Frankenstein
...message does Mary Shelley have for her readers about the role of scientists in society, and the possible dangers of scientific discoveries?
''Frankenstein or the Modern Prometheus'', is a Gothic novel, first published in 1818, by Mary Shelley. Mary Shelley was heavily influenced by the changes that occurred in the early 19 century, spurred on by the Industrial Revolution. At the time huge scientific advancements were taking place. As there was a massive influx of people into the cities the 'classic country life', was turned on its head. Darwin's revelations about the evolution of man, as well as experiments with electricity, that were performed on dead criminals, meant people turned away from religious teachings, believing instead that science held the answer for many of life's big questions.
“Frankenstein's” origins lie in a ghost story contest held between Mary Shelley, the Romantic poets Percy Shelley and Lord Byron, and his doctor John Polidori. Although it's classed as a Gothic novel, the story itself is based in and around science, causing many critics to argue it is among one of the very first science fiction novels. Through the use of varied narrators, it easily allows the reader to emphasise with different character's viewpoints. Shelley also uses Doppelgängers or mirrored characters, portrayed via Walton and Frankenstein, and the blinded ambition for glory that the two share. These doppelgängers are extremely important in the novel. One mad scientist could be said to be a one off. However two mad scientists shows Shelley to believe that this is how society was acting at the time. On the other hand many would link the novel to the ''Modern Prometheus'', an updated version of the classic Greek myth. ''Prometheus'' itself is an ironic tale, one that mirrors ''Frankenstein''. Prometheus was a Greek God, who stole fire to give to mankind. When he was...
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