Free Will In Frankenstein Research Paper

1310 Words6 Pages

Have you ever wondered if Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein was more complex than a monster rejected by society seeking revenge? In Frankenstein, Mary Shelley both illuminates the pervasive prejudices of the Romantic era to advocate for societal reform and parallels Christianity's concept of free will through Victor Frankenstein's creation, the subsequent abandonment of his creature, and emphasizes the moral responsibilities inherent in sovereignty. Additionally, Mary Shelley skillfully critiques the prejudices rampant in the Romantic era, such as racism and slavery, while also analyzing the Christian concept of free will through Victor Frankenstein’s creation. Moreover, considering Mary Shelley's staunch anti-slavery stance, evident through actions …show more content…

The Romantic era’s literature often reflected these disparities, with authors like Mary Shelley critiquing the mistreatment and neglect of the less fortunate through powerful narratives like Frankenstein. Additionally, Mary Shelley draws a profound parallel between the creature's abandonment by his creator, Victor Frankenstein, and the Christian notion of free will. After being given life by Frankenstein's act of creation, the creature finds himself cast into the world without guidance or moral instruction from his maker. This abandonment mirrors the Christian belief that God, having created humanity, presents upon them the gift of free will, allowing them to navigate the complexities of existence through their own volition. Essentially, Mary Shelley adroitly intertwines the rampant prejudices faced by women through her characterizations as society’s failure of moral responsibility inherent with power and echoes Christianity’s free will moral implications to explore the ethical obligations of God-like authority through Victor’s creation. Further, “In America, Romanticism sustained the idea that a woman’s place was in the