might open doors that should remain closed for fear of the consequences.
There is an age-old recognition that science can be put to good or evil use, depending on the motives of scientists. Frankenstein, through his own burning curiosity, cannot resist the temptation of seeing whether he can find the secret to life. His intentions are good in his own mind, but the results are manifestly evil and Shelley’s tale is a cautionary one.
In a pre-Darwinian world, people tied science and religion together, rather than seeing science as a way of constructing the world in the absence of religion. The consequence was that using science to delve too deep could only have the effect of unleashing elements from the dark side. That is Frankenstein’s big mistake, he unleashes the forces of evil on his family and ultimately on himself.
In this way, Shelley’s story reaches a climax with both Frankenstein and his creation dying. Frankenstein can no longer interfere with the natural order of things with his crazy scientific experiments and the personification of evil removes itself from causing more terror by allowing the good side of its own personality to prevail.
Of course, the underpinning theme of good versus evil has always been a successful and popular formula for story telling. It satisfies a tendency in the human mind to compartmentalize things, elements, components, phenomena in life into two boxes. We enjoy the experience of being mentally assaulted by evil events, but we derive the most pleasure from seeing good restored in the end.
The influence of Frankenstein continues to filter down the two centuries since it was written, not least because it is a perfect example of its genre. Even though we now know that corpses cannot be sewn together and sparked to life, it doesn’t stop our imaginations from suspending their disbelief and becoming fully immersed into this dark tale.
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CLASSIC LITERATURE: WORDS AND PHRASES adapted from the Collins English Dictionary
To Mrs Saville, England.
St Petersburgh, Dec. 11th, 17-.
You will rejoice to hear that no disaster has accompanied the commencement of an enterprise which you have regarded with such evil forebodings. I arrived here yesterday; and my first task is to assure my dear sister of my welfare, and increasing confidence in the success of my undertaking.
I am already far north of London; and as I walk in the streets of Petersburgh, I feel a cold northern breeze play upon my cheeks, which braces my nerves, and fills me with delight. Do you understand this feeling? This breeze, which has travelled from the regions towards which I am advancing, gives me a foretaste of those icy climes. Inspirited by this wind of promise, my day dreams become more fervent and vivid. I try in vain to be persuaded that the pole is the seat of frost and desolation; it ever presents itself to my imagination as the region of beauty and delight. There, Margaret, the sun is for ever visible, its broad disk just skirting the horizon, and diffusing a perpetual splendour. There – for with your leave, my sister, I will put some trust in preceding navigators – there snow and frost are banished; and, sailing over a calm sea, we may be wafted to a land surpassing in wonders and in beauty every