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Wednesday, August 31, 2016
Of course, you cannot read Frankenstein without looking at it from a Christian lens. What Christian allusions do you see,and how do they play out in the novel?
The monster makes various biblical allusions while telling his story to Frankenstein. While lamenting that he is excluded from the happiness others enjoy, he proclaims, “Remember that I am thy [Victor’s] creature; I ought to be thy Adam, but I am rather the fallen angel, whom thou drivest from joy for no misdeed” (Shelley 105). He is referring to the story of Adam and Eve, in which God (here represented by Victor) creates the first man, Adam, made in his image to be the “perfect man”. The “fallen angel” is a reference to the story of Lucifer, a previously obedient angel who became envious as he wanted a position equal to God’s. Therefore, Lucifer led a rebellion against God and was exiled from Heaven, after which he was known as Satan. One could say that, like Lucifer, the monster longs to enjoy the same privileges as Victor (who, in terms of the novel’s biblical allusions, is “God”) and the rest of humanity. Due to his terrifyingly striking appearance, however, which defied the norms, he is barred from happiness or the earthly equivalent of Heaven. Frankenstein’s monster even admits, “Many times I considered Satan as the fitter emblem of my condition, for often, like him, when I viewed the bliss of my protectors, the bitter gall of envy rose within me” (Shelley 139). In the Bible, Lucifer then continues to perpetrate evil just as the monster does; Lucifer tempts Adam and Eve to disobey God through a serpent in the Garden of Eden and the monster murders Victor’s beloved family and friends. Lucifer strikes misfortune onto God, whom he resents, and the monster feels the same regarding, and does the same to, Victor (the monster is bitter toward his creator for giving him life – a miserable one – only to abandon him). Later, Frankenstein’s monster reads the novel Paradise Lost, about Adam, Eve, and Satan. He reflects that, like Adam, he was “hand-made” rather than born like other modern humans and therefore has no real connection to any other being (Shelley 139). However, their similarities end there as he remarks that Adam was successful and fulfilled, protected by his creator (God). It can also be pointed out that to provide Adam with company, God created a female – Eve – out of his ribs. The monster, however, remains lonely since even after requesting a female companion to keep him from causing harm, Victor cannot bring himself to fulfill his wish. Therefore, the monster never gets his Eve. “I remembered Adam’s supplication to his Creator,” he says, “but where was mine? He had abandoned me, and in the bitterness of my heart I cursed him” (Shelley 141).
The most blatant Christian allusion in the novel Frankenstein is how the monster is similar to Lazarus. Lazarus was Jesus’ best friend, however he fell ill and died. By the time that Jesus arrives Lazarus had been in the tomb for several days, and so Jesus rose Lazarus from the dead. Just like Jesus created life from the dead, Frankenstein was able to create life from the dead. This is not the only time the monster relates to Lazarus. When people heard of what happened to Lazarus they believed that he should be killed. This is much the same as when people believed that Frankenstein's monster should be killed because he looked or was evil.
As Frankenstein is largely centered on the creation of life, the most obvious biblical allusion is to the story of creation in Genesis. Through science, Victor Frankenstein thinks himself to be god in the creation of his monster. He muses “A new species would bless me as its creator and source” (Shelley 40). But this train of thought also mirrors the biblical origin of Lucifer, who was originally an angel, raised in goodness, much like Victor was raised in joy and happiness. Lucifer thought himself to be above God, and tried to use his power to rise up. Because of this, he was cast down from heaven, and descended into hell. Once Frankenstein believes himself to be God’s equal at the moment of creation, he realizes what he has done and throughout the duration of the novel, he is plunged into deep misery and a prisoner of his own personal hell. Once the two are reunited once more, the monster begs Frankenstein to show some compassion to his child: “Remember that I am thy creature; I ought to be thy Adam, but I am rather the fallen angel” (Shelley 87). Because the creation of the monster was a crime against nature and God, the monster itself is a corrupted version of Adam, the perfect man. The creature laments at the unfairness of life, but his creator is not forgiving.
The novel is filled with an assortment of Biblical references, which strengthen the story’s overall grandeur. The overall idea of one being, in this case Victor, creating man, or the monster, mimics the creation story of man, in which God creates man. Frankenstein's beast is similar to Adam, born with original sin. Likewise, the creature is born with an ugly appearance, his "original sin." Later on in the story, the beast does as far as to compare himself as Adam, without Eve to whom he could comfort himself. It is at this point that he requests Victor, God, to create a female beast, Eve. Unlike the Bible, however, Frankenstein declines. Shelley frequently mentions "Paradise Lost," "Lives," and "Sorrows of Werter," all involving the Bible. After being neglected by his creator, the monster admits that he wishes to turn to Satan and evil for consolation, as he is rejected by all of humanity. As a result, the monster turns to sin, as Adam did, and he resorts to violence and murder, killing Victor’s closest family and friends, directly and indirectly. Similarly, Adam turned to the devil when he ate a forbidden apple from the Garden of Eden. The story is set in a time, 18th Century, and place, England, when much of society was Evangelical Christian, so these allusions relate very much to the setting. Frankenstein involves the Naturalist concept of destiny, as it is Victor’s destiny to destroy his creation, which he calls a “mission of God” (220) and passes it on to Robert Walton, who does not even need to follow through, as the monster decides to die. Evidently, the allusions tie the story together well.
The monster calls Victor “the creator.” While technically, Victor created the monster and thus earned this title, it holds more of a biblical meaning. Victor also refers to himself as “the creator,” where he is defining himself as a god. Furthermore, Christianity supports that God created life, which Victor does. When the monster is discussing his history with Victor, he is very similar to Adam in the Garden of Eden. Adam was lonely and longed for a wife (Eve). The monster was lonely and longed for another of his kind, a female. Another reference to Adam and Eve in the story is Victor’s search for forbidden knowledge, particularly of the secrets of life. The secrets of life are the Forbidden Fruit in the Garden of Eden, and the minute that Adam eats the fruit he is kicked out of the Garden, and the minute that Victor creates the monster, he felt eternal suffering and unhappiness.
Biblical references are apparent in Frankenstein and many Christian allusions are made. Beginning with creation, the story of Frankenstein closely resembles that of Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden. For example, the monster is the first of his kind as Adam was first created by God. Throughout the story, the monster addresses Victor as his creator. Victor assumes a godly role since he succeeds in giving life to the monster. Another allusion is found in Victor's overall quest for higher knowledge. This closely resembles the lesson of temptation in the Garden of Eden. Victor's temptations lead him to produce and later neglect the monster he creates. Because of this temptation, Victor experiences emotional suffering and anguish.
I think the most recurrent idea in Frankenstein is that of the monster’s identity in relation to Christian theology, specifically his internal debate over whether he is the symbol of Adam, or the symbol of Satan. He confirms this during his encounter with Victor, stating "I am thy creature; I ought to be thy Adam, but I am rather the fallen angel, whom thou drivest from joy for no misdeed” (Shelley 123). The story is a parallel to the biblical relationship between God, Lucifer, and Adam, in the book of Genesis. As for who represents who…that depends on what point of the story you’re at. From Victor’s and the monster’s point-of-view in the beginning, Victor is God and the monster is Adam. Victor is the creator of life, the one who brought his monster into the world, and the havoc the monster wreaks eventually shifts him into the role of the devil. Whether it was justified or not, he does turn on Victor eventually, becoming “fallen”. Victor is pretty terrible at being a symbol of God, though. He turns his back on the monster and his passiveness allows several people to die, even those whom he holds dearest—and his reclusive nature means that those few people are the only ones he has connecting him to the world. This fall from grace—letting go of his frail grip on reality—is what turns Victor into the very monster he created. He sets out on a blind rampage with his only intent to wreak havoc in his pursuit of the monster. His malicious attitude effectively transforms him into Lucifer.
There are a few Christian allusions I noticed in the novel. The monster refers to himself as Adam. He says that he has no ties to anybody else in the world, like Adam was before Eve (Shelley 139). Also, like Adam, the monster asks his creator for a companion with which to live his life. The monster, on the other hand, also compares himself to Satan because of the bitterness and envy he feels sometimes when thinking of the humans around him (Shelley 139). If the monster is Adam, then one could view Frankenstein, his creator, as God. Unlike God, though, Frankenstein does not create his monster out of love, but out of the need to show his power. While the monster is directly stated in the novel as relating to Adam and Satan, I think that Victor is an allusion to them as well. Frankenstein’s interest in creating life starts with his need for knowledge. He reads everything about science that he can and experiments until he can find the means to create life. Adam also searched for knowledge. It was his need for more knowledge that got him banished from Eden by God. Once Frankenstein sees the horror that he creates, he runs from his home, his Eden, and decides to no longer pursue science. In this allusion, Frankenstein can be seen as Adam and, in a way, God. Like his monster, Frankenstein can also be compared to the devil. Satan was God’s favorite angel, but he became envious of God and wanted to be Him instead of simply a servant. He challenged God and was banished from Heaven after he lost. I think that Frankenstein can be related to the devil because Frankenstein seeks knowledge and the secret to creation in the novel. He tries to play God, but ends up alone and tortured by his mistakes in the end. Frankenstein loses the life he once had because of his greed, like the devil.
Throughout the novel, there are various Biblical allusions. Victor’s creation of the monster is very similar to the story of creation. Like Adam, the first man created by God, the monster was the first of its kind created by Victor. Similarly, being the sole member of their kind, both Adam and the monster are extremely lonely and ask their creator for a partner. God then creates Eve. When the monster asks Victor to create a woman for him, he hesitantly agrees, but in the midst of creating her, Victor stops for fear this new creature, like the original one, will lead a life of violence. Also, both God and Victor have hopes that their creations will be nothing but perfect, but Adam and the monster are far from perfect. Adam eats the forbidden fruit and the monster causes harm to Victor’s loved ones.
The most obvious allusion to Christianity in Frankenstein is the similarities between the monster and Adam. In the Bible, God created Adam, the first human being. In much the same way, Victor Frankenstein created his monster, a being with enhanced human attributes and the first of his kind. Adam was created after all of the other animals and noticed that they all had a partner, but he was alone. So, God created Eve, the first female human. In the novel, the monster blatantly points out this connection when he said “I remembered Adam’s supplication to his Creator. But where was mine?” Frankenstein’s monster wishes for a partner as well, believing that she would give him the affection that he was searching for, and that the two could go off together and not interfere with the rest of the world. However, after Frankenstein observes the damage and murder that his monster has committed, he refuses to create another, fearing that she would be even more violent, or would reproduce and introduce a whole new species of monsters on Earth. Sin did not enter the world until both Adam and Eve ate from the Tree of Knowledge, and Victor wants to prevent this sort of disobedience from happening with his creations. Where God was a superior being who created inferior beings in His image, Victor was an inferior being that created a superior being that looked horrifying. In a sense, Victor created the Devil instead of Adam. Soon after creating said beings, both creators regretted their actions; God decided to flood the Earth and start anew with Noah’s lineage, and Victor wished to kill his monster before he killed anyone else. In addition, the monster despised Frankenstein and blamed him for his agony in the same way that many nations of men turned their backs on God in the Bible and blamed Him for their troubles and misfortunes. However, when Victor died, the monster mourned his death, and often when men find themselves on the brink of death, they plead with God for mercy. The whole novel is a metaphor for the conflict between the creator and the created, and makes many allusions to the Bible and Genesis, one of the most well-known creation myths.
The most obvious allusion to Christianity in Frankenstein is the similarities between the monster and Adam. In the Bible, God created Adam, the first human being. In much the same way, Victor Frankenstein created his monster, a being with enhanced human attributes and the first of his kind. Adam was created after all of the other animals and noticed that they all had a partner, but he was alone. So, God created Eve, the first female human. In the novel, the monster blatantly points out this connection when he said “I remembered Adam’s supplication to his Creator. But where was mine?” Frankenstein’s monster wishes for a partner as well, believing that she would give him the affection that he was searching for, and that the two could go off together and not interfere with the rest of the world. However, after Frankenstein observes the damage and murder that his monster has committed, he refuses to create another, fearing that she would be even more violent, or would reproduce and introduce a whole new species of monsters on Earth. Sin did not enter the world until both Adam and Eve ate from the Tree of Knowledge, and Victor wants to prevent this sort of disobedience from happening with his creations. Where God was a superior being who created inferior beings in His image, Victor was an inferior being that created a superior being that looked horrifying. In a sense, Victor created the Devil instead of Adam. Soon after creating said beings, both creators regretted their actions; God decided to flood the Earth and start anew with Noah’s lineage, and Victor wished to kill his monster before he killed anyone else. In addition, the monster despised Frankenstein and blamed him for his agony in the same way that many nations of men turned their backs on God in the Bible and blamed Him for their troubles and misfortunes. However, when Victor died, the monster mourned his death, and often when men find themselves on the brink of death, they plead with God for mercy. The whole novel is a metaphor for the conflict between the creator and the created, and makes many allusions to the Bible and Genesis, one of the most well-known creation myths.
Biblical allusions are prevalent throughout Frankenstein, the most clear being the reference to Adam. Much like God created Adam, Victor created the monster, and the monster even calls Victor ‘The Creator”. The monster even makes the connection to this story when he says "I ought to be thy Adam; but I am rather the fallen angel."(69) Another connection that can be made to the bible is the monster being likened to the Devil. Victor frequently calls the monster the Devil once the monster murders relatives of victor. Much like God created the Devil as an angel, Victor created the monster to be a perfect human. Eventually, both the Devil and the monster turn their backs on their respective creators.
Throughout the novel, Frankenstein, there are various Christian allusions. One of the most prominent is the way in which Victor Frankenstein obtains the role of “the creator.” In this story, Frankenstein is god-like as he possesses the ability to create living things (a trait only possessed by God in the bible). Therefore, when the monster addresses Frankenstein, he refers to him as his “creator.” Not his parent, but his creator. Also, similar to Christianity, the novel deals with the issue of temptation. In the bible, acts of temptation lead to feelings of despair and regret. Likewise, Frankenstein is overcome with temptation and greed when he discovers his secret power. But when he acts on these selfish feelings and creates a monster, he is left to suffer alone through misery and guilt. Not only does Frankenstein act on temptation, but the monster does as well. When the monster realizes his hatred towards his “creator,” he is enticed into murdering all of Frankenstein’s loved ones. This is an extremely selfish act and when he finally comes to his senses, the monster is met with immense grief and repentance.
Obviously the most prominent biblical reference in Frankenstein is the relationship between Victor and his monster, which seems to be an allusion to God and his first human creations: Adam and Eve. This is the allusion that stuck out as the story of Adam and Eve is the biblical story that I know very well. In the story Adam and Eve are placed on Earth with food to eat and other resources, but they are told not to eat from one certain tree. Eventually they betray their promise to God and eat the fruit from the tree. This can be related to Frankenstein as Victor is the creator or “God” in this case, and the monster would be either Adam or Eve in the story. In a sense when the monster kills Victor’s brother and indirectly kills his family friend he betrays his creator just like Adam and Eve betrayed God by eating from the forbidden tree.
Looking at Frankenstein through a Christian lens yields the parallels between the story and the story of Adam and Eve. According to the Christian Bible, God created Adam and Eve in his own image, to live in a paradise world. God creates Adam from dust and tells him he can do whatever he wants except for one thing: Eat fruit from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil (Levenson, Jon D. (2004). "Genesis: introduction and annotations". In Berlin, Adele; Brettler, Marc Zvi. The Jewish Study Bible. Oxford University Press. ISBN 9780195297515.) God creates Eve out of one of Adam’s ribs. Eve, of course, eats fruit from the tree of knowledge and shares the fruit with Adam. God gets angry at his creations and banishes them from the Garden of Eden. Frankenstein has a God complex and creates his monster for no apparent reason. This monster is abandoned at birth by Frankenstein. Like Adam and Eve, Frankenstein has no embarrassment or shame about his looks. That is until he sees what normal humans look like and understands that they are scared of him. When Frankenstein’s monster wanders to an old man’s cottage and scares the man away he realizes how terrifying he looks and lives in hiding in the future. Out of anger and revenge, the monster kills Frankenstein’s brother William. Upon realizing that his own monster killed his brother, Frankenstein feels anger towards his monster and wants to kill him. Depending on who you think holds more blame, Frankenstein or his monster, the novel can be criticism on the story of Adam and Eve. To side with the monster would mean there is criticism towards Frankenstein for creating life, abandoning it, and becoming upset when the monster does something he doesn’t like. Likewise, God creates Adam and Eve to be clueless unless the eat from the tree of knowledge of good and evil of which they are told not to eat from. Adam and Eve are innocent and simple-minded which leads to Eve being tricked by a serpent into eating from the tree. Like Frankenstein’s monster, can we blame Eve for eating the fruit? Or do we blame the creator?
Careful, Ryan - Frankenstein is the doctor. The Monster is not called Frankenstein. He is called the Monster. Also - a lot of summary here, not much analysis. Are you comparing Eve to the Monster? Not sure about that.
Careful, Ryan - Frankenstein is the doctor. The Monster is not called Frankenstein. He is called the Monster. Also - a lot of summary here, not much analysis. Are you comparing Eve to the Monster? Not sure about that.
Mary Shelley alluded to Christianity many times in the novel, but the most prominent allusion was to Genesis, the first book in the Bible. Genesis is the story of how God created the world and then created the first humans, Adam and Eve. Victor Frankenstein represents God in that he created life, similar to the way God did. Although they hold similar positions of authority, they created life for completely different reasons. God created life so that others can enjoy the beauty that He has provided. Victor created life out of curiosity and a way to show off his power. Victor’s need for knowledge was what had Adam and Eve exiled from the Garden of Eden. Adam and Eve’s curiosity, caused by the serpent (Satan), is what got them into trouble. Victor’s quest for knowledge also got him into trouble. The monster is the first of his kind, similar to the way Adam was the first human. The monster, like Adam, was lonely. They both asked their creators for a companion. Adam’s request was granted but the monster’s denied. Victor Frankenstein also displays some devilish qualities. He tried to be God but in the end, he lost everyone he holds near and dear and also lost himself in the process.
The novel Frankenstein is all about creation, the creation of this new kind, this new creature. In ways this novel goes along with the story of Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden. Adam was the first of his kind in a world with just nature and animals. He tried to live his life but he was lonely. Thus the creation of Eve. Just like Adam the monster didn't fit into the world because there was nobody else like it. Nobody accepted him and the monster had nobody to relate to, nobody shared his problems. Just like Adam, the monster wasn't perfect and was too turned away from his creator.
One allusion that has been mentioned previously is the allusion to Paradise Lost. It was one of the three novels that the monster reads when attempting fit in with the family. Paradise Lost is an epic, by John Milton, that describes the creation story of the bible, along with describing the relationship between God and Satan. In Frankenstein, Victor oversteps the boundaries of nature and science and attempts to become God, creating his Adam. However, he turns his back on his creation, leaving it to be rejected by the place that Victor put him in. When the monster confronts Victor, he explains his role, “I ought to be thy Adam, but I am rather the fallen angel, whom thou drivest from joy for no misdeed. Everywhere I see bliss, from which I alone am irrevocably excluded”(66). The monster was created like Adam, yet he is rejected from the world like Satan. Milton’s story described how despite being kicked out of heaven, Satan persevered and struggled through the hardships that followed. Frankenstein describes Victor as a God, believing that he is creating his Adam, however it is because of the rejection of his creation that leads the monster to become Satan.
In Frankenstein, it is quite obvious that the creator of the monster, Victor, is in cold terms, "playing God" to his creation, Frankenstein. The relationship between Victor and the creature is one in which Victor seems the superior, a God-like allusion, to his creation. In Christianity, the "creator" is God, therefore leaving Victor, "the creator", in the parallel position. In addition, Frankenstein is Victor's first creation, which creates quite the parallel to the story of God's first human creations, Adam and Eve, who, like Frankenstein, know nothing about life or how it works. Victor's monster, until it is relinquished into the harsh realms of society, does not know what "normal" is. In addition, the positions can be flipped in the sense that Victor Frankenstein can represent Eve- Just as she vowed to God that she would not eat the apple from the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil, Victor had vowed to keep his end of the bargain and create a companion for his monster. When he broke his end of the bargain, Just as God punished Adam and Eve by banishing him from the Garden of Eden, Frankenstein (the monster), punishes Victor by terrorizing him and forcing him to go into hiding, and additionally murdering his fiance Elizabeth. Depending on the situation, the positions of both God and Adam and Eve can be interchangeable, and the blame may or may not be placed on both parties, both Victor, for taking a privilege that he had no right to use, or on Frankenstein for seeking immoral forms of revenge, murdering and tormenting. Both, in terms of Christianity, have sinned in different ways.
There are multiple biblical allusions in the story of Frankstein, one of the most prominent being God creating Adam, the first of mankind. Victor created life just as God did but for the wrong purposes—curiosity and the need for knowledge. He played the role of God and was determined to demonstrate his power by creating the perfect human being. However, his creation turned out to be a destructive monster. Like Adam, the monster was very lonely and sought for a companion. Therefore, he asked Victor to create another but unlike God who gave life to Eve, Victor was refused because he feared that his next creation would be even deadlier than the first. In the end, as a result of Victor’s greed and passion for higher knowledge, the monster murders all of his loved ones, causing him grief and anguish.
There are some Christian allusions throughout Frankenstein. During Victor’s process of creating the monster, he says that “A new species would bless me as its creator and source; many happy and excellent natures would owe their being to me. No father could claim the gratitude of his child so completely as I should deserve theirs” (Shelley 32). In a way, Victor defines himself as a creator, like God, who is able to create life. Victor’s monster also compares himself to Adam, from the story of Adam and Eve. Not only was Adam created by God similar to how the monster was created by Victor, but also like how Adam had Eve, Victor’s monster wanted a female companion as well. Adam and Eve’s temptations to take from the Tree of Knowledge led them to be punished by being banned from the Garden of Eden. In a way, this could compare to Victor’s punishment for creating the monster and abandoning it.
There are some Christian allusions throughout Frankenstein. During Victor’s process of creating the monster, he says that “A new species would bless me as its creator and source; many happy and excellent natures would owe their being to me. No father could claim the gratitude of his child so completely as I should deserve theirs” (Shelley 32). In a way, Victor defines himself as a creator, like God, who is able to create life. Victor’s monster also compares himself to Adam, from the story of Adam and Eve. Not only was Adam created by God similar to how the monster was created by Victor, but also like how Adam had Eve, Victor’s monster wanted a female companion as well. Adam and Eve’s temptations to take from the Tree of Knowledge led them to be punished by being banned from the Garden of Eden. In a way, this could compare to Victor’s punishment for creating the monster and abandoning it.
The character’s roles in this novel can easily resemble Christian allusion. The creature had often referred to Victor as his “Creator”. When I would hear this I would automatically think of Victor being like God. The “monster” could be seen as Adam from “Adam and Eve”. At first, the monster was completely innocent and ignorant. It wasn’t until he experienced abandonment, resentment, and rejection that the monster actually became a monster. All of these experiences could be thought as the “original sin” when Adam gave into temptation, just as Victor gave into his temptation. Just as Adam had betrayed God by eating the apple. The monster had betrayed his creator by killing his loved ones.
This novel is filled with many biblical references, many Christian allusions are made. For example, the most prominent allusion is Victor’s creation of the monster is very similar to the story of creation in the book of Genesis in the bible. This suggests that Victor is like the “God” in the story, and like God created Adam who was the first human the monster was Victor’s first creation of its kind. Meaning that they are the only members of their kind in existence. Like Adam the monster was extremely lonely because they did not fit in the world, so both ask their creators for a partner. Adam gets the creation of Eve, and the monster gets Victor to start the creation a woman for him. Also in both stories the creators want their creations to be perfect, but that did not occur both Adam and the monster turned away from their creators. Adam ate from the forbidden fruit and the monster ends up killing Victor’s brother.
Throughout the novel, Frankenstein, many Christian allusions are seen. The fact that Victor is referred to as “the creator” by himself and his monster, allows the reader to make a connection to God. Victor basically defines himself as being God. God is the creator of all of life. As Victor is constantly given the title, “the creator,” I cannot help to view this novel through the Christian lens. Another very essential Christian allusion is the monster’s similarity to Adam. While reading this novel, all I could think about was the story of Adam and Eve. Adam was the first man created by God. Likewise, the monster was the first of his different kind to be created by Victor. Due to this, both Adam and the monster fall very lonesome and they both bestow a request upon their creators, which is to have a companion of their same kind so they no longer have to experience loneliness. In honor of his creation’s request, God then created Eve, the first woman to ever be created. For the monster, Victor also agrees to create a woman of the monster’s same kind so he no longer has to be miserable. However, in the midst of creating another monster, a thought occurs in Victor’s mind and it tells him that if he creates another being, the two monsters will work together to destroy human kind. Victor soon changes his mind and withdraws the consent of his second creation. Both God and Victor wanted their creations to be perfect and they were disappointed to discover that this was not the case. Perfection does not exist. Adam goes against his creator and eats the fruit he is told not to eat, which is the moment original sin was brought to this earth. In Victor’s case, his creation fills with vengeance and becomes a wretched murderer, for he can no longer tolerate his abandonment.
There were definitely Christians allusions in Frankenstein; some that I even picked up on right away. The most evident biblical allusion in this text was the fact that Victor was referred to as “the creator.” This clearly connects with no one other than God himself since he is the creator of all man and the giver of life. Christians believe God to be the only one who has the ability to create life outside of giving birth, so in this sense, Victor is characterized as a god of some sorts in this novel. Another Christian allusion in Frankenstein is the fact that the “creation” can be compared with Adam. Adam was God’s first creation of his kind, similarly, just like Victor’s monster is the first creation of his “species.” Also, Victor’s creation insists that a companion should be made for him to keep him company in his isolation. In the same way, Adam was granted with a woman named Eve so that man would not be alone.
Biblical allusions are both evidently stated and hidden throughout the classic novel Frankenstein. One of the many allusions is that Victor is God and his creation is Adam. This allusion can be seen in many different ways, depending mainly on the analytical interpretation of the reader. The monsters constant want to understand the world that surrounds him and Victors neglection can be interpreted as Adam wanting to pick a fruit from the tree of knowledge but God forbidding the act. In the bible, God informs Adam that eating from the tree of knowledge (also referred to as the tree of life) will bring death. In the novel, as the monster becomes more knowledgeable of his surroundings and his creator, anger begins to grow within ultimately leading to murder aka death. The monster, besides from representing Adam also represents Satan. His own mind leads him to act against Victor in equivalence to how the snake persuaded Eve who later persuaded Adam to disobey the orders of God. The comparison between the monster and both Adam and Satan can also be found in chapter 15, “Like Adam, I was apparently United by no link to any other being in existence… Many times I considered Satan as the fitter emblem of my condition, for often, like him, when I viewed the bliss of my protectors, the bitter gall of envy rose within me.” (Shelley 90).
There are many biblical references made in the story of Frankenstein. To start, the monster refers to Frankenstein as his “creator” the same way God was the creator of mankind. When Frankenstein worried that creating a female monster would lead to mass destruction and the eventual extinction of humankind. While reading this I made a connection with Adam and Eve. The same way that humans had to pay for Eve's sin, all of humankind would have to pay for Frankensteins bad choice to create another monster. In this situation, the original creature is the snake in the garden (the devil) because he tries to convince Frankenstein to create another being, for some time Frankenstein agrees to this plead but eventually realizes the danger in this decision.
I believe that the one allusion to Christianity falls under the category of Adam and Eve. The monster blatantly makes references to Adam and Eve, often comparing himself to Adam. In chapter 15, he says, "Like Adam, I was apparently United by no link to any other being in existence… Many times I considered Satan as the fitter emblem of my condition, for often, like him, when I viewed the bliss of my protectors, the bitter gall of envy rose within me.” (Shelley 138). He often compares Victor, his creator, to God as well. This is an obvious allusion because Adam, like the monster to Frankenstein, was God's first creation. He was alone for a while until God created Eve, which the monster asks Frankenstein to do, but he ends up scrapping the idea. Also, the monster mentioned how he felt as though he could compare himself to Satan, which is another biblical allusion. He can, in fact, be compared to Satan, as he brings death and has a lust for murder, which are thoughts associated with evil.
I believe that the book from the Christian lens is all about man looking for more than God has given. As any other human the monster seeks to find what he doesn't have and other have. So the best way Christians do this is by going to their knees and praying for the solution and proposing to God that they'll be impecable Christians. Just like the monster does with his own "God" when he says "I will not be tempted to set myself in opposition to thee. I am thy creature, and I will be even mild and docile toy natural lord and king, if thou wilt also perform thy part, the which thou owest me" (Shelley 65). The monster here seeks that Victor gives him a privilege and that he "[tramples] upon [him]" (Shelley 65). God might answer his true followers but as in this case Victor's answer is "Begone! I will not here you" (Shelley 65). In this examples from the text the Christian way of seeking help from their father is framed in letters of a gothic novel.
Most religious people would be able to see the Christianity aspect of "Frankenstein". Victor created a new life as a mortal being, which should only be the work of God. By acting as a god since he was able to create life, Frankenstein is already breaking the first of the Ten Commandments: "Thou shalt have no other gods before me". Also, since Frankenstein is not an actual god, the God vs. Satan aspect kicks in. Frankenstein was able to give his creature life, but he was not able to give him a soul. The monster would refer to Frankenstein as his "creator", which would be God, and Frankenstein would commonly call his monster a demon or the devil, which would be Satan. The monster has no soul, so it would make sense that he is Satan. Also, Satan was originally born as a cherub, which are God's most angelic beings. The monster, too, also aspired to do good with his life since he was created a pure being as well. Also both beings were wise and righteous. However, Satan rebelled from God from his pride of being God's perfect angel and wanting to be the sole recipient of God's worship. Satan's greed is similar to the creature's outbreak, which came from the monster not getting his way with Frankenstein, who wouldn't make him a companion. Through these ways do the Christian allusions Mary Shelley wrote about peak through.
In Mary Shelly's Frankenstein Christian allusions prove to be prominent. Victor, after carrying out his role in creating his own monster, views himself as a God for reanimating life. Later in the novel, the monster also describes how he is similar to Adam; being the only person( or in this case monster) in his existence. Mary Shelley also demonstrates to readers that only God's powers are to be used for good when she shows how Victor's creation, although built carefully and with much passion, was evil and destructive because it was made by another human and not God himself.
The monster makes various biblical allusions while telling his story to Frankenstein. While lamenting that he is excluded from the happiness others enjoy, he proclaims, “Remember that I am thy [Victor’s] creature; I ought to be thy Adam, but I am rather the fallen angel, whom thou drivest from joy for no misdeed” (Shelley 105). He is referring to the story of Adam and Eve, in which God (here represented by Victor) creates the first man, Adam, made in his image to be the “perfect man”. The “fallen angel” is a reference to the story of Lucifer, a previously obedient angel who became envious as he wanted a position equal to God’s. Therefore, Lucifer led a rebellion against God and was exiled from Heaven, after which he was known as Satan. One could say that, like Lucifer, the monster longs to enjoy the same privileges as Victor (who, in terms of the novel’s biblical allusions, is “God”) and the rest of humanity. Due to his terrifyingly striking appearance, however, which defied the norms, he is barred from happiness or the earthly equivalent of Heaven. Frankenstein’s monster even admits, “Many times I considered Satan as the fitter emblem of my condition, for often, like him, when I viewed the bliss of my protectors, the bitter gall of envy rose within me” (Shelley 139). In the Bible, Lucifer then continues to perpetrate evil just as the monster does; Lucifer tempts Adam and Eve to disobey God through a serpent in the Garden of Eden and the monster murders Victor’s beloved family and friends. Lucifer strikes misfortune onto God, whom he resents, and the monster feels the same regarding, and does the same to, Victor (the monster is bitter toward his creator for giving him life – a miserable one – only to abandon him). Later, Frankenstein’s monster reads the novel Paradise Lost, about Adam, Eve, and Satan. He reflects that, like Adam, he was “hand-made” rather than born like other modern humans and therefore has no real connection to any other being (Shelley 139). However, their similarities end there as he remarks that Adam was successful and fulfilled, protected by his creator (God). It can also be pointed out that to provide Adam with company, God created a female – Eve – out of his ribs. The monster, however, remains lonely since even after requesting a female companion to keep him from causing harm, Victor cannot bring himself to fulfill his wish. Therefore, the monster never gets his Eve. “I remembered Adam’s supplication to his Creator,” he says, “but where was mine? He had abandoned me, and in the bitterness of my heart I cursed him” (Shelley 141).
ReplyDeleteThe most blatant Christian allusion in the novel Frankenstein is how the monster is similar to Lazarus. Lazarus was Jesus’ best friend, however he fell ill and died. By the time that Jesus arrives Lazarus had been in the tomb for several days, and so Jesus rose Lazarus from the dead. Just like Jesus created life from the dead, Frankenstein was able to create life from the dead. This is not the only time the monster relates to Lazarus. When people heard of what happened to Lazarus they believed that he should be killed. This is much the same as when people believed that Frankenstein's monster should be killed because he looked or was evil.
ReplyDeleteBut, Jesus does not create Lazarus. Hm. I am not sure about this.
DeleteBut, Jesus does not create Lazarus. Hm. I am not sure about this.
DeleteAs Frankenstein is largely centered on the creation of life, the most obvious biblical allusion is to the story of creation in Genesis. Through science, Victor Frankenstein thinks himself to be god in the creation of his monster. He muses “A new species would bless me as its creator and source” (Shelley 40). But this train of thought also mirrors the biblical origin of Lucifer, who was originally an angel, raised in goodness, much like Victor was raised in joy and happiness. Lucifer thought himself to be above God, and tried to use his power to rise up. Because of this, he was cast down from heaven, and descended into hell. Once Frankenstein believes himself to be God’s equal at the moment of creation, he realizes what he has done and throughout the duration of the novel, he is plunged into deep misery and a prisoner of his own personal hell. Once the two are reunited once more, the monster begs Frankenstein to show some compassion to his child: “Remember that I am thy creature; I ought to be thy Adam, but I am rather the fallen angel” (Shelley 87). Because the creation of the monster was a crime against nature and God, the monster itself is a corrupted version of Adam, the perfect man. The creature laments at the unfairness of life, but his creator is not forgiving.
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ReplyDeleteThe novel is filled with an assortment of Biblical references, which strengthen the story’s overall grandeur. The overall idea of one being, in this case Victor, creating man, or the monster, mimics the creation story of man, in which God creates man. Frankenstein's beast is similar to Adam, born with original sin. Likewise, the creature is born with an ugly appearance, his "original sin." Later on in the story, the beast does as far as to compare himself as Adam, without Eve to whom he could comfort himself. It is at this point that he requests Victor, God, to create a female beast, Eve. Unlike the Bible, however, Frankenstein declines. Shelley frequently mentions "Paradise Lost," "Lives," and "Sorrows of Werter," all involving the Bible. After being neglected by his creator, the monster admits that he wishes to turn to Satan and evil for consolation, as he is rejected by all of humanity. As a result, the monster turns to sin, as Adam did, and he resorts to violence and murder, killing Victor’s closest family and friends, directly and indirectly. Similarly, Adam turned to the devil when he ate a forbidden apple from the Garden of Eden. The story is set in a time, 18th Century, and place, England, when much of society was Evangelical Christian, so these allusions relate very much to the setting. Frankenstein involves the Naturalist concept of destiny, as it is Victor’s destiny to destroy his creation, which he calls a “mission of God” (220) and passes it on to Robert Walton, who does not even need to follow through, as the monster decides to die. Evidently, the allusions tie the story together well.
ReplyDeleteThe monster calls Victor “the creator.” While technically, Victor created the monster and thus earned this title, it holds more of a biblical meaning. Victor also refers to himself as “the creator,” where he is defining himself as a god. Furthermore, Christianity supports that God created life, which Victor does. When the monster is discussing his history with Victor, he is very similar to Adam in the Garden of Eden. Adam was lonely and longed for a wife (Eve). The monster was lonely and longed for another of his kind, a female. Another reference to Adam and Eve in the story is Victor’s search for forbidden knowledge, particularly of the secrets of life. The secrets of life are the Forbidden Fruit in the Garden of Eden, and the minute that Adam eats the fruit he is kicked out of the Garden, and the minute that Victor creates the monster, he felt eternal suffering and unhappiness.
ReplyDeleteBiblical references are apparent in Frankenstein and many Christian allusions are made. Beginning with creation, the story of Frankenstein closely resembles that of Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden. For example, the monster is the first of his kind as Adam was first created by God. Throughout the story, the monster addresses Victor as his creator. Victor assumes a godly role since he succeeds in giving life to the monster. Another allusion is found in Victor's overall quest for higher knowledge. This closely resembles the lesson of temptation in the Garden of Eden. Victor's temptations lead him to produce and later neglect the monster he creates. Because of this temptation, Victor experiences emotional suffering and anguish.
ReplyDeleteI think the most recurrent idea in Frankenstein is that of the monster’s identity in relation to Christian theology, specifically his internal debate over whether he is the symbol of Adam, or the symbol of Satan. He confirms this during his encounter with Victor, stating "I am thy creature; I ought to be thy Adam, but I am rather the fallen angel, whom thou drivest from joy for no misdeed” (Shelley 123). The story is a parallel to the biblical relationship between God, Lucifer, and Adam, in the book of Genesis. As for who represents who…that depends on what point of the story you’re at. From Victor’s and the monster’s point-of-view in the beginning, Victor is God and the monster is Adam. Victor is the creator of life, the one who brought his monster into the world, and the havoc the monster wreaks eventually shifts him into the role of the devil. Whether it was justified or not, he does turn on Victor eventually, becoming “fallen”. Victor is pretty terrible at being a symbol of God, though. He turns his back on the monster and his passiveness allows several people to die, even those whom he holds dearest—and his reclusive nature means that those few people are the only ones he has connecting him to the world. This fall from grace—letting go of his frail grip on reality—is what turns Victor into the very monster he created. He sets out on a blind rampage with his only intent to wreak havoc in his pursuit of the monster. His malicious attitude effectively transforms him into Lucifer.
ReplyDeleteThere are a few Christian allusions I noticed in the novel. The monster refers to himself as Adam. He says that he has no ties to anybody else in the world, like Adam was before Eve (Shelley 139). Also, like Adam, the monster asks his creator for a companion with which to live his life. The monster, on the other hand, also compares himself to Satan because of the bitterness and envy he feels sometimes when thinking of the humans around him (Shelley 139). If the monster is Adam, then one could view Frankenstein, his creator, as God. Unlike God, though, Frankenstein does not create his monster out of love, but out of the need to show his power. While the monster is directly stated in the novel as relating to Adam and Satan, I think that Victor is an allusion to them as well. Frankenstein’s interest in creating life starts with his need for knowledge. He reads everything about science that he can and experiments until he can find the means to create life. Adam also searched for knowledge. It was his need for more knowledge that got him banished from Eden by God. Once Frankenstein sees the horror that he creates, he runs from his home, his Eden, and decides to no longer pursue science. In this allusion, Frankenstein can be seen as Adam and, in a way, God. Like his monster, Frankenstein can also be compared to the devil. Satan was God’s favorite angel, but he became envious of God and wanted to be Him instead of simply a servant. He challenged God and was banished from Heaven after he lost. I think that Frankenstein can be related to the devil because Frankenstein seeks knowledge and the secret to creation in the novel. He tries to play God, but ends up alone and tortured by his mistakes in the end. Frankenstein loses the life he once had because of his greed, like the devil.
ReplyDeleteThroughout the novel, there are various Biblical allusions. Victor’s creation of the monster is very similar to the story of creation. Like Adam, the first man created by God, the monster was the first of its kind created by Victor. Similarly, being the sole member of their kind, both Adam and the monster are extremely lonely and ask their creator for a partner. God then creates Eve. When the monster asks Victor to create a woman for him, he hesitantly agrees, but in the midst of creating her, Victor stops for fear this new creature, like the original one, will lead a life of violence. Also, both God and Victor have hopes that their creations will be nothing but perfect, but Adam and the monster are far from perfect. Adam eats the forbidden fruit and the monster causes harm to Victor’s loved ones.
ReplyDeleteThe most obvious allusion to Christianity in Frankenstein is the similarities between the monster and Adam. In the Bible, God created Adam, the first human being. In much the same way, Victor Frankenstein created his monster, a being with enhanced human attributes and the first of his kind. Adam was created after all of the other animals and noticed that they all had a partner, but he was alone. So, God created Eve, the first female human. In the novel, the monster blatantly points out this connection when he said “I remembered Adam’s supplication to his Creator. But where was mine?” Frankenstein’s monster wishes for a partner as well, believing that she would give him the affection that he was searching for, and that the two could go off together and not interfere with the rest of the world. However, after Frankenstein observes the damage and murder that his monster has committed, he refuses to create another, fearing that she would be even more violent, or would reproduce and introduce a whole new species of monsters on Earth. Sin did not enter the world until both Adam and Eve ate from the Tree of Knowledge, and Victor wants to prevent this sort of disobedience from happening with his creations. Where God was a superior being who created inferior beings in His image, Victor was an inferior being that created a superior being that looked horrifying. In a sense, Victor created the Devil instead of Adam. Soon after creating said beings, both creators regretted their actions; God decided to flood the Earth and start anew with Noah’s lineage, and Victor wished to kill his monster before he killed anyone else. In addition, the monster despised Frankenstein and blamed him for his agony in the same way that many nations of men turned their backs on God in the Bible and blamed Him for their troubles and misfortunes. However, when Victor died, the monster mourned his death, and often when men find themselves on the brink of death, they plead with God for mercy. The whole novel is a metaphor for the conflict between the creator and the created, and makes many allusions to the Bible and Genesis, one of the most well-known creation myths.
ReplyDeleteThe most obvious allusion to Christianity in Frankenstein is the similarities between the monster and Adam. In the Bible, God created Adam, the first human being. In much the same way, Victor Frankenstein created his monster, a being with enhanced human attributes and the first of his kind. Adam was created after all of the other animals and noticed that they all had a partner, but he was alone. So, God created Eve, the first female human. In the novel, the monster blatantly points out this connection when he said “I remembered Adam’s supplication to his Creator. But where was mine?” Frankenstein’s monster wishes for a partner as well, believing that she would give him the affection that he was searching for, and that the two could go off together and not interfere with the rest of the world. However, after Frankenstein observes the damage and murder that his monster has committed, he refuses to create another, fearing that she would be even more violent, or would reproduce and introduce a whole new species of monsters on Earth. Sin did not enter the world until both Adam and Eve ate from the Tree of Knowledge, and Victor wants to prevent this sort of disobedience from happening with his creations. Where God was a superior being who created inferior beings in His image, Victor was an inferior being that created a superior being that looked horrifying. In a sense, Victor created the Devil instead of Adam. Soon after creating said beings, both creators regretted their actions; God decided to flood the Earth and start anew with Noah’s lineage, and Victor wished to kill his monster before he killed anyone else. In addition, the monster despised Frankenstein and blamed him for his agony in the same way that many nations of men turned their backs on God in the Bible and blamed Him for their troubles and misfortunes. However, when Victor died, the monster mourned his death, and often when men find themselves on the brink of death, they plead with God for mercy. The whole novel is a metaphor for the conflict between the creator and the created, and makes many allusions to the Bible and Genesis, one of the most well-known creation myths.
ReplyDeleteBiblical allusions are prevalent throughout Frankenstein, the most clear being the reference to Adam. Much like God created Adam, Victor created the monster, and the monster even calls Victor ‘The Creator”. The monster even makes the connection to this story when he says "I ought to be thy Adam; but I am rather the fallen angel."(69) Another connection that can be made to the bible is the monster being likened to the Devil. Victor frequently calls the monster the Devil once the monster murders relatives of victor. Much like God created the Devil as an angel, Victor created the monster to be a perfect human. Eventually, both the Devil and the monster turn their backs on their respective creators.
ReplyDeleteThroughout the novel, Frankenstein, there are various Christian allusions. One of the most prominent is the way in which Victor Frankenstein obtains the role of “the creator.” In this story, Frankenstein is god-like as he possesses the ability to create living things (a trait only possessed by God in the bible). Therefore, when the monster addresses Frankenstein, he refers to him as his “creator.” Not his parent, but his creator. Also, similar to Christianity, the novel deals with the issue of temptation. In the bible, acts of temptation lead to feelings of despair and regret. Likewise, Frankenstein is overcome with temptation and greed when he discovers his secret power. But when he acts on these selfish feelings and creates a monster, he is left to suffer alone through misery and guilt. Not only does Frankenstein act on temptation, but the monster does as well. When the monster realizes his hatred towards his “creator,” he is enticed into murdering all of Frankenstein’s loved ones. This is an extremely selfish act and when he finally comes to his senses, the monster is met with immense grief and repentance.
ReplyDeleteHe is? How does he repent?
DeleteHe is? How does he repent?
DeleteObviously the most prominent biblical reference in Frankenstein is the relationship between Victor and his monster, which seems to be an allusion to God and his first human creations: Adam and Eve. This is the allusion that stuck out as the story of Adam and Eve is the biblical story that I know very well. In the story Adam and Eve are placed on Earth with food to eat and other resources, but they are told not to eat from one certain tree. Eventually they betray their promise to God and eat the fruit from the tree. This can be related to Frankenstein as Victor is the creator or “God” in this case, and the monster would be either Adam or Eve in the story. In a sense when the monster kills Victor’s brother and indirectly kills his family friend he betrays his creator just like Adam and Eve betrayed God by eating from the forbidden tree.
ReplyDeleteReally? Does he? The monster is exacting revenge. How is that like Adam and Eve?
DeleteReally? Does he? The monster is exacting revenge. How is that like Adam and Eve?
DeleteLooking at Frankenstein through a Christian lens yields the parallels between the story and the story of Adam and Eve. According to the Christian Bible, God created Adam and Eve in his own image, to live in a paradise world. God creates Adam from dust and tells him he can do whatever he wants except for one thing: Eat fruit from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil (Levenson, Jon D. (2004). "Genesis: introduction and annotations". In Berlin, Adele; Brettler, Marc Zvi. The Jewish Study Bible. Oxford University Press. ISBN 9780195297515.) God creates Eve out of one of Adam’s ribs. Eve, of course, eats fruit from the tree of knowledge and shares the fruit with Adam. God gets angry at his creations and banishes them from the Garden of Eden. Frankenstein has a God complex and creates his monster for no apparent reason. This monster is abandoned at birth by Frankenstein. Like Adam and Eve, Frankenstein has no embarrassment or shame about his looks. That is until he sees what normal humans look like and understands that they are scared of him. When Frankenstein’s monster wanders to an old man’s cottage and scares the man away he realizes how terrifying he looks and lives in hiding in the future. Out of anger and revenge, the monster kills Frankenstein’s brother William. Upon realizing that his own monster killed his brother, Frankenstein feels anger towards his monster and wants to kill him. Depending on who you think holds more blame, Frankenstein or his monster, the novel can be criticism on the story of Adam and Eve. To side with the monster would mean there is criticism towards Frankenstein for creating life, abandoning it, and becoming upset when the monster does something he doesn’t like. Likewise, God creates Adam and Eve to be clueless unless the eat from the tree of knowledge of good and evil of which they are told not to eat from. Adam and Eve are innocent and simple-minded which leads to Eve being tricked by a serpent into eating from the tree. Like Frankenstein’s monster, can we blame Eve for eating the fruit? Or do we blame the creator?
ReplyDeleteCareful, Ryan - Frankenstein is the doctor. The Monster is not called Frankenstein. He is called the Monster. Also - a lot of summary here, not much analysis. Are you comparing Eve to the Monster? Not sure about that.
DeleteCareful, Ryan - Frankenstein is the doctor. The Monster is not called Frankenstein. He is called the Monster. Also - a lot of summary here, not much analysis. Are you comparing Eve to the Monster? Not sure about that.
Delete
ReplyDeleteMary Shelley alluded to Christianity many times in the novel, but the most prominent allusion was to Genesis, the first book in the Bible. Genesis is the story of how God created the world and then created the first humans, Adam and Eve. Victor Frankenstein represents God in that he created life, similar to the way God did. Although they hold similar positions of authority, they created life for completely different reasons. God created life so that others can enjoy the beauty that He has provided. Victor created life out of curiosity and a way to show off his power. Victor’s need for knowledge was what had Adam and Eve exiled from the Garden of Eden. Adam and Eve’s curiosity, caused by the serpent (Satan), is what got them into trouble. Victor’s quest for knowledge also got him into trouble. The monster is the first of his kind, similar to the way Adam was the first human. The monster, like Adam, was lonely. They both asked their creators for a companion. Adam’s request was granted but the monster’s denied. Victor Frankenstein also displays some devilish qualities. He tried to be God but in the end, he lost everyone he holds near and dear and also lost himself in the process.
The novel Frankenstein is all about creation, the creation of this new kind, this new creature. In ways this novel goes along with the story of Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden. Adam was the first of his kind in a world with just nature and animals. He tried to live his life but he was lonely. Thus the creation of Eve. Just like Adam the monster didn't fit into the world because there was nobody else like it. Nobody accepted him and the monster had nobody to relate to, nobody shared his problems. Just like Adam, the monster wasn't perfect and was too turned away from his creator.
ReplyDeleteOne allusion that has been mentioned previously is the allusion to Paradise Lost. It was one of the three novels that the monster reads when attempting fit in with the family. Paradise Lost is an epic, by John Milton, that describes the creation story of the bible, along with describing the relationship between God and Satan. In Frankenstein, Victor oversteps the boundaries of nature and science and attempts to become God, creating his Adam. However, he turns his back on his creation, leaving it to be rejected by the place that Victor put him in. When the monster confronts Victor, he explains his role, “I ought to be thy Adam, but I am rather the fallen angel, whom thou drivest from joy for no misdeed. Everywhere I see bliss, from which I alone am irrevocably excluded”(66). The monster was created like Adam, yet he is rejected from the world like Satan. Milton’s story described how despite being kicked out of heaven, Satan persevered and struggled through the hardships that followed. Frankenstein describes Victor as a God, believing that he is creating his Adam, however it is because of the rejection of his creation that leads the monster to become Satan.
ReplyDeleteIn Frankenstein, it is quite obvious that the creator of the monster, Victor, is in cold terms, "playing God" to his creation, Frankenstein. The relationship between Victor and the creature is one in which Victor seems the superior, a God-like allusion, to his creation. In Christianity, the "creator" is God, therefore leaving Victor, "the creator", in the parallel position. In addition, Frankenstein is Victor's first creation, which creates quite the parallel to the story of God's first human creations, Adam and Eve, who, like Frankenstein, know nothing about life or how it works. Victor's monster, until it is relinquished into the harsh realms of society, does not know what "normal" is. In addition, the positions can be flipped in the sense that Victor Frankenstein can represent Eve- Just as she vowed to God that she would not eat the apple from the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil, Victor had vowed to keep his end of the bargain and create a companion for his monster. When he broke his end of the bargain, Just as God punished Adam and Eve by banishing him from the Garden of Eden, Frankenstein (the monster), punishes Victor by terrorizing him and forcing him to go into hiding, and additionally murdering his fiance Elizabeth. Depending on the situation, the positions of both God and Adam and Eve can be interchangeable, and the blame may or may not be placed on both parties, both Victor, for taking a privilege that he had no right to use, or on Frankenstein for seeking immoral forms of revenge, murdering and tormenting. Both, in terms of Christianity, have sinned in different ways.
ReplyDeleteThere are multiple biblical allusions in the story of Frankstein, one of the most prominent being God creating Adam, the first of mankind. Victor created life just as God did but for the wrong purposes—curiosity and the need for knowledge. He played the role of God and was determined to demonstrate his power by creating the perfect human being. However, his creation turned out to be a destructive monster. Like Adam, the monster was very lonely and sought for a companion. Therefore, he asked Victor to create another but unlike God who gave life to Eve, Victor was refused because he feared that his next creation would be even deadlier than the first. In the end, as a result of Victor’s greed and passion for higher knowledge, the monster murders all of his loved ones, causing him grief and anguish.
ReplyDeleteThere are some Christian allusions throughout Frankenstein. During Victor’s process of creating the monster, he says that “A new species would bless me as its creator and source; many happy and excellent natures would owe their being to me. No father could claim the gratitude of his child so completely as I should deserve theirs” (Shelley 32). In a way, Victor defines himself as a creator, like God, who is able to create life. Victor’s monster also compares himself to Adam, from the story of Adam and Eve. Not only was Adam created by God similar to how the monster was created by Victor, but also like how Adam had Eve, Victor’s monster wanted a female companion as well. Adam and Eve’s temptations to take from the Tree of Knowledge led them to be punished by being banned from the Garden of Eden. In a way, this could compare to Victor’s punishment for creating the monster and abandoning it.
ReplyDeleteWas the Monster's environment an Eden of sorts?
DeleteThere are some Christian allusions throughout Frankenstein. During Victor’s process of creating the monster, he says that “A new species would bless me as its creator and source; many happy and excellent natures would owe their being to me. No father could claim the gratitude of his child so completely as I should deserve theirs” (Shelley 32). In a way, Victor defines himself as a creator, like God, who is able to create life. Victor’s monster also compares himself to Adam, from the story of Adam and Eve. Not only was Adam created by God similar to how the monster was created by Victor, but also like how Adam had Eve, Victor’s monster wanted a female companion as well. Adam and Eve’s temptations to take from the Tree of Knowledge led them to be punished by being banned from the Garden of Eden. In a way, this could compare to Victor’s punishment for creating the monster and abandoning it.
ReplyDeleteThe character’s roles in this novel can easily resemble Christian allusion. The creature had often referred to Victor as his “Creator”. When I would hear this I would automatically think of Victor being like God. The “monster” could be seen as Adam from “Adam and Eve”. At first, the monster was completely innocent and ignorant. It wasn’t until he experienced abandonment, resentment, and rejection that the monster actually became a monster. All of these experiences could be thought as the “original sin” when Adam gave into temptation, just as Victor gave into his temptation. Just as Adam had betrayed God by eating the apple. The monster had betrayed his creator by killing his loved ones.
ReplyDeleteThis novel is filled with many biblical references, many Christian allusions are made. For example, the most prominent allusion is Victor’s creation of the monster is very similar to the story of creation in the book of Genesis in the bible. This suggests that Victor is like the “God” in the story, and like God created Adam who was the first human the monster was Victor’s first creation of its kind. Meaning that they are the only members of their kind in existence. Like Adam the monster was extremely lonely because they did not fit in the world, so both ask their creators for a partner. Adam gets the creation of Eve, and the monster gets Victor to start the creation a woman for him. Also in both stories the creators want their creations to be perfect, but that did not occur both Adam and the monster turned away from their creators. Adam ate from the forbidden fruit and the monster ends up killing Victor’s brother.
ReplyDeleteThroughout the novel, Frankenstein, many Christian allusions are seen. The fact that Victor is referred to as “the creator” by himself and his monster, allows the reader to make a connection to God. Victor basically defines himself as being God. God is the creator of all of life. As Victor is constantly given the title, “the creator,” I cannot help to view this novel through the Christian lens. Another very essential Christian allusion is the monster’s similarity to Adam. While reading this novel, all I could think about was the story of Adam and Eve. Adam was the first man created by God. Likewise, the monster was the first of his different kind to be created by Victor. Due to this, both Adam and the monster fall very lonesome and they both bestow a request upon their creators, which is to have a companion of their same kind so they no longer have to experience loneliness. In honor of his creation’s request, God then created Eve, the first woman to ever be created. For the monster, Victor also agrees to create a woman of the monster’s same kind so he no longer has to be miserable. However, in the midst of creating another monster, a thought occurs in Victor’s mind and it tells him that if he creates another being, the two monsters will work together to destroy human kind. Victor soon changes his mind and withdraws the consent of his second creation. Both God and Victor wanted their creations to be perfect and they were disappointed to discover that this was not the case. Perfection does not exist. Adam goes against his creator and eats the fruit he is told not to eat, which is the moment original sin was brought to this earth. In Victor’s case, his creation fills with vengeance and becomes a wretched murderer, for he can no longer tolerate his abandonment.
ReplyDeleteThere were definitely Christians allusions in Frankenstein; some that I even picked up on right away. The most evident biblical allusion in this text was the fact that Victor was referred to as “the creator.” This clearly connects with no one other than God himself since he is the creator of all man and the giver of life. Christians believe God to be the only one who has the ability to create life outside of giving birth, so in this sense, Victor is characterized as a god of some sorts in this novel. Another Christian allusion in Frankenstein is the fact that the “creation” can be compared with Adam. Adam was God’s first creation of his kind, similarly, just like Victor’s monster is the first creation of his “species.” Also, Victor’s creation insists that a companion should be made for him to keep him company in his isolation. In the same way, Adam was granted with a woman named Eve so that man would not be alone.
ReplyDeleteBiblical allusions are both evidently stated and hidden throughout the classic novel Frankenstein. One of the many allusions is that Victor is God and his creation is Adam. This allusion can be seen in many different ways, depending mainly on the analytical interpretation of the reader. The monsters constant want to understand the world that surrounds him and Victors neglection can be interpreted as Adam wanting to pick a fruit from the tree of knowledge but God forbidding the act. In the bible, God informs Adam that eating from the tree of knowledge (also referred to as the tree of life) will bring death. In the novel, as the monster becomes more knowledgeable of his surroundings and his creator, anger begins to grow within ultimately leading to murder aka death. The monster, besides from representing Adam also represents Satan. His own mind leads him to act against Victor in equivalence to how the snake persuaded Eve who later persuaded Adam to disobey the orders of God. The comparison between the monster and both Adam and Satan can also be found in chapter 15, “Like Adam, I was apparently United by no link to any other being in existence… Many times I considered Satan as the fitter emblem of my condition, for often, like him, when I viewed the bliss of my protectors, the bitter gall of envy rose within me.” (Shelley 90).
ReplyDeleteThere are many biblical references made in the story of Frankenstein. To start, the monster refers to Frankenstein as his “creator” the same way God was the creator of mankind. When Frankenstein worried that creating a female monster would lead to mass destruction and the eventual extinction of humankind. While reading this I made a connection with Adam and Eve. The same way that humans had to pay for Eve's sin, all of humankind would have to pay for Frankensteins bad choice to create another monster. In this situation, the original creature is the snake in the garden (the devil) because he tries to convince Frankenstein to create another being, for some time Frankenstein agrees to this plead but eventually realizes the danger in this decision.
ReplyDeleteI believe that the one allusion to Christianity falls under the category of Adam and Eve. The monster blatantly makes references to Adam and Eve, often comparing himself to Adam. In chapter 15, he says, "Like Adam, I was apparently United by no link to any other being in existence… Many times I considered Satan as the fitter emblem of my condition, for often, like him, when I viewed the bliss of my protectors, the bitter gall of envy rose within me.” (Shelley 138). He often compares Victor, his creator, to God as well. This is an obvious allusion because Adam, like the monster to Frankenstein, was God's first creation. He was alone for a while until God created Eve, which the monster asks Frankenstein to do, but he ends up scrapping the idea. Also, the monster mentioned how he felt as though he could compare himself to Satan, which is another biblical allusion. He can, in fact, be compared to Satan, as he brings death and has a lust for murder, which are thoughts associated with evil.
ReplyDeleteI believe that the book from the Christian lens is all about man looking for more than God has given. As any other human the monster seeks to find what he doesn't have and other have. So the best way Christians do this is by going to their knees and praying for the solution and proposing to God that they'll be impecable Christians. Just like the monster does with his own "God" when he says "I will not be tempted to set myself in opposition to thee. I am thy creature, and I will be even mild and docile toy natural lord and king, if thou wilt also perform thy part, the which thou owest me" (Shelley 65). The monster here seeks that Victor gives him a privilege and that he "[tramples] upon [him]" (Shelley 65). God might answer his true followers but as in this case Victor's answer is "Begone! I will not here you" (Shelley 65). In this examples from the text the Christian way of seeking help from their father is framed in letters of a gothic novel.
ReplyDeleteMost religious people would be able to see the Christianity aspect of "Frankenstein". Victor created a new life as a mortal being, which should only be the work of God. By acting as a god since he was able to create life, Frankenstein is already breaking the first of the Ten Commandments: "Thou shalt have no other gods before me". Also, since Frankenstein is not an actual god, the God vs. Satan aspect kicks in. Frankenstein was able to give his creature life, but he was not able to give him a soul. The monster would refer to Frankenstein as his "creator", which would be God, and Frankenstein would commonly call his monster a demon or the devil, which would be Satan. The monster has no soul, so it would make sense that he is Satan. Also, Satan was originally born as a cherub, which are God's most angelic beings. The monster, too, also aspired to do good with his life since he was created a pure being as well. Also both beings were wise and righteous. However, Satan rebelled from God from his pride of being God's perfect angel and wanting to be the sole recipient of God's worship. Satan's greed is similar to the creature's outbreak, which came from the monster not getting his way with Frankenstein, who wouldn't make him a companion. Through these ways do the Christian allusions Mary Shelley wrote about peak through.
ReplyDeleteIn Mary Shelly's Frankenstein Christian allusions prove to be prominent. Victor, after carrying out his role in creating his own monster, views himself as a God for reanimating life. Later in the novel, the monster also describes how he is similar to Adam; being the only person( or in this case monster) in his existence. Mary Shelley also demonstrates to readers that only God's powers are to be used for good when she shows how Victor's creation, although built carefully and with much passion, was evil and destructive because it was made by another human and not God himself.
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