to discover the complicated ways in which society and the world works, in a very cruel but candid and unequivocal manner. The novel begins in the epistolary style, presenting the story in a series of letters. These letters are from Robert Walton, a British sailor who describes and communicates to his sister, though correspondence, his search for fame and glory by exploring the North Pole. More importantly, his letters also announce the discovery and rescue of a stranger, Victor Frankenstein. Consequently, Victor tells the story of his life to Robert Walton, who then includes it in his letters home to his sister. Therefore, Frankenstein is essentially an account of the life of Victor Frankenstein as related to him by a British sailor, Robert Walton, by whom he has been found on the ice floes of the Arctic Ocean. However, Frankenstein's story contains yet another narrative, that of the monster he has created. Furthermore, the monster includes within his narrative the story of the De Laceys, the family of exiles whom he unsuccessfully tries to make contact with. To synopsize, Frankenstein is one novel, but within it there are several narratives and consequently it contains several contrasting .. ...It may well be that Mary Shelley wanted her work to be a warning to all scientists. She was fascinated by the discoveries and scientific inventions that modern science produced. However, at the same time she was very aware of the potential dangers of scientific quest. In Victor Frankenstein's case, his obsessive thirst for knowledge and power developed into a self destructive passion. Through his research, he severs himself off from his family and friends, who are all finally destroyed by his creation. The innermost embedded narrative of the monster reveals to us that he is in an equally miserable and isolated situation. The monster is tragically fated to a life of rejection and isolation from humanity and ultimately we tend to sympathise with him and condemn Victor Frankenstein for his actions that resulted in this.