FRANKENSTEIN

Frankenstein can be seen as an unorginal text that is based on other stories. DISCUSS. (get your discussion ON)

There are references to other texts that Frankenstein has had influence from. For example John Milton's Paradise Lost, where the creature finds this text and uses it to educate himself. He then finds himself relating to Adam and the Devil. 'Like Adam, I was apparantly united by no link to any other being in existence;' Here the use of 'united' conveys how he sees how Adam is alone, and sees the parallel of this lonliness in his own life and therefore feels the connection to Adam.

Also just as Adam was the first creation it can be viewed that the creature was the first creation of Victor's. The basis of Frankenstein being influenced by Milton's Paradise Lost, can be seen through this as it shows how the tale has a huge effect on the creature. Furthermore the similarities from God to being a creator as Victor is, and Adam to the creature shows how much the two texts have in common.

Furthermore another text Frankenstein could be based upon is Prometheus. Prometheus was the myth about the titan Prometheus who had the task of moulding mankind out of clay and when Zeus withheld fire from man, Prometheus went and stole the fire for his creation. Frankenstein did originally have the sub-title 'the modern Prometheus' and it can be seen in some aspects how Frankenstein is similar to Prometheus.
Victor Frankenstein can be viewed as Prometheus in the aspect of them being creators and just as Prometheus was a titan and had physical powers, Victor has the power of knowledge and determination, '...improved so rapidly...I made some discoveries...procurred me great esteem...from the university' The use of 'rapidly' illustrates how Victor Frankenstein is not only knowledgable but has a 'passion' for his studies that many others do not. Just as Prometheus cared for his creation of mankind, Victor fulfilled his hunger for knowledge and nurtured his learning.

However there are differences which make Frankenstein an original text. For example Victor is unlike Prometheus in the sense that he rejects his creature where as Prometheus indirectly sacrifices his life to procure the fire from Zeus for mankind, Victor wants to be rid of his. In addition to this Frankenstein is an original text as the basis of the tale is about creation it also has prominent themes of nature being a form of solace, companionship and isolation. Also Frankenstein differs from Milton's paradise lost as Victor's creature differs from Adam in the sense that Adam gains his companion, being Eve where as the creature is continuously rejected by society. Furthermore Adam is loved by God unconditionally where as the creature is seen as an abomination by Victor, '...at this catastrophe...'