The Literature Network
Authors: 260
Books: 2,874
Poems & Short Stories: 3,828
Forum Members: 52,569
Forum Posts: 606,270
Subscribe for ad free access & additional features.
Teacher Accounts with student management and more.
Teacher Accounts with student management and more.
Frankenstein
Frankenstein is a student of natural philosophy in Geneva. He builds a creature in the semblance of a man and gives it life. The creature is repeatedly rejected by those who see it, but the monster proves intelligent, and later highly articulate. Receiving no love, it becomes embittered. Frankenstein deserts his creation but then agrees to make a mate for the monster. A wave of remorse makes him destroy the female. The lone creature swears revenge. He kills Frankenstein's bride on their wedding night.
The scientist becomes mad, but recovers and chases the creature across the world. The two confront in the Arctic wastes. Frankenstein dies and the creature disappears in the wilderness mourning the loss of the man who gave him life. - The novel contains no supernatural elements; the creation of the monster is described in the third edition on a rational scientific basis. The work epitomizes the scientist who experiments fist and thinks about the consequences later.
Fan of this book? Help us introduce it to others by writing a better introduction for it. It's quick and easy, click here.
Quizzes on Frankenstein
Please submit a quiz here.
Recent Forum Posts on Frankenstein
Post a New Comment/Question on Frankenstein
Shakespeare wrote over 150 sonnets!
Join our Sonnet-A-Day Newsletter and read them all, one at a time. As Seen In: USA Today "Hot Sites"
Join our Sonnet-A-Day Newsletter and read them all, one at a time. As Seen In: USA Today "Hot Sites"
Frankenstein
I just read Frankenstein, a story I have always wanted to read. It was very interesting, mostly because how very different it is from all the movie adaptations. Sure, I expected some differences, but it seems the only ideas the movies have taken from the book are someone creating a living person from non-living materials, and the similarities end there. Spoilers ahead. The biggest difference that struck me was how intelligent The Creature was. In all the movies (the ones I've seen, anyways), he is too stupid to even talk. In the book, though, he has an elaborate speech discussing himself and the nature of humanity, and how he will never fit in. I was also surprised at how early on he creates the monster, and from there the monster is his tormentor. In the movies, he was never really portrayed as a bad guy, just confused, and we even sympathize with him. Now, I did in the novel, especially when he discussed his rejection by the family he watched, but the sympathy dissipated when he went on his killing spree. The character of Frankenstein was an odd one, and I had mixed feelings about him. He seemed very selfish. I couldn't help but note the many times he complained of how much more miserable he was than everyone else. This got a little old. This book was nothing like I suspected. No town that revolted against Frankenstein. No tragic death of The Creature. No Igor. No exultations of, "It's alive! It's alive!" The Creature wasn't even afraid of fire. He actually liked it! I wonder why there hasn't been an adaptation that follows the book. I think it would make a good miniseries.
Posted By Mutatis-Mutandi at Thu 8 Jan 2009, 9:00 AM in Frankenstein || 8 Replies
Can Frankenstein Smell?
Does Frankenstein have the sense of smell and taste?
Posted By inquisitor at Mon 29 Sep 2008, 6:03 PM in Frankenstein || 10 Replies
Frankenstein--Mary Shelley
ok so i have a essay on the novel due tomorrow..and i need a bit of assistance with the following question: 1.Who is the real Monster in the novel?? or are both Monsters?? oh yea here's an opiniated question: ♠What is your definition of a monster?
Posted By TiGGeR LoVeR at Tue 16 Sep 2008, 5:44 PM in Frankenstein || 1 Reply
frankenstein poem
hey all! so, i've got to find a poem that has a connecting theme with the book frankenstein for an english project. i was simply wondering if anyone could help, im open to all suggestions. the poem has to have been written in the 17th century or earlier. it can be any poem, by any author, as long as it some how connects to frankenstein. i could really use some help. thankies!
Posted By Wallnutters at Tue 11 Dec 2007, 5:26 PM in Frankenstein || 1 Reply
POint Of VIew- Frankenstein
I haveto write a 4-5 page essay on the The different point of views of Frankenstein and why they are important! PLease can somene please help me.. Im beggin! please! I have to get this paper done today! PLEASE! Question? Why are there different point of ciews in the novel? Why are those point of Views impoortant?
Posted By harvardgirl at Tue 27 Nov 2007, 6:24 PM in Frankenstein || 1 Reply
Frankenstein essay - please help!
I have to write a 1,500 essay on Frankenstein which discusses the significance of father-figures within it. Ok, I have written 1000 words and I think I am doing pretty well. However, it also asks me in the notes to discuss the use of realist and non-realist conventions. I'm not too sure what this means or how to link this in? I know that Frankenstein is obviously non-realist as it is not beleivable that anyone can give life to dead matter but how can I link this into my 'father-figure' essay?? Can anyone help me please and get me on the right track? Much appreciated, Kelly
Posted By kellyb at Fri 2 Nov 2007, 9:45 AM in Frankenstein || 4 Replies
use of realism? help!!
This is my first posting, so hello! I need some guidance - I have an essay to write on the use of realism in relation to the roles of the father-figures of Frankenstein. I'm at a bit if a loss; I can discuss the significance of the father-figures, of Alphonse/Victor, and Victor/his monster with little problem, but I don't know how to discuss the realism element. Any ideas out there? This was the first time I read the novel and I must say, I loved it. It's also the first essay I've had to write for 10 years and I'm struggling! Any advice or guidance would really help me get started. Thanks!
Posted By twinkie at Mon 22 Oct 2007, 10:31 PM in Frankenstein || 1 Reply
Women in Frankenstein
I have recently finished reading Frankenstein and I like it! I have to write a paper about the book, discussing a topic and I've chosen "Gender or women in Frankenstein" but I don't really have much ideas about it. Do you think that Frankenstein would be a feminist book? What are the roles of women in Frankestein? Why do you think that the Creature want a female partner? I'll be very happy if anyone can help me! :D I thought to compare this topic in Frankenstein and in Pride and Prejudice but I'm not sure. What do you think? Maybe I should talk about this topic only in Frankenstein. I don't know how to focus that topic on the paper and I don't find many books! :sick:
Posted By Mrs. Dalloway at Fri 6 Apr 2007, 4:47 PM in Frankenstein || 5 Replies
Birth Motif--Labor
In class we had come across the discussion of the similarities between a Pregnant mother going through labor vs. Dr. Frankenstien going through Labor in creating the monster. Why did the author just say "tedious work"..why use the word labor? Was this done on purpose? In my opinion, it was, and she was comparing the creation of Frankenstein to the creation of a child. We had some disagreements in class about this topic. What would be another reason for her to use this word, is it just a coincidence?
Posted By vsriniv7 at Sun 25 Feb 2007, 2:30 PM in Frankenstein || 0 Replies
Frankenstein
In class, we talked about the birth motif and about if there was any similiarities between Frankenstein & the monster. If Victor technically gave "birth" to the monster, shouldn't the monster have some of Victor's qualities? Victor had spent two years trying to create the monster to only disabandon it and have it kill the ones he loved. But Frankenstein and the monster shows a connection through the monster's actions. The monster killed Justine & William, two people whom Victor loved very much. What are the chances that the monster knew who Victor's family was? On page 64, Victor says, "... my own spirit let loose from the grave and forced to destroy all that was dear to me." This shows that Victor believes that the monster is the evil side of him. This goes back to the idea that Victor and the monster may be foils/duals.(just like Jeckly and Hyde) So there may be more connections between the monster and Victor than it looks like... Because of course, they do not share any similiar physical qualities, but we should look more deeper.
Posted By skwon789 at Thu 22 Feb 2007, 3:31 PM in Frankenstein || 3 Replies