Difference Between The Prodigal Son In Frankenstein

Frankenstein’s creature can be compared to the parable of the prodigal’s son found in Luke’s gospel of the bible. The prodigal’s son was a young man who was very immature in his ways. All he cared about was living fancily and lavishly. He asked his father for his inheritance and was granted his wish. After receiving the funds, he leaves his home and spends all of his money on foolishness. He finds himself at his lowest point in an unknown land, once his funds have run out completely and his rich friends have disappeared. The prodigal’s son reaches rock bottom when he has to become a herder for pigs. Terry Thompson says, “Because swine are, according to Old Testament Jewish law, unclean and therefore unholy in the eyes of God, the prodigal son has not simply

Both were far away from their homes. And both were helpless. For moral and religious purposes, neither Frankenstein’s creature nor the prodigal’s son eat the pigs. The difference between the two characters comes when they each try to return home. When the son comes home, he is graciously greeted by his father. His father gives him a robe, ring, and shoes. They celebrate. On the other hand, Victor Frankenstein rejects his creature once again when he tries to come home. Terry Thompson comments, “Victor offers hatred in place of affection, violence rather than acceptance, and vengeance instead of understanding” (Thompson 192). Frankenstein’ creature had it bad. Whether intentional or unintentional, Mary Shelley uses parallels and allusions in her novel Frankenstein. She oftentimes uses the events and words of different characters in the story to relate them to Christianity and the bible. Most of these parallels and allusions carry a negative tone, while few do not. Readers must pay close attention to every detail in Frankenstein to fully comprehend and grasp the ideas that Shelley alludes