Running head: REBELLION IN FRANKENSTEIN 1

Rebellion in Frankenstein

Name

Institution
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Rebellion in Frankenstein

Statement of Intention

I chose the prompt of rebellion and applied it as the main theme with particular regard

to Frankenstein’s scientific curiosity. Considering the fact that Elizabeth was one of the

characters who witnessed firsthand her husband’s agonizing moments with the monster and

later fell victim to the monster’s wrath, I used her voice to speak to Frankenstein on the perils

of unchecked scientific curiosity. His effort to create life constitutes an act of rebellion

against God, nature, and morality. I imagined that Elizabeth had expressed concerns over the

matter to Frankenstein shortly before she was murdered. Given her nature as a deeply

religious individual from a humble background, I imagined that she must have known and

disapproved of Frankenstein amoral experimentation.

I tried to imitate Shelley’s writing style in regard to both style and vocabulary. My

intention was to achieve the closest approximation to the manner in which Shelley portrayed

the perils of excessive scientific curiosity. My take was that Frankenstein’s ideas and

practices constituted some form of rebellion against both religion and morals. The bottom

line is that the act of creating a human being constitutes a gross transgression against God.

Therefore, the perspective in this story is that the afflictions that followed Frankenstein from

the moment he brought the creature into life constitute some form of punishment for his

rebellion.

From Elizabeth

To My Beloved Husband, Victor Frankenstein

I write this letter with a heavy heart since I understand the psychological turmoil that

you have incurred following the outcome of your experiment. I am very clear in my mind that

you are the man I love the most on this frightening planet. I loved you from the day I knew

you and I resolve to love you more and more and the days, weeks, months, and years drag on.
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I am certain that you can recall the way this bond between us began developing shortly after

your dear mother’s demise. Those unhappy days after your mother passed on were my

harshest because I was always distraught to see you forlorn and despondent as you reflected

on the meaning of life. I could relate to your distress because my personal experiences have

taught me that death is always a terrible finality.

Although I was deeply saddened after you left to join the university, I knew that the

experience would help you pursue your dream to become a great scientist and a passionate

contributor to the development of knowledge. Your childhood friend Henry Clerval and I felt

that we should have accompanied you to the university but there was no chance for us

(Shelley, 2007). In those difficult times, all I hoped for was that you would turn out to be the

greatest scientist of all times. Even today, I look at you and I see Albert Einstein, Isaac

Newton, and Copernicus all rolled into one. That is why I grief as I see you tortured by the

harsh realities that have engulfed your life lately. You told me a lot about the distinguished

Professor Waldman and his inspiring presence in your life. He encouraged you to keep

scaling the heights of science to the furthest limits.

I cherished him then, but not now. Forgive me my dear husband but I believe that the

good old professor should have included in his inspiring presence some measure of morality.

I can recall vividly that the professor promised you and others that you would become the

greatest scientists of all times (Shelley, 2007). I know now as I knew then that you were his

favorite student and he somehow used you to fulfill his personal fancies. It is noble to explore

the frontiers of scientific knowledge, but it is grossly improper to usurp the role of the

creator. The monster that torments us now is the consequence of transgressing against the

laws of God and the requirements of morality. How shall we live in peace when an atrocious

phantom lurks somewhere in dark waiting to pounce on any one of us? I do not know the

harm he intends to cause us but God forbid that he should ruin our marriage.
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All along, I have held on the conviction that science and morality can fit in the same

sentence without impinging on morality. God the supreme creator intended mankind to

deploy the full extent of his knowledge and discover that delights of nature. He did not create

you with the exceptional scientific skills that you no doubt possess and intend you to forgo

their use. Life is sacred and we should not pretend to mimic God in creating others of our

kind. It was only two yours after you joined university that you embarked on your discoveries

with earnest resolve. The machine you invented encouraged you to explore ways of putting

life into dead things (Shelley, 2007). I consider that as an act of rebellion that should not have

happened for any reason. When we rebel against God, we are certain to incur His full wrath.

My dear husband, don’t you think that we are currently incurring that wrath.

The monster you created is on the prowl killing and maiming those you love and

cherish. Who is next my darling? It appears as though its vengeance knows no bounds. My

dearest, I am not admonishing you for having created this atrocious foe because I know that

deep in your heart you are the kindest creature that ever walked the earth surface. All I am

asking that if we survive the monster’s wrath and if you manage to vanquish it, kindly direct

your scientific energies to the good of humanity. God blessed you with a good heart that you

may help his people. Even your professor asked you to use to deploy the full extent of your

intellectual resources to help the world (Shelley, 2007). With love, I implore you to desist

from any action that may vaguely suggest some aspect of rebellion against God. We must be

ethical in all our dealings whether private or public.

Finally, I wish to remind you to take courage and feel my love at this trying moments.

You have endured numberless afflictions since your childhood and I know that you shall

remain steadfast in your pursuit of the noble achievements. It is quite normal for anyone to

stray from the course of morality, provided that they adjust their moral course and live in

accordance with the will of God. My prayer is that you overcome your current challenges and
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reclaim your happiness to the fullest. In the fullness of time, we should all be able to rejoice

and praise the Maker for the gift of life and his forgiveness. This damned creature that

torments your peace must surely meet its doom at the appointed hour.

Your Loving Wife

Elizabeth.
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Reference

Shelley, M. (2007). Frankenstein. New York: Pearson Education.