ipl-logo

Frankenstein Vs. The Post-Modern Prometheus

1357 Words6 Pages
bulb-icon

Recommended: Literary analysis essay of frankenstein by mary shelley

Frankenstein vs. “The Post-Modern Prometheus” In the realm of literature, Mary Shelley’s novel Frankenstein stands out as a timeless classic known for its exploration of themes that remain relevant in modern times. Correspondingly, the TV show The X-Files has enchanted audiences with its paranormal investigations and journeys into the unknown for decades. In the episode “The Post-Modern Prometheus,” The X-Files’ director, Chris Carter, delivers a tribute to Frankenstein and its themes of the pursuit of knowledge’s consequences, fate versus free will, and the results of isolation and alienation. These three central themes are coequally developed, providing an opportunity to examine their standing in both the novel and the episode. From the …show more content…

In Mary Shelley’s novel, Victor Frankenstein firmly believes in the deterministic nature of his fate, feeling powerless against the consequences of his creation. In conversation with Captain Walton, Victor appreciates Walton’s sympathy toward his situation but considers it futile. He believes his fate is nearing completion via his attained destiny of creating the monster (Shelley). Ostensibly, Victor attributes his actions to fate rather than accepting personal accountability. However, he may genuinely harbor the belief that his creation of the monster was foreordained. Moreover, the recurring hardships experienced by various characters in Frankenstein serve as adverse outcomes that arise from Victor’s staunch belief in fate. Remaining steadfast in trusting predestination, Victor experiences significant repercussions following various events, including the anguish inflicted upon Elizabeth, the execution of Justine, the tragic demise of William, and his own deteriorating health (Shelley). These privations illustrate the theme of fate versus free will by highlighting the destructive impact of Victor’s adherence to a preordained path. Consequently, he cannot exercise any form of action in altering the course of events. Contradictorily, unlike Victor’s firm loyalty to fate in Shelley’s novel, the character of Mutato in “The Post-Modern Prometheus” demonstrates the use of free will through his actions and principles. Chatting with Agent Fox Mulder, Mutato exclaims how, despite his appearance that humans view quite horribly, he has never harmed anyone (Carter). Mutato’s statement emphasizes the disparity between appearance and actions, showcasing his innocence despite being ostracized by society. This contrasts with the monster in Shelley’s novel, who, when rejected and cast out by his creator, eventually

Show More
Related
1348 Words | 6 Pages

Frankenstein, Or, the Modern Prometheus: The 1818 Text. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1994. Print.   Konnor Fenwick Immoral Justice Period 3 English 12 Honors The justice system presented in

Read More
1004 Words | 5 Pages

From the

Read More
1728 Words | 7 Pages

From the

Read More
805 Words | 4 Pages

In the modern world, when a person hears about Frankenstein, they think of an abhorrent and detestable monster, but that is not the case. In the book, “Frankenstein”, by Mary Shelley, Frankenstein is a scientist that pursues his dream of reviving a human. Victor Frankenstein, the protagonist, conducts a series of experiments and creates a monster. Abhorred by his creation, he leaves the monster. Through desolation and isolation, the monster is driven by society and Frankenstein to commit crimes.

Read More
965 Words | 4 Pages

Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein openly propounds the co-existence of good and evil that yields to inexorable carnage and unrelenting revenge. A maniacal devotion to reason makes Victor the true antagonist of the novel and therefore the real villain in Frankenstein. Victor’s ability to create a life out of lifeless matter unbounded the pious, circumscribed view of God as the creator. Nevertheless, this infringement of propriety leads Victor down a path of revenge, which ultimately sets forth his destruction. Lastly, Victor and the monster are two aspects of the same person.

Read More
1187 Words | 5 Pages

However, instead of rising to the occasion, his only response was to cower before his creation. Frankenstein says, “For this, I had deprived myself of rest and health. I had desired it with an ardor that far exceeded moderation; but now that I had finished, the beauty of the dream vanished, and breathless horror and disgust filled my heart (Chapter 5).” Victor made a monster without thinking about its consequences because he was motivated by achieving glory. Unfortunately, his choice caused him and his family a lot of trouble.

Read More
1037 Words | 5 Pages

Throughout ‘Frankenstein’, we discover that Shelley presents Victors responsibility as flawed, We see him as childish and unable to accept his failures and mistakes. Rarley does he accept the “demonical corpse” who is “more hideous than belongs to humanity”, as his creation. Rather than dealing with the conequences and raising the monster, as his father and god. He abanondens it into society. We Can look back into Victors childhood to see where he gained his original morals, and where the drive for the creation of the monster was.

Read More
1266 Words | 6 Pages

Frankenstein by Mary Shelley is a thematically engrossing novel that follows the treacherous narrative of protagonist Victor Frankenstein as he submits himself entirely to passion and the fervent desire to acquire natural knowledge and the resulting consequences that follow. The outcome of his ardent frenzy of discovery is a monstrous creation that he instantly regrets creating upon first sight. Throughout the Frankenstein novel, Victor and the monster engage in an everlasting mutual war that sets them at ends with each other through their personal pinings for the things that set them apart. It can be proven that throughout the novel the two protagonists come off as both intriguingly similar upon in-depth analysis and strikingly different on

Read More
497 Words | 2 Pages

Kelly We arrived at some trees and found something that could help out until we get out of here, three trailers and a porch that had been covered. Gina broke inside one after another surprised but disappointed she knew how but that was not the point inside was old oatmeal jerky that had turned white and beans, that smelled like a racoon cage we can last on this for a few weeks but that doesn’t mean we stop looking for help understand girls, cause if we don 't get out of here there is not a good chance of living. They soon began to realize it and teared up with fear We found two matresses musty and soft, from off of the porch. It was a hard night i couldn 't sleep in the heat.

Read More
743 Words | 3 Pages

Throughout Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein, a great comparison is shown between Victor Frankenstein, the main character, and Prometheus, one of Greek mythology’s greatest Gods. Shelley borrows from the tale of Prometheus a consequence resulting from searching for a great source of enlightenment and power. In creating a being and giving it life, Frankenstein seems to take on the remarkable role of God which leads him to thinking that a power that is so heavenly cannot be played with by mankind. During his quest to expand his creative knowledge, abilities, drive, and ambition to know the origin of life, he puts himself in conflict. Frankenstein gambled his way into the godly realm without realizing he committed a sin by creating the monster, and

Read More
1100 Words | 5 Pages

A timeless human goal has always been to set visionary goals to advance the coming generations. Although many results can be successful, a great number of them can turn out deadly. In the novel, Frankenstein, Mary Shelley illustrates the result of a man’s visionary motive of creating life, which consequents into the birth of the deadly creature. The creatures understanding of justice is based on eliminating anyone or anything preventing him from reaching his goal; accordingly, his actions to attempt revenge upon Victor only led to his downfall throughout the novel. The creature’s understanding of justice and it’s revenge against Victor is the driving force of the story because it builds up the anticipation the reader has for the final confrontation.

Read More
548 Words | 3 Pages

Victor Frankenstein, through his actions, changed his destiny; sadly, his deeds led to the negative effects destiny had prepared for him. He failed to recognize the “hidden power” destiny holds when he sought to make nature accommodate to his superfluous creation. By disregarding the effects of providing life to a lifeless creature, fate, in the end formed a path of suffrage, and took those most dear to him. Unfortunately, Frankenstein’s recognition of destiny’s power was discovered to late and along with those whom he loved, his happiness and peace were also taken

Read More
1921 Words | 8 Pages

The fictional horror novel of Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein is driven by the accentuation of humanity’s flaws. Even at the very mention of her work an archetypal monster fills one’s imagination, coupled with visions of a crazed scientist to boot. Opening her novel with Robert Walton, the conduit of the story, he also serves as a character to parallel the protagonist’s in many ways. As the ‘protagonist’ of the story, Victor Frankenstein, takes on the mantle of the deluded scientist, his nameless creation becomes the embodiment of a truly abandoned child – one left to fend for itself against the harsh reality posed by society. On the other hand, Walton also serves as a foil to Victor – he is not compulsive enough to risk what would be almost

Read More
783 Words | 4 Pages

“Whenever the creation order is inverted, there is disorder, destruction, and death. When we tamper with this order, even a little, we become life-takers rather than life-givers”(J. Ligon Duncan III ). This quote plays a large part in the overall literature that is Frankenstein; it pulls together the attributes of the story in a way I haven’t seen before. This essay will be focusing on the relationship between the gothic novel of Frankenstein, and the greek myth of Prometheus. It will be a compare and contrast of the dueling stories.

Read More
722 Words | 3 Pages

Mary Shelley's Frankenstein depicts the remarkable resemblance to the “modern” myth of Prometheus. The intertextuality used to connect these two stories, allow Shelley to bring out the most prominent themes of Power and suffering. As both of the characters deal differently with the struggle to resist the power that comes with creating life, the inevitable end for both characters are the same; they fall at the hands of their own creations. Shelley carefully utilizes the legend of Prometheus to express the connection between punishment and creation.

Read More

More about Frankenstein Vs. The Post-Modern Prometheus

Related Topics

Open Document