Frankenstein II

While Frankenstein is well-known as a pop fiction classic, it has been read and studied extensively as a serious philosophical novel. My previous blog post explored the themes of religion, science, and human nature, suggesting that human nature is a particularly urgent cultural issue in an age of democracy when "common people" can vote and hold office. Could they be trusted to make responsible decisions? What kind of upbringing and education are necessary to insure that they will act wisely and virtuously?

Note how the family background of so many characters is described in some detail. Note that both Elizabeth and Justine are "adopted," raising, again, the issue of nurture vs. nature. In addition to being read as the "Creator," in a religious sense, of the creature, Victor Frankenstein can also be viewed as the "parent." What then are his responsibilities, not only for the act of creation itself but also for the proper care and cultivation of his creature?

Note the role of self-education as well as formal education in the novel. Note the role that books play, not only as literary allusions, but also as key elements in the education of the creature. His development parallels the process of human evolution-- from his animalistic experience of sensations and appetite through learning by trial and error, observation, and imitation; humanization by experiencing emotions and sympathy; language acquisition; and knowledge of human culture and history by reading. His capacity to learn and grow show his potential for greatness. Yet, his experience of rejection, abuse, and injustice twists this potential into destructive rage. All the elements of cultivation were there except parental guidance and humane treatment. ("I am malicious because I am miserable.")

This reading of the novel would suggest that democracy can be successful if family and society properly nurture and responsibly educate their citizens, but if those citizens experience neglect and mistreatment they will lead us to destruction.

There is, however, a counter-narrative in the novel, which returns us to the theme of Original Sin. Is all the nurture and cultivation in the world simply fated to be undone by our "monstrous" animalistic nature and our uncontrollable psychic aggression? See the next blog post.