3.1.3

The Bible

Test yourself

The Bible

This religious text is relevant to Frankenstein on a number of levels.

Illustrative background for AdamIllustrative background for Adam ?? "content

Adam

  • It could be argued that the Monster mirrors Adam, in that he is a new creation, the first of his kind, who at first views the world with the same kind of innocence.
  • When Victor rejects the Monster, he feels that he has been deprived of paternal love and therefore exiled from a potentially paradisal life, just as Adam suffers from The Fall of Mankind.
Illustrative background for LapsarianismIllustrative background for Lapsarianism ?? "content

Lapsarianism

  • Following on from the idea of The Fall of Mankind, Shelley appears to subvert the concept of Lapsarianism (the belief that man has fallen from a better state) within the novel.
  • Instead of a woman being to blame for ‘eating the apple’, with Victor, "the apple was already eaten, and the angel’s arm bared to drive me from all hope."
Illustrative background for Male temptationIllustrative background for Male temptation ?? "content

Male temptation

  • Instead of women being the ones to give in to temptation from the tree of knowledge (as decreed in the Bible), Shelley promotes the idea that it is men who are too tempted by knowledge that is beyond their capabilities, and the resulting consequences means that women are the ones to suffer (Elizabeth and Justine).
Illustrative background for DoppelgangersIllustrative background for Doppelgangers ?? "content

Doppelgangers

  • Both the Monster and Victor liken themselves to the figure of Adam, strengthening the idea of them being doppelgangers.

The Bible

Both the Monster and Victor liken themselves to the figure of Adam, strengthening the idea of them being doppelgangers. Both can also be compared to Satan.

Illustrative background for The Monster as SatanIllustrative background for The Monster as Satan ?? "content

The Monster as Satan

  • The Monster can also be identified with Satan in that he eventually turns against his creator and wages war on him and on all mankind.
  • This then posits Victor in the position of God, the Almighty creator, although it is clear that Shelley is more comfortable using the figure of Prometheus to parallel to Victor, rather than God.
Illustrative background for Victor as SatanIllustrative background for Victor as Satan ?? "content

Victor as Satan

  • Victor may too be compared to Satan in that he defies God and commits a profound blasphemy by attempting to usurp God's power as the creator of life.
Illustrative background for RomanticsIllustrative background for Romantics ?? "content

Romantics

  • Lucifer was seen by Romantics, like Percy Shelley, as less of a villain and more of a Romantic rebel who posed as an anti-authoritarian figure.
Illustrative background for _Paradise Lost_Illustrative background for _Paradise Lost_ ?? "content

Paradise Lost

  • It is not, however, mentioned that the Monster ever reads the Bible, but learns instead of God, Satan, good and evil from the epic poem Paradise Lost by Milton.

Jump to other topics

1Narrative Structure

1.1Narrative Structure

1.1.1Narrative Structure

1.1.2Narrative Distancing

1.1.3End of Topic Test - Narrative Structure

2Character Summaries

2.1Walton & Frankenstein

2.1.1Walton

2.1.2Victor Frankenstein

2.1.3End of Topic Test - Walton & Frankenstein

2.2The Monster

2.2.1The Monster

2.2.2The Monster 2

2.2.3End of Topic Test - The Monster

2.3Elizabeth, Justine & Henry

2.3.1Elizabeth Lavenza

2.3.2Justine Moritz

2.3.3Henry Clerval

2.3.4End of Topic Test - Elizabeth, Justine & Henry

2.4Families & Other Characters

2.4.1The Frankenstein Family

2.4.2The De Lacey Family

2.4.3Other Characters

2.4.4End of Topic Test - Families & Other Characters

3Intertextuality & Allusions

3.1Intertextual References

3.1.1The Modern Prometheus

3.1.2The Rime of the Ancient Mariner

3.1.3The Bible

3.1.4Mutability & Tintern Abbey

3.1.5End of Topic Test - Intertextual References

3.2Philosophical & Scientific Theories

3.2.1Edmund Burke

3.2.2Thomas Paine

3.2.3John Locke

3.2.4Jean-Jacques Rousseau

3.2.5Historical Figures

3.2.6End of Topic Test - Philosophy & Science Theories

4Biographic Context

4.1Biographic Context

4.1.1Shelley's Parents

4.1.2Loss & Maternal Anxiety

4.1.3Literary Legend

4.1.4End of Topic Test - Biographical Context

5Chapter Summaries

5.1Letters

5.1.1Letters 1 & 2

5.1.2Letters 3 & 4

5.1.3End of Topic Test - Letters

5.2Chapters

5.2.1Chapters 1-2

5.2.2Chapters 3-4

5.2.3Chapters 5-6

5.2.4Chapters 7-9

5.2.5Chapters 10-11

5.2.6Chapters 12-15

5.2.7Chapters 16-19

5.2.8Chapters 20-23

5.2.9Chapter 24 & Walton’s Last Letters

5.2.10End of Topic Test - Chapters 1-6

5.2.11End of Topic Test - Chapters 7-15

5.2.12End of Topic Test - Chapters 16-23

5.2.13End of Topic Test - Chapter 24 & Walton's Letters

6Key Themes

6.1Key Themes

6.1.1Curiosity & Knowledge

6.1.2Science & Society

6.1.3Loss & Companionship

6.1.4Connection to Nature

6.1.5Injustice

6.2Key Locations

6.2.1Extreme Landscapes

6.2.2Industrialised University Cities

6.2.3End of Topic Test - Key Themes & Locations

Go student ad image

Unlock your full potential with GoStudent tutoring

  • Affordable 1:1 tutoring from the comfort of your home

  • Tutors are matched to your specific learning needs

  • 30+ school subjects covered

Book a free trial lesson

The Rime of the Ancient Mariner

Mutability & Tintern Abbey