Civilization is hideously fragile […] there’s not much between us and the Horrors underneath, just about a coat of varnish.
(C.P Snow qtd. in Bhimeswara 178).
What does it mean to be human and what does it mean to become civilized? Questions of origin and purpose constitute strong themes in Mary Shelley’s novel Frankenstein. In the following chapters the seeming interdependence between civilization, its scientific pursuits and nature will be examined and illustrated by appropriate examples.
Before exploring how the dichotomy of nature versus civilization is represented in the story and which motifs and themes are incorporated in order to create such contrast, two philosophical approaches thought to have inspired the author will be introduced and put into context. After a theoretical frame is established, ‘nature’ and ‘civilization’ as major themes of the novel will be analyzed and compared. It is hoped to illustrate how each theme is represented and what effect it has on the overall reception and interpretation.
2. Nature versus Civilization – Philosophical Approaches and Theories
Mary Shelley’s scientific gothic novel can be interpreted as a representation of a Victorian woman’s reaction to experiments in natural science and galvanic electricity. To what extend her sophisticated and critical reflection on contemporary societal issues draws from theories of much cited social analysts like Jean Jacques Rousseau and John Locke will be explored in the following chapters.
Table of Contents
- 1. Introduction
- 2. Nature versus Civilization – Philosophical Approaches and Theories
- 2.1 The Noble Savage and Emile
- 2.2 Some Thoughts Concerning Education and Theory of the Blank Sheet
- 3. Representation of the Dichotomy of Nature versus Civilization in Frankenstein
- 3.1 Nature
- 3.1.1 Nature and Science
- 3.1.2 Motifs and Themes of Nature
- 3.1.3 The Challenge of Understanding Nature
- 3.2 Civilization
- 3.2.1 The Monster's Civilization
- 3.2.2 Educational Differences between Victor and His Creation
Objectives and Key Themes
This work examines the interplay between nature and civilization in Mary Shelley's Frankenstein, exploring how these themes shape the novel's narrative and characters. It investigates the philosophical underpinnings of the novel, drawing upon the theories of Rousseau and Locke to analyze the monster's development and experiences. The analysis focuses on how the representation of nature and civilization affects the overall interpretation and reception of the novel.
- The concept of the "noble savage" and its representation in the novel.
- The influence of education and societal interaction on the monster's development.
- The contrasting representations of nature and civilization in Frankenstein.
- The role of scientific pursuit in the narrative.
- The exploration of human nature and its complexities.
Chapter Summaries
1. Introduction: This introductory chapter sets the stage for the analysis of nature versus civilization in Mary Shelley's Frankenstein. It poses fundamental questions about humanity and civilization, highlighting the novel's exploration of origins and purpose. The chapter introduces the central theme of the interdependence between civilization, scientific pursuits, and nature, establishing the framework for subsequent chapters that will delve into the novel's representation of this dichotomy and its associated motifs and themes. The author outlines the intention to explore how these themes are represented and their impact on the interpretation of the novel.
2. Nature versus Civilization – Philosophical Approaches and Theories: This chapter examines the philosophical influences on Shelley's work, particularly the theories of Jean-Jacques Rousseau and John Locke. It explores how Rousseau's concept of the "noble savage" informs the portrayal of the monster as initially innocent and good-natured, later corrupted by societal interaction. The chapter also investigates Locke's concept of the "blank slate" and its relevance to the monster's development, highlighting Victor's failure to provide proper education and guidance. The chapter lays the groundwork for a deeper understanding of the philosophical underpinnings of the novel's central themes.
Keywords
Frankenstein, Nature, Civilization, Noble Savage, Tabula Rasa, Education, Human Nature, Scientific Pursuit, Gothic Novel, Social Commentary.
Frequently Asked Questions: Frankenstein - Nature vs. Civilization
What is the overall purpose of this document?
This document provides a comprehensive preview of an academic work analyzing the themes of nature versus civilization in Mary Shelley's Frankenstein. It includes a table of contents, objectives and key themes, chapter summaries, and keywords, offering a structured overview of the analysis.
What topics are covered in the Table of Contents?
The table of contents outlines the structure of the analysis. It begins with an introduction, followed by a chapter exploring philosophical approaches to nature versus civilization (focusing on Rousseau and Locke), and culminates in a detailed examination of how this dichotomy is represented in Frankenstein itself. The representation of nature includes subsections on nature and science, motifs and themes, and the challenges in understanding nature. The representation of civilization focuses on the monster's experiences and the educational differences between Victor and his creation.
What are the main objectives and key themes of the analysis?
The analysis aims to examine the interplay between nature and civilization in Frankenstein, exploring how these themes shape the narrative and characters. It investigates the philosophical underpinnings, drawing on Rousseau and Locke's theories to analyze the monster's development. The focus is on how the representation of nature and civilization affects the interpretation of the novel. Key themes include the "noble savage," the influence of education, contrasting representations of nature and civilization, the role of scientific pursuit, and the exploration of human nature.
What are the chapter summaries?
The introduction sets the stage for the analysis, posing questions about humanity and civilization and highlighting the novel's exploration of origins and purpose. Chapter 2 examines the philosophical influences of Rousseau and Locke, exploring how their theories inform the portrayal of the monster and his development. The focus is on how the philosophical underpinnings shape the novel's central themes.
What are the keywords associated with this analysis?
The keywords include Frankenstein, Nature, Civilization, Noble Savage, Tabula Rasa, Education, Human Nature, Scientific Pursuit, Gothic Novel, and Social Commentary.
What philosophical frameworks are used in this analysis?
The analysis draws heavily upon the philosophical theories of Jean-Jacques Rousseau (particularly his concept of the "noble savage") and John Locke (his concept of the "blank slate" or tabula rasa) to understand the monster's development and the interplay between nature and civilization in the novel.
How is the concept of the "noble savage" addressed?
The analysis explores how Rousseau's concept of the "noble savage" influences the portrayal of the monster as initially innocent and good, subsequently corrupted by societal interaction and lack of proper education and guidance.
What is the role of education in the analysis?
The analysis highlights the crucial role of education (or lack thereof) in shaping the monster's development and behavior. It contrasts Victor's education and opportunities with the monster's complete lack of guidance, exploring how this difference contributes to the conflict and tragedy of the story.
- Quote paper
- Janine Lacombe (Author), 2014, Mars Shelley's "Frankenstein". A Representation of the Dichotomy of Nature versus Civilization, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/278801
