This story is about Mary Shelley’s writing of Frankenstein. Her writing heavily reflects her experiences as a young woman living in 19th-century England. The controversial and groundbreaking text contains a vivid description of cultural values and anxieties of the time, as well as exaggerated personifications from Shelley’s own personal experiences. To draw meaningful connections between Shelley’s creation and society at the time, we must examine the historical context of both the Industrial Revolution and its rise to the Romantic genre. This text serves as a warning tale about the dangers of using science and technology in a misused way. It shows the fractured social and economic hierarchy which impacted its society’s functionality, while Romanticism brings up the topic of individuality. Shelley’s Frankenstein examines cultural movements and stigmas through science fiction.
Shelley was influenced by culture to create the subconscious and motivations for her writing. England’s 19th century society was marked by rigid class division and a growing economic prosperity. The Industrial Revolution changed the economic structure and workforce of Britain from being based on agricultural production to one that was manufacturing-based. This revolution not only changed the structure of many industries but also had an impact on the culture and functionality of communities. Living in an industrial boom society is similar to agricultural life. The consumer’s habits changed dramatically due to mass production and excessive goods. Also, the hiring requirements of the average worker changed. Frankenstein’s main theme, individuality, was not supported in the factory environment. This cultural history can be used to explain how individualism is depicted in Frankenstein. Both science and religion had difficulties coexisting in this era. Contrary to Victorian society’s values there was no erasure of these things. However, many counter culture movements emerged. One such movement was expressed in Romantic literature. Individual expression was made a major value in the Romantic genre. Nature was another important aspect of the genre, thanks to Darwin’s challenges and the advances in natural science. Although science was novel and contradictory it was still accepted by the masses in the same way that factory production was. Science was often viewed as an interference with nature, as it clashed so strongly with religion. Frankenstein was the perfect example. Science was shown as allowing individuals to be God, especially because of its conflict with religion. Before we get into the details of the text, it is important to understand the history and perceptions of science by society.
The rise in popularity of Romantic literature is seen as a result of society’s lack of respect for individuality, emotion, and the natural world. Frankenstein is a well-known Romantic writer. He has many examples that show how emotional individuality can be. Also, how society may reject it. Individuality was not celebrated in human history, so those who expressed it were often embarrassed and repentant. Shelley’s depiction of the creature by Shelley is a good example of how cultural rejection can lead to individuality being rejected. The creature is first described as monstrous but is not fully embodied by Frankenstein until that time. Both companionship and individuality are denied to the creature, which can have devastating consequences. Individuality can be thought of as something deeper. However, Shelley’s view of individuality is critical to understanding the wider cultural values. Shelley’s reaction to social standards is evident in her writing.
Shelley is an era and environment product. Although her experiences were difficult, they were not unique. Understanding the cultural reality that influenced Shelley’s writing is crucial. Frankenstein’s conception of birth is complicated and paradoxical. Shelley almost died from her miscarriage. The cultural attitude towards science at that time meant medicine was not as sophisticated as it is today. These experiences and the societal norms that influenced her lives led to her depiction of birth as both creatively and destructive. The book’s lens and the entire genre in general suggest that modernity is not pure and simple. Romantic and gothic literatures offer insights into the paradoxes in nature, beauty, and life at culturally important points. A look at Frankenstein and how Shelley portrays it will reveal society’s views on medicine and science in 19th-century England.
It is how society fear science that the creature is described as something so horribly ugly. Many scholars believe Doctor Victor Frankenstein “played God” and Shelley portraying the creature as a god shows that those actions had consequences. Science was frowned upon and rejected by society for being too mysterious and unknowable. Frankenstein is a perfect example of this fear. The creature, which becomes uncontrollable and causes multiple murders, serves as both a living manifestation and fear of the unknown. In the Industrial Revolution, invention and creation were valued by society. Although the era saw increased prosperity and greater production, the creature wasn’t created to improve the quality life of the majority. He was born from curiosity. As societies industrial capabilities increased at an alarming speed, more people were able to access them. It can be seen that Dr. Frankenstein delved deeper into science’s taboo aspects, and the more he suffered the consequences. The doctor experienced more pain the more he reflected and learned. Shelley depicts pain he experienced while exploring something he should have avoided. Shelley says that Shelley has chosen to pursue this dangerous combination science, life, death. The result is both externally and internally negative. This goes beyond the scientific facts of the day. The rigid structure of the class system is only effective if the lowest classes are unorganized and uneducated. The lower classes will remain ignorant and uninformed if they believe education will bring them sorrow forever.
The way the creature is treated can also be a reflection of society and its structure. His apparent monstrosity is reason enough to reject him. Dr. Frankenstein doesn’t want to be associated with the creature, which will inevitably lead to atrocities. The creature appears to be a simple, inhumane angry monster. But, when he is denied the most basic human needs, the monster can act in a devastating manner. Like all creatures of the lower class, this creature was born capable of love, education, and support. He is only a product his community and environment. It’s not unusual for any person or thing to desire the same companionship as the creature. The creature is not the only one who can read and write. There are many other examples of his humanity. He can express empathy when he’s being treated equal or not being attacked. He feels obliged and obligated by his family to help them. Frankenstein’s misperception of Frankenstein is monstrous. Although the creature’s actions seem to be objectively sympathetic, Frankenstein doesn’t see him as equal or worthy of respect. This is representative of 19th century Europe’s social value system. People were automatically deduced as being classless and uneducated simply for being born to a lower socioeconomic society. The human condition was directly affected by wealth and property. The creature’s reflection reveals this: “…I did not have money, friends or any kind property. I was, in addition, endued by a figure hideously distorted and loathsome; my nature was different from that of man… Was I then a beast, a blot to the earth, out which all men fled? And whom all men disowned?” Shelley 14 Shelley captures the essence of an individual who has no material possessions and is being rejected. He learns to read but is still considered a monster. Frankenstein and society view him as a creature and he begins to act as one. His uniqueness alienates him.
Shelley’s explorations into Romanticism and Gothic literature reveal that Shelley had an opposite value of her culture and era: individualism. The creature’s individuality is represented by Shelley’s depiction of it being an individual, having no trust or a society of humans, and being a product if science. Science was at that time a strong symbol of individuality, as it represented a new way of seeing the world. Frankenstein’s quest for knowledge in science went beyond boundaries. Both characters are a reflection of individuality and each experience the negative effects of that individuality. Frankenstein is an individual, while Frankenstein is the only one of his kind. The Industrial Revolution is reflected in both Frankenstein and the creature’s struggle to express their individuality. The rise of mass production and factory assembly lines has hampered creativity and science. This creature is a symbol of Romanticism, which was a response to Shelley’s oppression. Shelley portrays the creature as a torture victim to an individual who is different from society. The creature loathes himself and his creation. Why did you give me life? Why did I not extinguish the spark that you so kindly bestow upon me? (Shelley 162). Frankenstein and the creature both loathe each other after their creation. They also have strong internal battles. Victor Frankenstein can be seen as a Byronic hero. Frankenstein is an intriguing character who combines Gothic and Romantic elements. His complex paradoxes, brutish attitude and complicated internal conflicts eventually lead to a lot of internal as well as external struggle. Frankenstein’s insistence on not naming the creature reflects his views about the relationship of individuality and humanity. The creature loses his individuality when he doesn’t give it a name. The creature comes to terms with his uniqueness when he realizes that he has no friends or relatives on earth. He becomes a monster when he realizes his rejection. The creature suffered irreparable harm when his creation was rejected by its creator. Shelley’s depiction of individuality shows that people are not meant to be celebrated for their uniqueness.
It is difficult for us to see which of Shelley’s writings reflect our culture or society. The time was very different from the present, particularly when you consider the Industrial Revolution’s impact on culture and the importance of religion. The rise and fall of Romantic and Gothic genres demonstrates that people were reacting against the society’s values. The creature was a symbol of individuality, religion, science, religion and capitalism. He was the first personification of the fear and dangers of science that result from the ignorance and curiosity of man. For decades, readers have wondered why Frankenstein did not give the creature a name. Since a name is humanizing, it seems that Shelley was referring to individualism. The creature was not unique and was treated with the same disrespect and disregard by society as the working and poor. The values of the culture of 19th-century England were both deeply ingrained but also constantly changing. Both coexisted and some became alienated by the shift in culture. Shelley’s criticisms and commentary about society was also expressed through the creature.
