ipl-logo

Mary Shelley's Use Of Biblical Allusions In Frankenstein

1359 Words6 Pages

In many novels symbolism functions as a way to reveal much of what is intended for the reader to understand about characters and the work as a whole. Symbols can be ideas, objects, or actions that constitute multiple interpretations or meanings. This is also true for many older novels including Frankenstein. Throughout the gothic fiction novel Frankenstein by Mary Shelley, the use of symbolism and the role it partakes in the entirety of the story signifies its importance. There are many symbols throughout the novel some including light and fire, the creation story, and exploration. The function of these symbols in the story play a pivotal role in how the reader perceives the characters and also how the theme of knowledge influences the nature …show more content…

In Frankenstein, references to the bible are shown throughout and are very influential to the the deeper meaning of the story. "will I achieve; treading in the steps already marked, I will pioneer a new way, explore unknown powers, and unfold to the world the deepest mysteries of creation"(Shelley 33). Here Frankenstein decides to further his exploration into science surpassing that of which most of society considers natural. He will attempt to create and animate life from the dead which is unnatural and beyond what is capable for mankind to accomplish. His unwavering quest for knowledge and what lies beyond the natural world entices him. Him creating life from nothing symbolises and even characterizes him as a godly figure. Godly figure quote This is shown through his actions and also the way in which he wants to be seen by society. A person to be remembered and praised by his creations. The ties to the biblical creation story embed further into the work once the creatures story is introduced. The creature states that "I ought to be thy Adam; but I am rather the fallen angel." (Shelley 87) Just like Adam, the creature was created in his masters image. Adam from God and the Creature from the dark and ugly nature of man. The creature thus symbolises the horrid nature of man when brought to closer examination. Reiterating this the creature later exclaims to Frankenstein in a blind rage“accursed creator![...]God, in pity, made man beautiful and alluring, after his own image; but my form is a filthy type of yours, more horrid even from the very resemblance" (Shelley 118). Frankenstein is the Creatures maker and thus has a responsibility to acknowledge this fact. This scene symbolizes both the underlying theme of unnatural creation and what happens when man attempts to become God and seek for knowledge that was not meant for them to have.(need a 3rd

Show More
Related
236 Words | 1 Pages

In Frankenstein, Mary Shelley employs biblical allusions to demonstrate that only nature can achieve perfection. After contemplating his fate while listening to Safie, Felix, and Agatha, the monster realizes that “no Eve soothed [his] sorrows nor shared [his] thoughts” and that his Creator “had abandoned [him]” (Shelley 141). The monster desperately craves acceptance and companionship just like Adam had with Eve, but Frankenstein refuses to help, leaving the monster to suffer in his isolation without someone to “soothe his sorrows.” Shelley compares Frankenstein to God as a creator of life and reveals that Frankenstein pales in comparison to God, as he leaves his creation without anyone to help him live. Only God can imbue something with true

Read More
773 Words | 4 Pages

Frankenstein Lit Analysis Rough Draft Since the beginning of time, Man has always pursued knowledge, but this pursuit is always kept within certain boundaries, especially while searching for the truths behind the creation and origin of life. As this quest for knowledge continues, men can become consumed with the perilous thoughts and ponderings required to attain this wisdom. In her novel, Frankenstein, Mary Shelley explains how the pursuit of forbidden knowledge can become dangerous through symbolism, allusion, and foreshadowing proving each effectively to the reader. Employing symbolism as her first technique, Shelley uses this in the way many other enlightenment authors do. The strongest use of symbolism is prevalent while Victor is contemplating

Read More
828 Words | 4 Pages

Frankenstein even admit to his refusal of support simply because of the appearance the creature has. Not only is it Frankenstein’s fault that the creature has the appearance of a “monster”, he is also guilty of leaving the creature to its own devices without any guidance. Without the guidance of a creator, it is quite possible to end up misguided and

Read More
819 Words | 4 Pages

Humans are very complex beings; their motives and reasons for being are always different and sometimes difficult to understand. In the novel Frankenstein, by Mary Shelley, she depicts the monster created as a very curious and caring creature that soon discovers his inevitably lonely fate which, upon realization, turns him into a vengeful savage. Mary Shelley illuminates the idea that no one is entirely pure nor evil, but a complex mixture of both. In the beginning of the novel, Frankenstein creates his monster and abandoned it out of fear and disgust.

Read More
1203 Words | 5 Pages

Frankenstein as both a gothic and romantic novel is brimming with excessive loads of allusions that impacts the view of major characters in the novel, like The Creature and Victor Frankenstein. The novel is a gothic one as it deals with the theme of loneliness and frightening settings. It is also a romantic novel as the whole novel is generally based on the idea of nature. An allusion is an expression designed to call something to mind without acknowledging it explicitly. Frankenstein has various types of allusions; biblical allusions, historical allusions, poetic allusions and a lot more in the text.

Read More
271 Words | 2 Pages

In the novel Frankenstein, by Mary Shelley, Robert Walton is on a voyage to discover unexplored knowledge. While on this journey he finds Victor Frankenstein, who tells the reader of his own journey to discover the unknown. In this novel, Mary Shelley employs literary devices such as repetition, imagery, and rhetorical questions to provide meaning to the audience. For example, the author uses repetition to emphasize Elizabeth’s confidence. Expressing her frustration with the situation Elizabeth repeats, “But she was innocent.

Read More
550 Words | 3 Pages

The actions of an individual defines the boundary between sympathy and wickedness. Their behaviors and thoughts change the plot of the story and character identity. Mary Shelley uses moral ambiguity to overlook the unrealistic nature of her story. In Frankenstein, this concept incorporates itself into Mary Shelley’s characters. Ambiguity invokes an attachment between the figures and readers.

Read More
638 Words | 3 Pages

Mary Shelley, in her novel Frankenstein, alludes to the consequences of knowledge from Genesis to her novel Frankenstein. As Frankenstein’s creation gains knowledge, the monster begins to desire and sin, as did Adam and Eve with gaining knowledge from the serpent. The allusion is that knowledge will bring on desires and sins, which will lead to extreme banishment from one’s creator. Upon receiving knowledge from the serpent, Eve realized decides to eat from the tree of Good and Evil, which broke the first law God gave to humans.

Read More
819 Words | 4 Pages

Duality is shown in Mary Shelly’s Frankenstein, a gothic tale of a scientist whom looks to advance the life-giving qualities of mother nature. Through this novel, Shelley proves that good and evil in human nature is not always simple to define, and that everyone has both of these qualities within them. The duality of human nature is shown through the characters of Victor Frankenstein and his monster, who are both heroes in the novel while simultaneously displaying anti-hero qualities. Shelley forces the reader to sympathize with them both but also creates gruesome ideas of the two. Frankenstein’s creature places himself in a submissive position when he begs his creator to have mercy on him and asking the creator to “create a female for [him] with whom [he] can live in the interchange of those sympathies necessary for [his] being.”

Read More
1083 Words | 5 Pages

The classic novel Frankenstein, written by Mary Shelley in 1818, displays the use of literary devices, foreshadowing, allusions and figurative language, which aid the reader in understanding the authors opinion on scientific exploration. These techniques are used to arouse anticipation within the reader, therefore engaging them throughout the text. Along with providing a greater understanding of the novel, by referring to other books, and using the novel to portray the authors own perspective on scientific exploration. All these devices are effectively used within the novel to provide a deeper understandings of Mary Shelley’s work. Add scientific exploration here-

Read More
640 Words | 3 Pages

When one reads any book or magazine, one should always read from a Biblical standpoint. One should think through every sentence read to determine the writer’s worldview. However, in Mary Shelley’s book Frankenstein, the answer may be difficult to find. Readers should ask themselves, “Was Shelley presenting the Biblical worldview through her novel or was she expressing a different view of God, mankind, and nature?” If one reads using Christian worldview glasses, the answer to this question is a clear and resounding “no,” for Shelley’s ideas are different from the Bible’s.

Read More
782 Words | 4 Pages

In the novel Frankenstein,by Mary Shelley, the mysterious and unnatural origins of the character of Frankenstein’s monster are an important element. The Monster, having been created unethically and haphazardly, is at odds throughout the novel, resulting in his alienation from society and prolonged feelings of anger, desertion, and loneliness. Shaping his character, his relationships with other characters, and the meaning of the work as a whole, the Monster’s origins are what define him. The Monster faces rejection and violence every time he attempts to make contact with the new, foreign world he has been thrust into.

Read More
679 Words | 3 Pages

Firstly, he was created form a man. Some people believe that human should be built by God. He

Read More
1113 Words | 5 Pages

Through this Shelley is demonstrating that humans may never have the capability to fully understand the things they create through scientific endeavours, therefore reinforcing her concept that too much knowledge can only lead to downfall. Frankenstein had a wonderful life and in creating then abandoning his monster he destroyed that. The bitter link is the fact that Frankenstein, in leaving his monster, in making his creation go into the world alone, sealed his fate to die alone on the sea, the majority of his loved ones dead at his

Read More
656 Words | 3 Pages

Frankenstein by Mary Shelley is a gothic novel that tells the story of scientist, Victor Frankenstein, and his obsession with creating human life. This leads him to creating a gruesome monster made of body-parts stolen from grave yards, whom upon discovering his hideousness, the monster seeks revenge against his creator, causing Victor to regret the creation of his monster for the rest of his life. Shelley uses the literary elements of personification, imagery, and similes to give a vivid sense and visualization of Victor Frankenstein’s thoughts and feelings as well as to allow us to delve deeper into the monster’s actions and emotions. Throughout the novel, Shelley uses personification of various forces and objects to reflect the effect in Victor’s actions.

Read More

More about Mary Shelley's Use Of Biblical Allusions In Frankenstein

Related Topics

Open Document