Frankenstein

Myth of Prometheus

The Myth of Prometheus- Greek Titan who created the first man out of clay and stole fire from the gods to help mankind. Due to this, he was punished by Zeus and was strapped to a rock and an eagle would eat his liver and it would grow back only so that he can be tormented

What's the Relation?

• Victor and Prometheus have this enthusiasm and desire to make life
• Both characters experience torment in one way or another due to creation of life- Victor faces emotional pain caused by the monster while, Prometheus faces physical pain because he tried to help mankind
• Mary Shelley creates this allusion to make parallel connection between life of Victor and Prometheus to help the reader better understand

Paradise Lost

Paradise Lost

• The monster is able to connect himself to Adam because Adam was in the same situation like him
• Adam and the monster were alone in a unknown world, banished from a place of love and joy by their creators and while Adam recieved Eve, the monster was insisting he too should have a mate but fails
• Victor also connects to the book especially to God because he tries to be "God" by creating artificial life

Mary Shelley included this allusion because from this, the monster was able to know that there was a person who was like him, also by using this allusion, the monster is able to support the fact that it wanted a mate just like Adam did. This makes the reader feel sympathy towards the monster and all the hardships it's going through.

Motifs

Isolation and Lonliness

• Walton had no friends and was lonely, he had no one to share the joy and happiness of his expeditions
• Victor felt alone after he left to college and he says on pg 30 “I who had ever been surrounded by amiable companions continually engaged in endeavoring to bestow mutual pleasure, I was now alone."" He became isolated by the very creature he made because it killed many of his "amiable companions"
• The monster was born into isolation and lonliness unlike the others. He was put in that situation because of the way he appeared

Thirst for Knowledge

• Walton put him and his crew in danger by trying to reach the the North Pole first
• Victor's curiosity for seeking new knowledge put him and his loved ones in great danger
• The monster also seeks knowledge in hopes that he can be more of a human and plead with Victor but this failed and caused him to be violent and to have revenge on Frankenstein

symbols

the monster

• The monster symbolizes failure and regret for Victor. The outcome was not what Victor expected and regretted ever making the creature
• It also symbolizes human nature because at first it was a benevolent, kind creature but the way society treated it, made it violent

These motifs and symbols help emphasize on the overall theme of the story and they set a certain mood for the reader. They help reader better understand the piece of literature!

In conclusion, Frankenstein is a story filled with important allusions, references, symbols and motifs. These literary devices help make the story a better experience for the reader!