Intertextuality

Intertextuality: Prometheus

Intertextuality is a technique in which writers use references or hints to other texts in order to add deeper meaning to their own writing.

Shelley's use of intertextuality

Shelley uses the technique of intertextuality in order to draw parallels between her characters.
She also draws parallels with characters from other texts.
Sometimes she uses explicit quotations from other texts, whilst at other times the allusions are more subtle.

Shelley and Prometheus

Shelley gave her novel an alternative title of ‘The Modern Prometheus’, and so clearly wanted the reader to consider the parallels between her story and that of the Prometheus myth.

Two versions

There are two versions of the Prometheus story and it is possible to make connections with both.
In the Greek version of the myth, Prometheus wants to help humanity and so steals fire from the gods, for which they punish him eternally.
In the Roman version of the myth, Prometheus creates man himself, from clay.

Paralells

Victor can be read as a ‘Modern Prometheus’ for two reasons:
- He goes against the workings of nature (and the gods) by creating his own creation which he believes will benefit mankind.
- He receives ongoing punishment, just as Prometheus did in the Roman myth.

Intertextuality: The Rime of the Ancient Mariner

Intertextuality is a technique in which writers use references or hints to other texts in order to add deeper meaning to their own writing.

Parallels

When recounting his actions immediately following his desertion of the Monster, Victor uses a quotation from Coleridge's long poem 'The Rime of the Ancient Mariner':
- "he knows a frightful fiend / Doth close behind him tread."

Importance

Shelley uses a footnote to reference this quotation.
- This implies she wants the reader to recognise the similarities between Victor and the protagonist of Coleridge's poem.

The story

In 'The Rime of the Ancient Mariner', Coleridge tells the story of a sailor kills an albatross (a seabird considered to be symbol of good luck).
He is then held responsible for the misfortunes of his crew, and is eventually stalked by personifications of Death.

Hidden hints

In creating this link between the two characters, Shelley could be seen to be foreshadowing Victor's eventual fate, in his mutual and never-ceasing pursuit of the creature.

Intertextuality: Paradise Lost

The links to this poem are hugely important, particularly for the Monster, who identifies with both Adam and Satan, seeing Victor as his 'God' figure.

Importance

John Milton’s epic poem ‘Paradise Lost’ tells the story of the Fall of Man.
Shelley uses a quotation from the poem as the epigraph to her novel:
- "Did I request thee, Maker, from my clay.
  To mould me Man? Did I solicit thee
  From darkness to promote me?"
The Monster sees Victor as his 'God' figure and so strongly identifies with both Adam and Satan.

The Creators and their creations

Upon reading the poem, the Monster is immediately able to identify the parallels between his own position and that of God's first creation, Adam.
However, the fact that Adam is adored by God makes the Monster feel more upset about his own position, as his creator, who should have treated him in a similar way, instead abandoned him.

The Monster's interpreatation

"Like Adam, I was apparently united by no link to any other being in existence; but...[he] had come forth from the hands of God a perfect creature, happy and prosperous, guarded by the especial care of his Creator...but I was wretched, helpless, and alone." (Volume Two: Chapter 7)

Complexity

The Monster himself suggests a link between the way he feels and the feelings that Satan had upon being cast out of heaven.
This demonstrates self-awareness of the part of the Monster, and also allows Shelley to create a more complex character.

Relating to Satan

"Many times I considered Satan as the fitter emblem of my condition; for often, like him, when I viewed the bliss of my protectors, the bitter gall of envy rose within me." (Volume Two: Chapter 7)

1Plot Summaries

1.1Volume I

1.1.1Letters I-IV

1.1.2Chapters 1-3

1.1.3Chapters 4-6

1.1.4Chapters 7-8

1.1.5End of Topic Test - Volume I

1.2Volume II

1.2.1Chapters 1-3

1.2.2Chapters 4-6

1.2.3Chapters 7-9

1.2.4End of Topic Test - Volume II

1.3Volume III

1.3.1Chapters 1-3

1.3.2Chapters 4-6

1.3.3Chapter 7 & Walton in Continuation

1.3.4End of Topic Test - Volume III

2Characters

2.1Victor Frankenstein

2.1.1Role

2.1.2Quotations

2.1.3End of Topic Test - Victor Frankenstein

2.2The Monster

2.2.1Role

2.2.2Quotations

2.2.3End of Topic Test - The Monster

2.2.4Grade 9 - The Monster Question & Extract

2.3Other Characters

2.3.1Robert Walton

2.3.2Elizabeth Lavenza

2.3.3Alphonse Frankenstein

2.3.4Henry Clerval

2.3.5Justine Moritz

2.3.6The De Laceys

2.3.7End of Topic Test - Walton, Elizabeth & Alphonse

2.3.8End of Topic Test - Henry, Justine & the De Laceys

3Key Themes

3.1Ambition & Pursuit of Knowledge

3.1.1Presentation

3.1.2Key Quotations

3.2Prejudice

3.2.1Presentation & Key Quotations

3.3Justice

3.3.1Presentation & Key Quotations

3.3.2End of Topic Test - Ambition, Prejudice & Justice

3.4Companionship & Family

3.4.1Presentation & Key Quotations

3.5Revenge

3.5.1Presentation & Key Quotations

3.6Monstrosity

3.6.1Presentation

3.6.2Key Quotations

3.7Gender

3.7.1Presentation

3.7.2Key Quotations

3.7.3Key Themes - Companionship, Revenge & More

4Authorial Method

4.1Genre & Intertextuality

4.1.1Genre

4.1.2Intertextuality

4.1.3End of Topic Test - Genre & Intertextuality

4.2Form & Structure

4.2.1Form

4.2.2Structure

4.3Settings & Symbolism

4.3.1Settings

4.3.2Symbolism

4.4Imagery & Doubling

4.4.1Imagery

4.4.2Doubling

4.4.3End of Topic Test - Structure, Settings & More

5Context

5.1Context

5.1.1Mary Shelley

5.1.2Time of Writing

5.1.3End of Topic Test - Context

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