What is the point of Shelley’s subtitle, The Modern Prometheus?
Frankenstein is told from the points of view of three different narrators—the explorer Robert Walton, the scientist Victor Frankenstein, and his creature. What is the difference in their perspectives? How does this split perspective affect our experience of the story?
Why does Frankenstein reject his creation? In the world of the novel, is he wrong to do so?
Frankenstein’s creature blames his “Creator” for the horrible crimes he commits against Frankenstein’s loved ones. In the world of the novel, is he wrong to do so?
Should Frankenstein have granted his creature’s request for a bride?
Shelley’s classic novel has inspired a variety of interpretations. Is it fundamentally a story about
- the danger of prying into nature’s secrets?
- the madness of assuming God’s role in creation?
- the evils of misguided education?
- the exclusion of women from the procreative process?
- the frightening emergence of the Industrial Revolution
Or is it just meant to be a scary story?
Further Resources
The Pennsylvania Electronic Edition of Frankenstein offers a wide array of resources, including notes and interpretive articles.
Public Radio International’s Science Friday Book Club has a series of podcasts and articles about Frankenstein.