The Causes Of Tragedy ——A Study On The Dual Narrative Progression In Frankenstein

Numerous researchers at home and abroad have virtually studied the science fiction plot of Frankenstein from different perspectives.However,the current study on the causes of tragedy in the novel only remains in the overt plot development.Furthermore,there are certain conflicts or questions in the interpretation and the one-sided interpretation of the work.This thesis attempts to analyze the book by employing the theory of “Dual Narrative Progression” proposed by Shen Dan.Through the method of “overall-extended close reading,” this thesis attempts to dig out the covert progression hidden under the overt plot development in the story.That is,in the case of violating ethics and personal desires out of control,the tragedy is caused by the lack of affect and communication.The two narrative movements complement each other,creating complex characters,expressing rich thematic significance,and giving the novel its unique aesthetic value.The novel’s major clue is the tragedy of Frankenstein,the creature,and other characters caused by Frankenstein’s creation of an uncontrollable creature.The apparent cause of tragedy in the overt science fiction plot is that Frankenstein,driven by an out-of-control personal desire,breaches ethics and creates a “monster,” which leads to a sequence of disasters.However,this fails to explain some of the novel’s contradictions entirely.This thesis analyzes the text as a whole,including the title,beginning,middle,and end of the work,and uncovers an underlying undercurrent that runs throughout the text and is concealed beneath the plot development.During the covert progression investigation,it is found that Frankenstein and his creature have little or no proper affective guidance or sincere communication with the people around them during their growth and learning process,which not only makes Frankenstein more self-isolated,but also causes the creature to fail in repeated attempts to communicate with humans.Thus,human rejection compels the creature to alienate himself from the outside world.Furthermore,an examination of William,Elizabeth,and Clerval,who are strangled by the creature,reveals that their deaths are linked to the self-alienation of Frankenstein and the creature.Due to the creature’s unsatisfied yearning for affect and communication and people’s lack of empathy for the victims,tragedies are repeated in Frankenstein’s silence on the truth and the absence of empathy and communication between individuals.Without communication or affective interaction,self-alienated Frankenstein and the creature become “strangers” who cannot be accepted by human society and only end up in self-destruction.