The Book Report by A Bae Hel
Frankenstein
By Mary Shelley
I acknowledge never having read this gem before now. In my defense, I have never been a big fan of horror, unless it is Poe, and if your book is marketed as horror, I will likely have missed it.
I see the error of my ways now. What other delights have I missed out on?
I think Mary Shelley saw the men of her time as objects of ridicule and hubris. She certainly writes it that way. The main characters, Frankenstein, the monster and Walton, are all men overly impressed with their ability to think and over reaching ambition. The female characters do not pass the Bechdel test, portrayed as passive hosts waiting for fulfillment through male agency.
She has taken the power of women, to create life, and placed it in the hands of a man, overburdened with the patriarchal values of ambition and self-centeredness, who takes a male approach to creation with all it’s lack of awareness or responsibility. Victor’s failure to provide the absolute basic necessities to his creation is the cause of all the pain and suffering that ensues.
And ensue it does. These characters are perhaps the original emo boys for they do seemingly love to suffer. The monster just wants to be loved, as all children, unfortunately, he has decided to take on the values that we see currently playing out in the dark corners of the internet – love me or I will destroy all you care about. Give me a woman who will dote on me. Tiresome now, and I bet it was tiresome then.
Frankenstein and his foil, Walton are hell bent on achieving fame until their hubris brings about their failing. Even then Frankenstein remains assured of his mission and Walton is easily swayed by words basically telling him to not be such a beta cluck.
Mary Shelley led and interesting life for the times. A child of passionate feminists and a wild child of the times she traipsed around Europe in the thrall of a self-centered man. I think she understood the assignment very well.
Absolutely do not miss reading this like I did. It is never too late
If you want to know more about Mary Shelley and her husband, Percy, please read Romantic Outlaws: The Extraordinary Lives of Mary Wollstonecraft and Mary Shelley by Charlotte Gordon
I had first read this extraordinary book, Frankenstein, when I was about 12 years old. I couldn’t put it down, and I had dreaded it overnight. I’ve read it two more times since then as an adult, and I had to say I wanted to know more about Percy and Mary. A friend told me I should read The Romantic Outlaws by Charlotte Gordon. I think it is a must-read
Thank you for your article. About this extraordinary woman, Mary Shelley, I enjoy your book reports very much. Take care.
Thanks for that recommendation. I have it from the library to start on now. I was fascinated by what she did and her parents.