Frankenstein1

A detailed Summary of Frankenstein1

Mary Shelley's Frankenstein has been hailed as one of the best horror stories ever. The title, Frankenstein, is the last name of the creator of the infamous Frankenstein's monster, Dr. Victor Frankenstein. His is a story of the great pain suffered by Frankenstein and his monster and people's misunderstanding of the poor creature. All his efforts to find a companion are useless, as society shuns him for his horrid figure.

Although the story is told by Dr. Frankenstein through Robert Walton, an arctic explorer, the antagonist seems to be his monster. Despite his gruesome appearance, this being composed of various cadaver parts starts out as a compassionate creature longing for companionship and curious of how he came to be. He desperately tries to befriend members of society, but utterly fails at each attempt. His appearance earns him no sympathy, but loathing from his creator and townspeople alike. For example, after secretly living with a poor family for more than a year, he decides to approach the father, a blind old man. The creature reasons that since the old man cannot see him, he will not be repulsed by the monster's form, thus providing companionship for the creature. As the two talk, the old man responds to the plight

The story actually begins with Robert Walton, whose ship finds a man near death in the arctic regions. He is taken aboard and nursed back to health. Upon recovery, he tells his story to Walton.

You are in the wrong, and instead of threatening, I am content to reason with you. I am malicious because I am miserable. Am I not shunned and hated by all mankind? You, my creator, would tear me to pieces and triumph... Shall I respect man when he condemns me? ...What I ask of you is reasonable and moderate; I demand another creature of another sex, but as hideous as myself... it shall content me. It is true, we shall be monsters cut off from all the world; but on that account we shall be more attached to one another. Our lives will not be happy, but they will be harmless... Oh! My creator, make me happy... Let me see that I excite the sympathy of some existing thing; do not deny me my request! (182-184)

Mourning two deaths, Frankenstein ventured alone into the mountains and was confronted by the monster. It told him how it survived for the previous two years, living in a deserted shack of a poor family. In his hovel, he observed the family through a crack in the wall. By doing so, he was able to learn to speak, read, and write. After this, he found Victor's journal and learned of his origin. He decided to search for his creator in order to ask for a companion, one who would not reject him. He promised he and his mate would leave all civilization alone, never to be seen again. Victor reluctantly agreed and began work.

Mary Shelley wrote Frankenstein in an interesting way. The monster's story is told through Frankenstein's story, which is told through Walton's journal. Shelley herself was able to express the despair felt by the monster and the grief and shock felt by Frankenstein. Emotions were a big element of this story. This has also been referred to as a great gothic story. By gothic, one means that the author emphasizes the grotesque (such as the monster), the mysterious (for instance, how the monster was actually created or how it followed Frankenstein), the desolate environment (as in the story's beginni

Some common words found in the essay are:
Victor Frankenstein, Robert Walton, Dr Frankenstein, Nevertheless Frankenstein, Frankenstein Emotions, Mary Shelley, Shelley's Frankenstein, story told, poor family, robert walton, victor frankenstein, wedding night, dr frankenstein,

Approximate Word count = 1430
Approximate Pages = 6 (250 words per page double spaced)

Category: Novels