F: RIME OF THE ANCIENT MARINER
Use of the harsh and unwelcoming descriptions of The North Pole are
intertextually reflective of Coleridge’s epic poem ‘The Rime of the Ancient
Mariner’
Draws on a failed sense of enlightenment as the power of nature appears
to overcome man’s ambition to ‘penetrate the secrets of nature’.
Victor refers to a chain ‘which hangs around my neck’ reflective of the
Mariner’s Albatross- a punishment of overreaching.
F: ENLIGHTENMENT/ SCIENCE
an intellectual and philosophical movement that dominated the world of
ideas in Europe during the 18th century
Aldini, Volta and Galvani all explored possibility of animating life through
electricity
Galvani- frogs legs experiments
Aldini- experiements on prisoners ‘the left eye actually opened’ parallels
Victor’s observations ‘I saw the dull yellow eye of the creature open’
Study of physical monstrosity- tetralogy
Percy Shelley’s discussion of ‘the vitalist contraversy’ – biological origins
with creationist theory
, F: MARY WOLLSTONECRAFT
advocate for women’s rights, who died giving birth to her in 1797.
Wrote ‘A vindication for the rights of women’
Hence, Shelley grew up with no motherly affections, just like the
creature.
it is often suggested that the relationship between Frankenstein and
the creature is a result of Mary’s simultaneous attractions and
repulsion towards motherhood, and that the creature’s lack of
domestic affection parallels Shelley’s own.
F: PROMETHEUS
Frankenstein’ is often referred to as the ‘modern Prometheus’
Draws on the story of ‘Prometheus’ in Greek mythology, in which a
titan defies the gods by stealing fire and giving it to humanity.
Makes humanity out of clay
He is a figure who represents human striving, and the destructive
effects of defying the laws of nature,
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