Frankenstein

For my correspondence course, I had to read Frankenstein by Mary Shelley. An interesting choice, I thought - but it is literature, written in England in the 1800s, so I guess it is within the scope I am studying. And you know what? It was so interesting! I would highly recommend reading this book. It turns out that most of the legend of Frankenstein has been developed separately from the original story.

First of all, Frankenstein is the name of the man (Victor Frankenstein) who created a living being. The creature itself is never named. This happens relatively early in the story, and the rest of the book considers the results. Victor is so horrified by his success that he has a mental breakdown (the first of several). His creature must fend for himself, and he learns to speak and read. He is so ugly, though, that everyone runs from him in terror. He has no companions; he is lonely. Though he begins as a benevolent, kind hearted being, his misery turns him into a monster. He eventually seeks out Victor and begs him to create a mate to keep him company and accept him. When Victor refuses and the creature kills Victor's new wife in response, they begin a cycle of mutual revenge.

Frankenstein considers what is owed to creation by its creator. It also looks at what can happen when people are deprived of love and socialization. "Is it scary?" a friend asked me. The characters in the book are scared, but no, reading it is not scary. It's fascinating. (Also, it's easy to read, and though sometimes implausible, the story keeps pulling you forward.)