The novel Frankenstein written by Mary Shelley displays more than a ghost story of a grotesque, violent monster hated

by its creator. It shows the unhealthy pursuit of power and the desire for truth. It also demonstrates a need for feminism with its condemnation of the few inactive and passive women of the novel. Frankenstein opens up with Captain Walter determined to see if there is a faster passage past north America by going to the North Pole. On an ice sheet he discovers Victor Frankenstein who he takes aboard his ship and nurses back to health. The beginning of Frankensteins story tells of his childhood with meeting his love, philosophy foreshadowing his downfall, and his belief in men protecting women due to their weaknesses. When Victor was younger, he tells of how his mother adopted a young girl around his age named Elizabeth. When brought home Victor thought I, with childish seriousnesslooked upon Elizabeth as mine--mine to protect, love and cherish. He kept this promise later on by marrying her later in the novel. However he explains how he threw tantrums and often let his passion consume him. He was unable to calm down unless Elizabeth was there to console him. Elizabeth represents his common sense and sanity, which he loses when he isnt around her. In the first chapter we are told that Victor thoroughly enjoys reading and wants to dissect the meaning of life. Upon reading a book his father disliked Frankenstein foreshadowed his weakness on how he would pursue knowledge even if it meant disregarding societys ideas. He witnesses a lightning storm, which represents how human become fascinated with forces they cannot control. In this way Frankenstein is destined to create his monster.

The women in the novel are few and are generally perceived as relaxed and in need of a male. Mary Shelley is trying to portray how the monster that attacks the women is societys way of suppressing them. It could also be a punishment for not seeking equality to men more fervently. From the start, his mother and Elizabeth are always portrayed as innocent and in need of protection. With Frankensteins elaborate themes and symbolism it can easily be an entertaining story as well as an enlightening one. The vivid characterization of Victor lets us understand his nature and his future decisions. We also understand how Walter is similar with his quest to go against the norm to make a discovery. However Walter is lucky to have discovered Victor almost as a warning of what may happen when the pursuit of truth takes over a life.