A Research On Three Paradoxes In The Novel "Frankenstein"

Mary Shelley’s novel "Frankenstein" has a special place in the history of Englishliterature. It is not only a masterpiece of the Gothic novel, and more to be regarded asthe first Western science fiction ever since, its impact on future generations thatcontinues today. The author believes that there are three paradoxes in the fiction.Thefirst is the paradox relationship between the novel and "Paradise Lost",as therepresentative of the Western tradition of elite culture.The second is between thefiction and Mary Shelley’s father,William Godwin.The third is the different attitudebetween the novel and Romanticsim on the concept of "imagination".The first chapter analyzes the paradox relationship between the novel and thepoem "Paradise Lost". As a masterpiece of the Gothic novel,"Frankenstein" inheritedthe tradition of such novel use of the traditional elite culture to defend themselveswhile also issued a questioning voice for traditional elite culture. On the one hand,"Frankenstein" used the myth structure of "Paradise Lost", given the keyword"Fallen" in this long poem on the two main characters of the novel. But on the otherhand,"Frankenstein" put satirical imitation on "Paradise Lost" and questioned thesanctity of God made man. Chapter2restores the background and the creative processof the noverl.By the detailed analysis of the novel text, the author thinks"Frankenstein" is the dialogue between Mary Shelley and her father,WilliamGodwin.From this perspective,"Frankenstein" is not only simply vent the aunthor’sanger to her father, it is also the criticism on her father’s education and self-servingpolitical theory. The third chapter focuses on the understanding of the concept of"Imagine" in the novel, and compares for the different attitudes of the "Imagine" with Romanticism. Admittedly,"Frankenstein" is a full of romantic element works, butpresents different attitude of understanding of the word "Imagine".Mary Shelleythought it is extremely harmful if the imagination is excessive.