Monstrosity and Anti-Enlightenment in Mary Shelley's Frankenstein

Introduction: Shelley's Anti-Enlightenment Vision

Mary Shelley's Frankenstein; Or, the Modern Prometheus, considered by many to be one of the first science-fiction novels ever written, is full of anti-Enlightenment sentiments, many of which remain present in society today. Shelley's novel, published first in 1818 and then revised and republished in 1831, examines the conflicts between science and religion. Through this examination, Shelley provides insight into the dangers of playing God and taking the forces of nature into one's own hands. Seeing as Mary Shelley was the daughter of two well-known Enlightenment intellectual figures, it can be posited that she understood the arguments and beliefs of the movement and could construct a well-considered argument against it. Shelley's anti-Enlightenment stance explores the dangers that may arise through unsupervised educational pursuits — including the unrestrained exploration of science and the denunciation or tampering of religious beliefs — and how these dangers may impact individual perspectives and rationale.

In Frankenstein, Shelley explores Victorian fears of scientific and technological advancements, simultaneously questioning religious beliefs about creation and evolution. It can be argued that there are two different monsters in the novel; moreover, it can be argued that one is a monster by nature, while the other becomes a monster through nurture. Victor Frankenstein's monstrosity is derived from his intense desire to harness power over creation and the destruction of life. His attitude toward and treatment of his creation further demonstrate the kind of person Frankenstein is.

Victor Frankenstein as Monster: Education and Ambition

One of the central contributors to Frankenstein's monstrosity is his education. In the novel, Frankenstein represents the extreme of someone who is too educated and who is able to pursue knowledge without supervision. He has been given every opportunity to pursue a thorough education, yet, unlike Walton — to whom he recounts his tale — he does not feel the need for a partner with whom to collaborate and discuss ideas. Frankenstein uses his knowledge and education to further develop questions about life and death, which in turn leads him to study "natural philosophers" such as Cornelius Agrippa, Paracelsus, and Albertus Magnus. Lacking formal guidance, Frankenstein uses these philosophers as inspiration and soon "entered with the greatest diligence into the search of the philosopher's stone and the elixir of life; but the latter soon obtained [his] undivided attention… but what glory would attend the discovery, if [he] could banish disease from the human frame, and render man invulnerable to any but a violent death!" (Shelley).

This unrestrained pursuit of knowledge was promoted by Immanuel Kant in Was ist Aufklärung? (What is Enlightenment?). In this essay, Kant argues:

Kant's Enlightenment and Frankenstein's Unchecked Reason

"Enlightenment is man's release from his self-incurred tutelage. Tutelage is man's inability to make use of his understanding without direction from another. Self-incurred is this tutelage when its cause lies not in lack of reason but in lack of resolution and courage to use it without direction from another. Sapere aude! 'Have courage to use your own reason!' — that is the motto of enlightenment." (Kant)

It can be argued that separating oneself from "self-incurred tutelage" allowed Frankenstein to explore the possibility of rendering "man invulnerable to anything but a violent death." However, Frankenstein's "reason" is clouded, and he cannot see the repercussions of his actions, which will haunt him physically and psychologically for the rest of his life. Not only is Frankenstein a monster for creating his Creature, but he is also a monster for abandoning it at the moment of its "birth" and leaving the Creature to fend for itself. By doing so, Frankenstein effectively unleashed the Creature onto the world to wreak havoc and destroy the natural order of things.

Conclusion: Science, Knowledge, and Enduring Dangers

Frankenstein and his Creature are used to demonstrate the destructive powers that the unrestrained pursuit of knowledge can have. It is interesting to note that, despite all the scientific and technological advancements made since the publication of the novel, there is still trepidation when it comes to exploring science — especially embryonic stem cell research and cloning. Much like the dangers that Frankenstein warns of, many fear that scientific experimentations such as these will have disastrous consequences and implications. If limits are not set on what can and cannot be pursued scientifically and medically, there is no telling what unnatural forces are being tampered with or what consequences are likely to arise.