6.1.2
Science & Society
Science and Society
Science and Society
Shelley imagines the effect of science on society when it is left unchecked and uncensored.
Reanimation
Reanimation
- After the 18th/19th century, scientists such as Galvani and Aldini pioneered experiments which used electricity to ‘reanimate’ dead animals or decapitated criminal’s heads.
Body-snatching
Body-snatching
- The practice of ‘body-snatching’ became popular as financial rewards were given because of medical schools’ demands for cadavers.
- Certain groups of people in society became anxious about the development of science and the boundaries it was breaking.
Blasphemy
Blasphemy
- In a highly religious society, the idea of reanimating dead matter was seen as blasphemous and taboo; Shelley draws upon these fears in her novel.
Victor’s hubris
Victor’s hubris
- Victor’s hubris for being the first man to "banish disease from the human frame" by surpassing the natural ways of reproduction might seem far-fetched to a modern reader, but to a contemporary reader, they would have been afraid of these scientific developments.
- Shelley imagines the effect of science on society when it is left unchecked and uncensored.
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
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