This blog is for the “Monsters and Marvels through the Ages” course, taught by Dr. Leslie Donovan in the University Honors Program at the University of New Mexico in Albuquerque, NM, USA. It provides an easily accessible, electronic space for 100-level Honors students to discuss texts and ideas, develop critical thinking skills, and practice college level writing. While anyone may read our work, only class members may post.
Sunday, January 29, 2012
Religion/Faith in "Frankenstein"
Just wondering: Does Frankenstein have a soul? Does having a soul make one a human being? Also, what part does God play in this story? Is there a God or supernatural force in the text? What do you think?
This is a really good question Pegasus. I hadn't even thought about this aspect of the whole idea of Frankenstein.
I believe in God most definately and I believe that he is the creator of all things, but when this story comes into play it also reminds me that in our day and age, we are beginning to clone. This shows us that in some ways God cannot create all things anymore. In that same thought though I believe that God has a plan for everything so this cloning and creating from other people has to be in his book of plans somewhere.
As far as the book goes it doesn't ever really entail anything religious, which is quite strange because I thought in this time era people were really religious. Only because there seems to be no religious aspects in the novel, I don't think God plays a role.
Does Frankenstein have a soul? I think so! I mean the creature feels emotion. He views life just as any of us would and even though he was created I believe a soul is your meaning of life. It's what you think and how you feel; it is who you are. The creature may not have been created the same way as we are but that is really the only difference except his looks, and we all know there is more to phenomenon than appearances.
It's nearly as if the creature is allowed a soul only by siphoning some (or most) of Victor's. From the moment the creature's eyes opened, Victor became a totally different person. It seems like he lost a part of himself, and only gained a curse. Victor never seemed to feel positive emotions for any extended period of time (as far as I've read anyway). I too am surprised by the lack of religion, sort of seems like Shelley didn't want to get too mixed up in the science/religion debate; especially in the 19th century!
I think that Frankenstein’s monster does have a soul, because he is able to feel as humans do and understand what is good and what is bad. I also believe that having a soul is what separates humans from animals and ultimately makes us what we are. God seems to take a back seat in this story as Victor is the one that is creating life, but I guess one could say that Victor is symbolic of God since he was able to reanimate life. The only supernatural force in this novel seems to have is the mysterious fate that decides what the characters are doing.
This is a very interesting question. I myself was thinking the same thing. I feel that the Creature is a special case in terms of having a soul since he was not made by God, but acts so very human and experiences human feelings. I see the Creature somewhat as an animal since they have no souls because only humans were made in the image of God. I also believe there is some relation between Victor playing God and the Creature as his creation. This might also example the relationship between God and his creations. It is definitely difficult to categorize the Creature as an animal since he acts and feels as a human would.
I believe that if any sort of organism is living and free thinking, then it has a soul. I don't think God plays a major role in the story but you can probably say there is a theme that Victor creates life to defy God and religious belief.
There very well could be a god in this story. Victors act of creating life from death could be viewed as an act against God. Only god should have the power to reverse death and Victors actions could be viewed as defiance. The bad things that happen to Victor and his family could be seen as punishment not only for his lack of responsibility but also for his defiance of god. I believe the Creature had a soul. It could be argued that due to the Creatures evil action he could not have a soul, but I believe that his actions were a reaction to the evil he had experienced. His horrible life experiences, which were inflicted upon him by other people, broke his soul turning him into a vengeful and violent creature. Just because he had a different beginning that most doesn't mean he did not have a soul. He wanted a companion and a soulless creature would not need or want that companionship.
6 comments:
This is a really good question Pegasus. I hadn't even thought about this aspect of the whole idea of Frankenstein.
I believe in God most definately and I believe that he is the creator of all things, but when this story comes into play it also reminds me that in our day and age, we are beginning to clone. This shows us that in some ways God cannot create all things anymore. In that same thought though I believe that God has a plan for everything so this cloning and creating from other people has to be in his book of plans somewhere.
As far as the book goes it doesn't ever really entail anything religious, which is quite strange because I thought in this time era people were really religious. Only because there seems to be no religious aspects in the novel, I don't think God plays a role.
Does Frankenstein have a soul? I think so! I mean the creature feels emotion. He views life just as any of us would and even though he was created I believe a soul is your meaning of life. It's what you think and how you feel; it is who you are. The creature may not have been created the same way as we are but that is really the only difference except his looks, and we all know there is more to phenomenon than appearances.
It's nearly as if the creature is allowed a soul only by siphoning some (or most) of Victor's. From the moment the creature's eyes opened, Victor became a totally different person. It seems like he lost a part of himself, and only gained a curse. Victor never seemed to feel positive emotions for any extended period of time (as far as I've read anyway).
I too am surprised by the lack of religion, sort of seems like Shelley didn't want to get too mixed up in the science/religion debate; especially in the 19th century!
I think that Frankenstein’s monster does have a soul, because he is able to feel as humans do and understand what is good and what is bad.
I also believe that having a soul is what separates humans from animals and ultimately makes us what we are.
God seems to take a back seat in this story as Victor is the one that is creating life, but I guess one could say that Victor is symbolic of God since he was able to reanimate life.
The only supernatural force in this novel seems to have is the mysterious fate that decides what the characters are doing.
This is a very interesting question. I myself was thinking the same thing. I feel that the Creature is a special case in terms of having a soul since he was not made by God, but acts so very human and experiences human feelings. I see the Creature somewhat as an animal since they have no souls because only humans were made in the image of God.
I also believe there is some relation between Victor playing God and the Creature as his creation. This might also example the relationship between God and his creations. It is definitely difficult to categorize the Creature as an animal since he acts and feels as a human would.
I believe that if any sort of organism is living and free thinking, then it has a soul. I don't think God plays a major role in the story but you can probably say there is a theme that Victor creates life to defy God and religious belief.
There very well could be a god in this story. Victors act of creating life from death could be viewed as an act against God. Only god should have the power to reverse death and Victors actions could be viewed as defiance. The bad things that happen to Victor and his family could be seen as punishment not only for his lack of responsibility but also for his defiance of god.
I believe the Creature had a soul. It could be argued that due to the Creatures evil action he could not have a soul, but I believe that his actions were a reaction to the evil he had experienced. His horrible life experiences, which were inflicted upon him by other people, broke his soul turning him into a vengeful and violent creature. Just because he had a different beginning that most doesn't mean he did not have a soul. He wanted a companion and a soulless creature would not need or want that companionship.
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