Frankenstein

January, 2019

Frankenstein, a novel written by Mary Shelley in 1818, tells the story of a man, Dr. Frankenstein, who lives up in the mountains, and decides that he is going to build a monster, and bring that monster to life. The creation of Frankenstein escapes from the lab, and runs off into the woods. The novel tells the story of an innocent monster learning how cruel the human race can be, and longing for revenge upon his creator who brought him into this world. In a way, is that not what all of us do when we encounter suffering and hardships? We become upset towards God, and ask Him why he allows suffering and even why he allows us to continue living. Shelley unknowingly made that connection, and this phenomenal novel continues to resonate with humans even now, 200 years later.

Throughout the book, Shelley highlights the themes of romanticism and revenge. “Beware; for I am fearless, and therefore powerful.” “Life, although it may only be an accumulation of anguish, is dear to me, and I will defend it.” “If I cannot inspire love, I will cause fear!” “Even broken in spirit as he is, no one can feel more deeply than he does the beauties of nature. The starry sky, the sea, and every sight afforded by these wonderful regions, seems still to have the power of elevating his soul from earth. Such a man has a double existence: he may suffer misery, and be overwhelmed by disappointments; yet, when he has retired into himself, he will be like a celestial spirit that has a halo around him, within whose circle no grief or folly ventures.” “There is love in me the likes of which you've never seen. There is rage in me the likes of which should never escape. If I am not satisfied in the one, I will indulge the other.”