Civilization is hideously fragile […] there’s not much between us and the Horrors underneath, just about a coat of varnish.
(C.P Snow qtd. in Bhimeswara 178).
What does it mean to be human and what does it mean to become civilized? Questions of origin and purpose constitute strong themes in Mary Shelley’s novel Frankenstein. In the following chapters the seeming interdependence between civilization, its scientific pursuits and nature will be examined and illustrated by appropriate examples.
Before exploring how the dichotomy of nature versus civilization is represented in the story and which motifs and themes are incorporated in order to create such contrast, two philosophical approaches thought to have inspired the author will be introduced and put into context. After a theoretical frame is established, ‘nature’ and ‘civilization’ as major themes of the novel will be analyzed and compared. It is hoped to illustrate how each theme is represented and what effect it has on the overall reception and interpretation.
2. Nature versus Civilization – Philosophical Approaches and Theories
Mary Shelley’s scientific gothic novel can be interpreted as a representation of a Victorian woman’s reaction to experiments in natural science and galvanic electricity. To what extend her sophisticated and critical reflection on contemporary societal issues draws from theories of much cited social analysts like Jean Jacques Rousseau and John Locke will be explored in the following chapters.
Table of Contents
1. Introduction
2. Nature versus Civilization – Philosophical Approaches and Theories
2.1 The Noble Savage and Emile
2.2 Some Thoughts Concerning Education and Theory of the Blank Sheet
3. Representation of the Dichotomy of Nature versus Civilization in Frankenstein
3.1 Nature
3.1.1 Nature and Science
3.1.2 Motifs and Themes of Nature
3.1.3 The Challenge of Understanding Nature
3.2 Civilization
3.2.1 The Monster’s Civilization
3.2.2 Educational Differences between Victor and His Creation
4. Conclusion
Objectives and Topics
This work examines the interdependent relationship between nature and civilization in Mary Shelley's Frankenstein, focusing on how scientific pursuits and the lack of social guidance influence the development of the creature. It addresses the research question of how the dichotomy between nature and civilization is represented and what impact this interplay has on the novel's characters and overall interpretation.
- The influence of philosophical theories by Jean-Jacques Rousseau and John Locke on the novel.
- The representation of nature as both a source of life and an emotional mirror.
- The clash between scientific ambition and ethical responsibility.
- The impact of self-education and social isolation on the creature's humanity.
- The comparison between Victor Frankenstein’s formal education and the creature’s autodidactic process.
Excerpt from the Book
3.1.1 Nature and Science
As previously mentioned, nature and science seem to be linked in a causative way. Mother Nature constitutes a somewhat mysterious realm in which many processes and developmental factors are unknown to mankind. The emergence of diverse scientific fields attempting to reveal those secrets of nature may be interpreted as man’s innate curiosity, his urge for more knowledge (cf. Hindle 166 et seq.). In Shelley’s novel, however, nature is not appreciated or cherished by the scientists observing it. Victor Frankenstein’s mentor Waldman declares in his introduction lecture:
The modern masters […] have indeed performed miracles. They penetrate into the recesses of nature and shew (sic) how she works in her hiding places. They ascend into the heavens […]. They have acquired new and almost unlimited powers; they can command the thunders of heaven, mimic the earthquake, and even mock the invisible world with its own shadows.
(Shelley 30).
The hierarchy suggested by Waldman seems clear. Nature has been overruled by science and is now its slave, no longer obeying its own laws but following the scientific order of the civilized world. With God-like arrogance, nature is not only violated in “her hiding-places” but also depreciated and downgraded in its complexity and uniqueness (cf. Mellor 122 and Hindle 169).
Summary of Chapters
1. Introduction: This chapter introduces the core dichotomy of nature versus civilization in Frankenstein and sets the analytical framework for the subsequent investigation.
2. Nature versus Civilization – Philosophical Approaches and Theories: This section explores how the works of Rousseau and Locke provide a theoretical basis for analyzing the mental and moral development of the novel's characters.
3. Representation of the Dichotomy of Nature versus Civilization in Frankenstein: This chapter examines the central tension between natural forces and human-made civilization, detailing how these themes manifest through motifs and scientific pursuits.
4. Conclusion: The final chapter summarizes the findings, arguing that the novel serves as a cautionary tale against the destructive potential of unchecked scientific progress and societal neglect.
Keywords
Frankenstein, Mary Shelley, Nature, Civilization, Enlightenment, Romanticism, Jean-Jacques Rousseau, John Locke, Education, Science, Tabula Rasa, Noble Savage, Socialization, Monster, Ethics
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the core subject of this publication?
The work explores the philosophical and thematic tension between nature and civilization as presented in Mary Shelley's novel Frankenstein.
What are the central themes discussed in the analysis?
The key themes include the impact of scientific ambition, the importance of education and social interaction, and the moral responsibilities of a creator toward their creation.
What is the primary research objective?
The objective is to analyze how the dichotomy between nature and civilization is represented and to demonstrate how these forces influence the tragic trajectory of both Victor Frankenstein and his creation.
Which scientific methodology is applied?
The paper utilizes a literary analysis approach, contextualizing the novel within Enlightenment and Romantic philosophical theories, specifically citing Rousseau and Locke.
What is covered in the main body of the work?
The main body examines the influence of philosophical theories on the text, the symbolic representation of nature versus science, and a comparative study of the educational journeys of Victor and the creature.
Which keywords characterize this work?
The work is characterized by terms such as Frankenstein, nature, civilization, socialization, and the philosophical concepts of the 'noble savage' and 'tabula rasa'.
How does the author interpret the role of "Nature" in the novel?
Nature is interpreted as a source of emotional well-being and life, which becomes increasingly violated and dominated by the protagonist's scientific pursuit.
Why is the lack of "motherly love" considered significant?
Drawing on Rousseau’s Emile, the analysis suggests that the absence of a nurturing mother and the creator's denial of responsibility are critical factors that drive the creature toward moral failure.
- Citar trabajo
- Janine Lacombe (Autor), 2014, Mars Shelley's "Frankenstein". A Representation of the Dichotomy of Nature versus Civilization, Múnich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/278801
