Of Monsters and Women

Oh, I’m so ecstatic to delve into the mastermind behind the worlds first science fiction thriller, and legendary monster icon, Frankenstein. Not only was Frankenstein written by a woman, but it was written around the severity and importance of mental health. In fact, I think the entire essence of the gothic novel is based solely on mental health. Mary Shelley creates the monster a yearning, and melancholic character. If you haven’t read Frankenstein it is a freaking phenomenal piece of literature.

When we think of Frankenstein we immediately think big green legendary Halloween figure with a square head and bolts in his neck. Or Hollywoods various spin on the version of this megastar freak. We know the story, a scientist ( known as Victor Frankenstein) creates a monster by bringing the dead back to life with the use of electricity. We’ve seen it rave across the span of history.

The film that mirrored the book identically would be the 1994 version with Robert Deniro as the creature.

Or my personal favorite, and legend, Gene Wilder’s “Young Frankenstein.”

We most certainly can’t leave out my beloved, Herman Munster.

Just to name a few,

My hand is raised for being a Franken-fanatic since my early teens. I think my romance for stitched-up men started with Jack Skellington to be honest, and I was one bad decision away from getting a mural of Frankensteins monster tatted on my forearm.

Anywho, I put emphasis on all of the above so I can begin to break down the wisdom, psychology and life lessons behind the real writing of Frankenstein.

Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley wrote Frankenstein; or The Modern Prometheus in the early 1800’s.

If you can import yourself back to the era of zero electricity and transportation, then you would know how the simple act of writing ruled the world in this age. It was the thing to do. Letters were how all communication got around. What we would call the ‘basics of life’ were actually memoirs for them. Romance, often through the writing of letters, was a first love language. Writing was the iPad of this generation.

The inspiration behind the masterpiece was resuscitated by real experiments that she had witnessed first hand. Mary Shelley’s mother, Mary Wollstonecraft died from infection a few days after giving birth to her.

At the age of 19, tragedy created the monster in Shelly with abandonment inflicted by the deception of her husband, Percy Shelley and the trauma of the loss of her own child (and later 3 out of four!). Death became a very intimate and daunting companion for Shelley.

Shelley’s fabrication of the character Victor Frankenstein originated from a friend of her father, and chemist who practiced to prove Galvanism, also known as “animal electricity.”

He was a famous nobleman bringing in hundreds of people who would cram into small venues to see his live performances, testing the experimental practices of whether he could bring the dead to life. This intrigued Shelley’s storyline.

[In 1781, the first experiment was practiced on a frog. The static machinery would connect to the frog, which twitched, thus creating the theory of Galvani.]

During a storm and lack of necessity to go anyplace, Mary took part in a writing challenge to write a ghost story, between herself, her husband Percy Shelly, her step-sister, Lord Byron, and John Polidori and boy, did she.

In her heavy-laden, depressed state, Mary went on to write her opening line.

“It was on a dreary night of November that I beheld the accomplishment of my toils….”

The gothic novel on death and intense romance, followed after with the fall of humanity, abandonment and pride.

Victor Frankenstein falls madly inlove with Elisabeth Lavenza from childhood. As they grow up together, Victor feeds his obsession with science and specifically the ideology of resurrecting the dead. Victor wanted to prove any new science theory. Discovery was all that men dreamed of in this era, as not even the lightbulb had come to revelation yet.

Victors work becomes his center focus forgetting about Elizabeth and all that he’s ever loved, neglecting even himself.

When Victor takes what he’s learned and creates the monster, he quickly realizes what he’s done.

And from here, is where the psyche of the novel begins.

The terrifying monster and Frankenstein become adversaries. Dr.Frankenstein abandoned the hideous monster and the monster questions his creator.

"The fallen angel becomes a malignant devil. Yet even that enemy of God and man had friends and associates in his desolation; I am alone."

The story puts emphasis on how there’s no limit to how far man can truly go when it comes to power, even unto dangerous limits- the abomination of playing God and the consequences of pride.

It is vital to always mention that in these days women couldn’t have credibility for their writing, so in doing so, her husband had to publish her works in his name, shamefully, taking all the credit. Eventually, he confessed and this just unmasks Mary Shelley to be a heroine of her time, that still travels today.

The book ends on a very dominant and tragic scene of all time.

The monster commits suicide to free himself from the pain of loneliness.

“He was soon borne away by the waves, and lost in darkness and distance".

Throughout the novel the books foundation moves and flows with wisdom and empowering quotes in regards to human nature.

Below are some of the most influential moments mentioned.

"Sorrow only increased with knowledge. Oh, that I had forever remained in my native wood, nor known or felt beyond the sensations of hunger, thirst, and heat”

“Life, although it may only be an accumulation of anguish, is dear to me, and I will defend it."

"Sometimes I wished to express my sensations in my own mode, but the uncouth and inarticulate sounds which broke from me frightened me into silence again.”

"Beware; for I am fearless, and therefore powerful."

“I do know that for the sympathy of one living being, I would make peace with all. I have love in me the likes of which you can scarcely imagine and rage the likes of which you would not believe. If I cannot satisfy the one, I will indulge the other.”

"I could not understand why men who knew all about good and evil could hate and kill each other."

"Hateful day when I received life!' I exclaimed in agony. 'Accursed creator! Why did you form a monster so hideous that even you turned from me in disgust? God, in pity, made man beautiful and alluring, after his own image; but my form is a filthy type of yours, more horrid even from the very resemblance.”