Book Review: Frankenstein by Mary Shelley
Classic morality tale and a warning for today about transhumanism.
Frankenstein, the novel, is more a morality tale than horror. The story it tells is much better than any horror movie based on it. Even so, appreciating the novel requires finding a comfort level with the nineteenth century language, and overlooking the plotting inexperience of its otherwise prodigy author.
STORYLINE MAY BE UNFAMILIAR TO CURRENT READERS
Straightforward in plot, Frankenstein is told from the viewpoint of its protagonist, Victor Frankenstein (with the exception of the prologue and epilogue sections). The plotline differs significantly from most of the movies and may not be familiar to today’s readers.
Victor Frankenstein is a brilliant young man from a well-off Swiss family in the eighteenth century. Early on, he discovers a love of natural philosophy (basically, biology) from an ancient book on alchemy. The book prompts him to a study of the old alchemical masters. When he goes to college, he learns of the more up-to-date sciences but retains the inspiration from his at-home studies. All this leads him to “…discovering the cause of generation and life; nay, more, I became myself capable of bestowing animation upon lifeless matter.”
Victor uses this knowledge to attempt to create a human being. He succeeds in bringing this being to life, but is appalled that it is a monster in appearance. His passion, bestowed on this work for two years, blinded him to that fact. He is repulsed by his creation and abandons it in a fit. The creature disappears and Victor returns to his studies, though greatly demoralized over what he has done.
After a time, Victor returns home to his family and friends. In the nearby mountains, he is found by the monster he created, who has learned to speak and knows the story of his origin. The creature tells his tale of how he educated himself and learned of his creation. He tracked Victor down in order to demand that Victor make a female creation to be his mate.
Victor reluctantly takes up the task, but is unable to complete it. He finds the work morally repugnant and believes it will only result in a race of monsters (assuming it will be an evil race and a scourge to mankind). When the monster learns of Victor’s change of heart, he takes his revenge by wrecking Victor’s life. Then Victor seeks vengeance on the monster, leading to a global chase.
THEMATIC LEVELS THAT MAKE A CLASSIC
Though the plotting of Frankenstein is very linear, even simple, there are thematic levels in it that make it a classic. These include the primary theme of pursuing knowledge beyond morality, and the consequences of rejecting those who are different (in this case, the one rejected becomes a serial killer).
Indeed, the story strikes me more as a psychological thriller than a horror tale. Its structure is more science fiction (and it has been called a precursor to modern science fiction). For me, this makes the novel more interesting than if it were straight horror.
Though her plotting isn’t strong, Marry Shelley did provide some complexity in character that is interesting, especially considering the time period when she wrote it.
Victor is depicted as brilliant, moral, and even heroic. He is also irresponsible at times, capable of arrogance and murderous in his own right.
The monster is capable of merciless killing, but also of compassion and recognizing the moral good. His evil seems to come from uncontrollable impulses, for which he eventually shows remorse.
For all this, Ms. Shelley never changes her predominant theme that science should not be pursued without moral guidance, because to do so results in evil. But even here, she seems to have had doubts. The monster, mostly seen as amoral and possibly without a soul, is capable of good. Still, Ms. Shelley remains firm in averring this man-created being can only gravitate to evil. The fact that he is never named, emphasizes this.
CLASSIC STORY BUT NOT GREAT PLOTTING
The narrative is handled well, allowing for the time period, but it is not supported with subplots. The only subplot is that of the monster and that story is implied or told through dialogue. This makes the story arc fairly simple and easy to follow. It also leaves the reader wanting for character development, making the story read simpler than it is in fact.
The nineteenth century prose might be a detriment for some readers for being hard to read. Older readers who were taught phonics and have read a lot, will have less trouble with the prose. For myself, I enjoyed it.
There are weak points in the plot, mostly concerning motivations. Victor’s abandonment of his creature based on its appearance strikes me as weak. After two years, he should have become used to the creature’s looks.
When the creature threatens Victor’s wedding night, Victor takes the threat as being against himself rather than his bride. This is weak.
Victor’s regret for his pursuit of knowledge feels too sudden. It arises soon after seeing his creature come to life. I would have found his reversal more believable if it had come gradually and based on interaction with the creature.
Though he has moments of good intentions and even good deeds, the monster always defaults to evil. He becomes a serial killer based on social rejection and he blames Victor for making him susceptible to life as an outcast. This strikes me as extreme, stretching believability (though maybe not in the eighteenth century).
A WARNING ABOUT TRANSHUMANISM
For all the above criticisms, I still believe Frankenstein deserving of its place as a literary classic. It was ground-breaking for the time it was first published and conveys themes still relevant. Actually, it may be more relevant than ever as the idea of transhumanism (man merged with machine and artificial intelligence) is pushed upon us. I see less morality considered in today’s desire for human augmentation via implanted digital technology, than in Victor’s bestowing life through chemistry upon a creature made from body parts of the deceased. At least Victor recognized that a race of such creatures would be a threat to humanity. I think today’s Frankensteins see that as well, but they don’t care.
Title: Frankenstein
Author: Mary Shelley
ISBN: 1986617157
Type: Fiction, Horror, Literature
Ray's rating: 4 stars
