Comparing Frankenstein And Frankenstein

Similarly to Ambrosio, Frankenstein in Shelley’s text chooses to isolate himself to utilise dangerous knowledge that will create destruction. Though it is not being dealt with in this thesis, Stevenson’s The Curious Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde demonstrates similarities with Frankenstein. Jekyll is a scientist that utilises his dangerous knowledge to transform him-self into the monstrous, but also misunderstood Hyde, his duality. As the text progresses, Jekyll’s body craves to transform into the ‘Other’. Similarly, Frankenstein craves to create new life, an ‘Other’. As a result, as this is not normal for an individual to feel the need to do, Frankenstein is seen as ‘Other’. According to Jerrold E. Hogle in the Structuralist Review 2 Frankenstein

This is clearly evident in Lewis, Shelley and Stoker’s texts as the monsters of Ambrosio, Dracula, Frankenstein as well as Frankenstein’s creature all lose out on what is considered a normal existence. It is clear from all three texts that each monstrous figure had a troubled upbringing that further ignites their monstrous qualities and the destruction of their identities. This idea parallels to what was previously discussed about ‘Otherness’ as each figure does not fit into society and its social norms. Therefore, they have chosen the path of ‘Otherness’. Furthermore, their destructive identities cause destruction for others in society. As a result, they rebel against the fundamentalism of that society. This in turn causes their destruction as society and fundamentalism cannot handle the destruction of the monster. This perverse or supernatural body of destruction awakens horror, terror and anxiety in not only the characters, but also readers. This is so as the monster metaphorically represented an issue within real life society. Therefore, the monsters in Gothic texts made the reader and wider society question their own identities as well as their stance in societal issues. For example, Lewis’ The Monk speaks of the perversity of the church as well as issues of anti-Catholicism. Shelley’s Frankenstein discusses issues of science and religion in relation to creation and birth. It also deals with women and birth or pro-creation. Stoker’s Dracula discusses the issue of colonialism, the advancement of technologies, the New Woman idea as well as women and