Chapter 8 - Justine's trial explains all the evidence but not the evidence of the locket. She is still acquitted and executed. The guilt builds up of two deaths on his conscience. Frankenstein knew then that it was only the beginning of their sorrow and he was responsible for all of it but unaware of how to prevent it. "[He] beheld those [he] loved spend vain sorrow upon the
graves of William and Justine, the first hapless victims to [his unhallowed arts." Chapter 8, pg. 73.
- 'Prophetic soul'- echoes Hamlet in Act 1 scene 5 line 41 where the ghost of Hamlets Father tells him of his murder by Claudius ans lays upon his sons the burden of revenge.
Theme- Innocence, confession all linked with religion.
CONTEXT- AO4
Prometheus and Paradise Lost
Prometheus is told to create mankind using mud and water. He is a great benefactor to mankind teaching them astrology and architecture etc. Though he stole fire from Zeus and gave it to the mortals, his punishment was to be bounded by a rock and on each day an eagle would come and peck out his liver which it then grew back and this continuously happened.
Frankenstein is viewed as the 'Modern Prometheus' stealing fire ffrom the Gods made him an admired figure among writers . Shares similarities with Frankenstein is told by Zeus to make a creation of humanity from mud and water, Victor creates a monster. Also how he steals fire by harnessing the power of lightening to animate his monster. Prometheus defies the supreme being and continues to purse knowledge (symbolises fire) until it has its consequences which parallels going against nature the way Frankenstein does.
Both are given gifts/powers such as Frankenstein is given intelligence and Prometheus is given trust though they both disobey the power given.
Paradise lost- form of a long poem, which tells the story of Adam, Eve and Satan. Satan uses the ability to talk to destroy the Earth.
- God creates the world and Adam and Eve, Frankenstein is the parallel to the character of being 'God'. He is seen as a more obsessive creator and self centered. The creature ca identify with Satan and Adam to be born perfect creatures but betray by committing sins.
- The creature being rejected shows the rejection of Adam and Eve.
Mary Shelley- Born in London 1797. Born into a wealthy family her mum being a feminist writer and father a philosopher,her mother died when Shelley was at a young age.
- she was always trying to come up with ideas for a horror story, had discussions about Darwin's theory of evolution with Lord Byron. She had a nightmare which developed the story of Frankenstein.
- Wrote the novel at the age of 19, as a woman it was published anonymously.
- Married Percy Shelley.
- Died in Bournemouth 1851.
Religious and Philosophical contexts
Christianity- painful or perfect eternal life that awaits after death, meaning heaven or hell.
Frankenstein- After life has been revoked the creation of a new creature.
- plays God by creating the creature
- monster has a soul whether he goes to heaven or hell though he wasn't born naturally.
Philosophical- 'Origin of species' Darwin's idea of evolution.
- society became liberal so people stopped going to church.
Scientific- Challenges the view thats God is powerful and challenges human creation.
- Science is being attacked by Mary Shelley because of its arrogance.
Superstition- Dracula, Dr Jekyl and Mr Hyde.
-fear of Frankenstein.
Romanticism
- Imagination and emotion over rationality.
- Exciting and mysterious quality.
- Pushing the boundary.
- Marginalised.
- Value nature.
French Revolution- Due to revolution and deficits. Le roi te touche, dieu te guient- If Kings influences on Britain: Rights of man, social reform, social reform, social class system, Britain constitution.
-Frankenstein unruly passion to chase after something that was out of his control.
-Product of unchecked intellectual ambition which missled him into a hollow existence.
-criticism of slavery and abolition in the 1800's.