Abstract

Frankenstein, a masterpiece of Mary Shelley, is regarded as the first science fiction in the modern sense. Victor Frankenstein, the protagonist of this book, creates a creature out of his crazy pursuit of natural philosophy. However, he discards the creature due to his ugly appearance. After experiencing so little warmth from human beings, the innately kind monster takes fierce revenge on his creator, resulting in the miserable fate of both of them.

     Since 1970, this popular fiction has received extensive discussion, ranging from feminism to psychoanalysis and to Oedipus Complex. It seems there are relatively few reviews which put the spiritual evolution as their priority. As a result, this thesis, is an attempt to create a new understanding of Frankenstein by applying the angle of spiritual evolution. In this thesis, Frankenstein’s spiritual evolution falls into three stages: obsession, disappointment, and anguish.

Key words: Mary Shelley; Frankenstein; obsession; disappointment; anguish

Contents

Abstract

摘要

1 Introduction-1

2 Obsession with Natural Philosophy-3

2.1 The influence from Frankenstein’s Early Experience-3

2.2 Reckless Ambition When Frankenstein Grows Up-5

3 Disappointment with His Creation-8

3.1 Loss of Dream-8

3.2 Fear and Despair-9

4 Hatred and Revenge-13

4.1 Revenge-13

4.2 Introspection-14

5 Conclusion-16

Bibliography-18

Acknowledgments-18