A Psychoanalytic Reading Of Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein

Mary Shelley (1797-1851) is a world-known English female novelist. She gainedher reputation as she composed the first science fiction Frankenstein. Therefore, shewas also called as the Mother of the science fiction.Mary Shelley’s rich imagination is truly revealed in Frankenstein. Frankenstein isbased on the gothic novel with the writing of epistolary style combined with emotionalnarration. This novel manifests the writer’s great concern about human nature andhuman’s fate. Through describing the behaviors and psychological state of characters,this novel reveals that human’s libido and unconsciousness will cast huge influencesupon human’s fate, thus further probing into human nature. In this thesis, it is proposedthat the main character Frankenstein’s fate is closely related to his psychologicaldevelopment. The origin of his tragic life is his improper way of handling with theOedipus complex. Therefore, with the application of Freudian theory, this thesisattempts to make a psychoanalytic study of Frankenstein. In so doing, the thesis intendsto conclude that Frankenstein is an illustration of the Oedipus complex as well as aromantic exploration into human nature.First of all, with Freudian psychoanalysis, the thesis analyzes the main characterFrankenstein’s relationship with his mother and his father. And then the thesis tries toillustrate Frankenstein’s characteristics and behaviors in order to manifest thatFrankenstein was deeply influenced by the Oedipus complex. Next, the thesis arguesabout the human nature is derived from the Oedipus complex. The author believes thatthe human nature derived from the Oedipus complex is the basic part in the society andit is also the motivation for the replacement of authority and the development of thesociety. Finally, by analyzing the psychological state of Frankenstein, the thesis tries toprove that the influences of the Oedipus complex toward people.