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Frankenstein, Dracula and Spiritualism

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Frankenstein, Dracula and Spiritualism
1. Mary Shelley 's Frankenstein tells the story of a man 's desire to control life itself. Victor Frankenstein 's main goal is his own glory and power. He desires like Prometheus before him to take something that is reserved for the god 's and make it of use to men. Victor is unable to control this new found power and it eventually destroys him. Shelley tells this story of knowledge and science by introducing the romantic temperament of Victor and the gothic themes of the creation of the creature and the horrors it unleashes. As Shelley subtitled Frankenstein "The Modern Prometheus" the relation of the Greek titan to Victor Frankenstein is prominent. Prometheus stole fire from the gods of Mount Olympus to give it to people. For this theft he was punished by Zeus by being bound for all time, never to die even though he endured murderous torture everyday. Victor similarly stole a power that was reserved for the gods, the power to give life. However, while Prometheus ' actions are arguably altruistic, Victor 's actions are selfish. Victor is only concerned with his own power and glory. Victor, having studied alchemy and being recently introduced to modern science perceives how to give life to dead flesh. This new man will be strong, free of disease, beautiful and perhaps immortal. In trying to create this new life Victor goes against the basic laws of nature that life cannot be created from lifelessness. Victor does not believe that this law is unbreakable and in succeeding in creating life he appears to be right. Having created new life Victor looks upon his creation. However, usurping the power of god does not make one god. Victor is unable to feel compassion for his newly created creature as he views him as horribly ugly. Victor twice rejects the creature, unable to look at the monstrosity he made and it eventually flees. Victor believes the creature has left for good, but as he comes to find out the creature 's existence will haunt him till


References: Richardson, Beverley (2007) Vampires in Myth and History, Viewed November 1, 2007, from Vampires in Myth and History Website: http:// www.chebucto.ns.ca/~vampire/vhist.html Shelley, Mary (1992) Frankenstein, Published by Penguin Books, New York, New York, Originally Published 1818
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