I admit, my only introductions to anything relating to Frankenstein have been crudely crafted Halloween masks, and Gene Wilder’s hilarity in Young Frankenstein; so I think it is safe to say that I came into this novel not quite knowing what to expect. While I knew there was a monster being created, and a mad scientist, and some horrible aftermath, I wasn’t exactly sure of any morals or social commentary Mary Shelley intended to create whilst authoring this book.
I absolutely love the way she introduced our main character on the frozen lakes near the north pole. Immediately the tone of the book is set up in a mysterious manner, and a slew of questions are brought to light. Who is this man? Why would a man be chasing someone across the frozen ice flats by dog sled? And while we soon find out this stranger is our main character, we still have little insight into his history and story. I will say, however, that the way Victor speaks about this past with Robert Walton clearly foreshadows the events which the reader witnesses further along. For better or worse, this seems to be a story that you can guess what is going to happen before it is even made certain (see: the monster killing William — the moment Shelley mentioned this, the first thing that went through my mind was “the monster did it.”)
While the introduction is entertaining, the meat of the story which follows proves to be quite curious, and it is in these pages that a clear theme regarding the potential for knowledge to be abused seems to emerge. Alongside this, I can see a fabrication of a social commentary on the value and responsibilities associated with scientific and/or religious pursuits starting to form; although it is too early to make an claims about Shelley’s intentions quite yet. I want to take in the whole story before I start drawing conclusions about the lessons contained within these pages.
Favorite Quote:
“Dear mountains! my own beautiful lake! how do you welcome your wanderer? Your summits are clear; the sky and lake are blue and palcid. Is this to prognosticate peace, or to mock at my unhappiness”
Biggest Letdown:
Nowhere within this text do the words “IT’S ALIVE!!” transpire.
