The creature in Mary Shelley's <i>Frankenstein</i>: Sublime work of art or doomed child of science? - DUMAS - Dépôt Universitaire de Mémoires Après Soutenance
Master Thesis Year : 2013

The creature in Mary Shelley's Frankenstein: Sublime work of art or doomed child of science?

Abstract

This study attempts to focus on Mary Shelley's creature in Frankenstein. The aim was first to focus on the physical aspect of it, drawing on the origins of the sublime and of the Gothic genre notably thanks to Burke's Enquiry, better to concentrate on the Romantic movement and to give an account on the novelistic aspects of the book. The accent was also put on the female characters of the novel, providing some historical context, notably the condition of the nineteenth century woman. Then, to close the first part, the task was to concentrate on the question of judgement, illustrated in this connection with the works of Kant or Gerard. Furthermore, what was interesting then was to explore the domain of pathology, raising the question of norm and normality better to highlight the condition of the creature, but also its creator's. Having a strong interest in Freud's works, I found interesting to give an importance to the psyche. What was then consistent was to take a larger point of view by evoking society and more precisely the exclusion of it. Finally, this study aimed at analysing deeper the notion of progress, be it scientific or artistic. A solid historical context was brought better to understand the period in which Frankenstein saw the day, and what made the so particular and fascinating atmosphere that Shelley created what it is. It also seemed important for me to joint some characteristic paintings of the time, notably the ones of Fuseli, Turner or Friedrich.
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Dates and versions

dumas-00926188 , version 1 (13-01-2014)

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  • HAL Id : dumas-00926188 , version 1

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Roxane Leca. The creature in Mary Shelley's Frankenstein: Sublime work of art or doomed child of science?. Literature. 2013. ⟨dumas-00926188⟩

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