3.2.4
Jean-Jacques Rousseau
Jean-Jacques Rousseau
Jean-Jacques Rousseau
Rousseau was a highly influential philosopher in the 18th century, who was born in Geneva (interestingly, where Shelley decides to have Victor grow up!).
Epistemological theory
Epistemological theory
- Following on from Locke’s idea of Tabula Rasa, Rousseau furthers this line of epistemological theory with his concept of the human being born into the world as, not quite a blank slate, but one who is innocent and compassionate and only has the instinct of self-preservation.
Innocence
Innocence
- He argues that if man was to stay in his natural state, away from organised society, he would stay innocent and benevolent.
- It is only society that has the power to corrupt man by imposing inequality, restrictions and suffering upon him.
- We can see this acted out in Shelley’s text, with the Monster starting life as an innocent child, wide-eyed to the wonders of the world, having to learn quickly about the reality of his environment.
The Monster
The Monster
- "In my joy, I thrust my hand into the live embers, but quickly drew it out again in a cry of pain."
- "I knew nothing about the science of words or letters."
- "When they rejoiced, I sympathised in their joys".
Abandonment
Abandonment
- Rousseau also argued that anyone abandoned at birth, without anyone to guide them and support them, would be ‘the most disfigured of all’.
Emile (1762)
Emile (1762)
Rousseau wrote an influential text called Emile which tells the story of an orphan who is well educated in the ways of nature by a mentor, becoming an ideal member of society.
Significance of Emile (1762)
Significance of Emile (1762)
- The text acts as a way for Rousseau to communicate his theories of the essential nature of education and the paramount importance of the role of educator.
Frankenstein
Frankenstein
- Frankenstein is the exact opposite of Emile.
- The Monster is like the orphan, yet he has no benevolent educator. He only a series of cruel encounters with a society which corrupts him and crushes any compassion he originally possessed.
- When he is on his own in nature, the Monster is calm, curious and at peace, just like in Rousseau’s theory.
Quotation - the Monster's joy
Quotation - the Monster's joy
- "I was delighted when I first discovered that a pleasant sound...proceeded from the throats of the little winged animals…"
Victor and peace
Victor and peace
- Before his first conversation with the Monster, Victor appears to use language which reflects Rousseau’s theories when he is at peace in nature:
- "If our impulses were confined into hunger, thirst and desire, we might be nearly free."
The effect of society
The effect of society
- It is only when the Monster mixes with his society that he is first corrupted by anger and despair, as can be seen in his meeting with William Frankenstein.
Meeting with William Frankenstein
Meeting with William Frankenstein
- "If, therefore, I could seize him and educate him as my companion and friend, I should not be so desolate in this peopled earth"
- "I gazed upon my victim and my heart swelled in exultation and hellish triumph."
Criticisms
Criticisms
Shelley criticised Rousseau’s personal life as he abandoned five children to the welfare system. Shelley’s own father was also distant and neglectful.
Rousseau and his children
Rousseau and his children
- As an interesting side note, Shelley herself criticised Rousseau’s personal life. It was known that, aside from his admirable sentiments in Emile about the formative benefits of education and compassionate upbringing, he abandoned five of his children to the public welfare system.
Shelley’s father
Shelley’s father
- Parallels could be made with Shelley’s father, William Godwin, who was portrayed as a distant and neglectful father.
- Godwin only ensured Mary was well educated but rescinded his responsibility for her emotional well being.
Satirising Godwin and Rousseau
Satirising Godwin and Rousseau
- Both men loom large in influencing the text. Shelley may be satirising them in her creation of the self-obsessed and neglectful Victor.
1Narrative Structure
2Character Summaries
2.1Walton & Frankenstein
2.3Elizabeth, Justine & Henry
3Intertextuality & Allusions
3.1Intertextual References
3.2Philosophical & Scientific Theories
4Biographic Context
5Chapter Summaries
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
Jump to other topics
1Narrative Structure
2Character Summaries
2.1Walton & Frankenstein
2.3Elizabeth, Justine & Henry
3Intertextuality & Allusions
3.1Intertextual References
3.2Philosophical & Scientific Theories
4Biographic Context
5Chapter Summaries
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
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