Frankenstein

                   by Mary Shelley 

   After reading Frankenstein by Mary Shelley, we realize that the novel embodies polarities which are still relevant to our current time period such as the knowledge of the good and the evil purposes along with nature in the face of unnatural events. Those are elements that build the main question Mary tries to tackle and answer thorough the book: To what extent does mankind could seek knowledge without hindering himself and others?

  We slowly are introduced to the plot through a series of letters leading us to the main character, Victor Frankenstein. 

He is the oldest son of Alfonse and Caroline Beaufort Frankenstein; Victor is known to have had a good and peaceful childhood alongside Elizabeth Lavenza, an innocent orphan child with whom he will get married later on. 

  Victor Frankenstein attends school at the University of Ingolstadt where he spikes interest in physical sciences. With the knowledge he gathers, he becomes obsessed with the idea of creating the human form and acts upon it. This is where he brings malice upon himself after realizing what he has created, a monster. Victor falls into depression and fear and never truly accepts the consequences of his action: he runs away from his creation.

  The Monster created by Victor Frankenstein faces rejection and fear from society but mainly feels betrayed by his own creator who rejects him too. He is a hideous and gigantic creature who acquires humane characteristics from his 'adopted' family De Lacey's and gains knowledge through books and conversations he hears. But due to his frustration, he murders for revenge purposes – he aims to hurt Victor and even kills Elizabeth Lavenza the day of their honeymoon.

  The book overall presents a few gothic themes and elements such as dark settings ('I saw by the light of the moon [...]'), passion-drive (the Monster is Victor's doppelgänger, his ego).