Mary Shelley

Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein In great literature, authors often seize upon the plight of one particular character to represent a more general concern of humanity. In Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein, this is seen in the character of Victor Frankenstein. His thoughts, actions, and experiences represent a concern of humanity, humanity’s self-destruction through the desire to control nature, present at the time the work was written that continues to be a concern today. Genetic cloning …

…of power and control, along with the fact that it was a reflection of his selfishness, represent humanity's self-destruction by assuming similar power. Human beings are perpetually progressing in their knowledge of existence, and want to be able to create it on their own. It is an innate part of human nature to want control. Yet, looking to Victor Frankenstein as an example, the illusion of power blinds us when it comes to the ramifications.