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“Frankenstein” by Mary Shelley

Frankenstein may be downloaded for free from our ebook catalog.

Mary Shelley was so far ahead of her time that another notable science fiction book by a woman would not appear for another 128 years.

As a nuts-and-bolts Science Fiction fan, I avoided reading Frankenstein because the name had been caught up in endless cliches and had been inextricably linked with the horror genre, which I considered a repository for bad Science Fiction. When tasked with finding a book by a female author published before 1923, however, I selected the only book I could find that was remotely linked to my favorite genre. Now I have to admit that I am sorry I waited so long.

Frankenstein may be a little soft on science (even to the point of calling science “natural philosophy”) and it is admittedly more about psychology, a soft science rather than the hard science that I prefer to read about, but it is nonetheless a fascinating study, encompassing such concepts as obsession, cowardice, irresponsibility, and retribution.

Ms. Shelley brilliantly captures the enthusiasm with which young persons embrace new endeavors, sometimes oblivious to the consequences that might ensue. She presents an allegory that questions the principle that what is good must also be beautiful. At the same time she creates a vivid picture of the pain of maturing and coming to terms with one’s past actions.

Victor Frankenstein creates a unique approach to the philosophy that you make your own heaven and hell. He shows us that you mould that heaven / hell to your own worldvision. Frankenstein created a huge but hardy creature. Upon giving it the breath of life, he determined this creature to be too horrible to accept. Rather than deal with the creature, Victor fled, leaving his hideous creation to fend for himself. His unwillingness to either accept the creature or comply with his requests prompted the abandoned creature to turn to vengeance and violence. I am thankful that Victor Frankenstein left no offspring, as perhaps they, too, would fail to meet his standards.

Frankenstein is not only an interesing window into the mind of a genius; it is also a vivid depiction of the social mores of the early nineteenth century, and how much society at large has changed in the past two centuries. I would hope that current society would overcome its revulsion to the creature’s ugliness in favor of his eagerness to please and desire for acceptance. Might today’s Victor Frankenstien see the “monster’s” potential as, say, a linebacker for the Patriots?