Frankenstein; or, The Modern Prometheus
[Fremdsprachentexte] – Shelley, Mary – Weltliteratur in Originalsprache – englisch
📘 About This Book
Englische Literatur in Reclams Roter Reihe: das ist der englische Originaltext – ungekürzt und unbearbeitet mit Worterklärungen am Fuß jeder Seite, Nachwort und Literaturhinweisen. Mary Shelleys erstmals 1818 (anonym) veröffentlichter Roman ist zu einem Klassiker der Weltliteratur geworden und bis heute aktuell. Schon Viktor Frankenstein muss sich der Verantwortung für die von ihm geschaffene Kreatur stellen, mehr noch begibt sich der Mensch im 21. Jahrhundert durch seine Forschungen in Bereiche, die moralisch zweifelhaft sind und unkalkulierbare – heutzutage globale – Risiken mit sich bringen. Diese Ausgabe bietet den ungekürzten Text der von der Autorin 1831 überarbeiteten Fassung. Englische Lektüre: Niveau B2–C1. Inhaltliche Stichworte: Englische Romantik · Schauerliteratur · künstliches Leben E-Book mit Seitenzählung der gedruckten Ausgabe: Buch und E-Book können parallel benutzt werden.
📖 Summary
Frankenstein; or, The Modern Prometheus by Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley is a seminal work of Gothic horror and science fiction that explores the dangerous consequences of unchecked ambition and scientific overreach. The narrative is framed through a series of letters written by Captain Robert Walton, an arctic explorer whose ship becomes trapped in ice, where he rescues the exhausted and dying Victor Frankenstein. Victor recounts his tragic life story, beginning with his idyllic upbringing in Geneva and his obsessive fascination with natural philosophy and chemistry at the University of Ingolstadt. Driven by a desire to conquer death and unlock the secrets of life, Victor spends years secretly gathering body parts from charnel houses and slaughterhouses to construct a giant humanoid creature. Upon successfully bringing his creation to life, however, Victor is immediately horrified by its grotesque appearance and flees his laboratory in terror, abandoning the newborn being to the harsh realities of the world. The creature, possessing the mind of an infant in an adult body, is rejected and attacked by everyone he encounters due to his monstrous visage. Desperate for connection and understanding, the creature secretly educates himself by observing a peasant family and reading classic literature, but ultimately realizes he will never be accepted by humanity. Filled with a profound sense of loneliness and bitter resentment toward his creator for bringing him into existence to suffer, the creature vows revenge. He murders Victor's younger brother, William, and frames a beloved family servant, Justine, who is subsequently executed. When Victor and the creature finally confront each other on the glaciers of Mont Blanc, the creature demands that Victor fashion a female companion to end his isolation. Though Victor initially agrees, he destroys the half-completed mate in horror at the prospect of breeding a race of monsters. In retaliation, the creature murders Victor's best friend, Henry Clerval, and strangles Victor's new bride, Elizabeth, on their wedding night. Grief-stricken and consumed by vengeance, Victor pursues the creature across the frozen wastes of the Arctic until his own physical collapse brings him to Walton's ship. After recounting his cautionary tale, Victor dies, and the creature appears over his corpse, expressing deep remorse and a desire to commit suicide by fire, disappearing into the dark arctic ice. Shelley's masterpiece remains a profound meditation on empathy, responsibility, and the ethical boundaries of human ingenuity.
🎯 Key Lessons
💬 Notable Quotes
"I had worked hard for nearly two years, for the sole purpose of infusing life into an inanimate body. For this I had deprived myself of rest and health. I had desired it with an ardour that far exceeded moderation; but now that I had finished, the beauty of the dream vanished, and breathless horror and disgust filled my heart."
"I am malicious because I am miserable. Am I not shunned and hated by all mankind? You, my creator, would tear me to pieces and triumph; remember that, and tell me why I should pity man more than he pities me?"
"I do not fear the pain alone; but one argument is raised by which I am conquered. I am bound by a heavy chain, and I fear not that I shall be the victim of my own choice, but that I shall be the instrument of future mischief."
"Seek happiness in tranquility and avoid ambition, even if it be only the apparently innocent one of distinguishing yourself in science and discoveries."
"A human being in perfection ought always to preserve a calm and peaceful mind, and never to allow passion or a transitory desire to disturb his tranquillity. I do not think that the pursuit of knowledge is an exception to this rule."
"I had saved a human being from drowning, but as a recompense I now writhed under the miserable pain of a wound which shattered the flesh."
⚖️ Pros & Cons
✅ Pros
Groundbreaking exploration of sci-fi and Gothic themes that anticipated modern ethical debates.
Rich, atmospheric prose and deeply philosophical framing narrative.
Complex character development, particularly the psychological depth of both Victor and the creature.
⚠️ Cons
Pacing can feel slow and overly dramatic to modern readers accustomed to fast-paced thrillers.
The heavy use of frame narratives and epistolary style may require patience.
✍️ About the Author
❓ FAQ
Is this book worth reading? +
Yes, it is a foundational masterpiece of Western literature that offers profound insights into human nature, ethics, and science.
How long does it take to read? +
Typically, it takes about 4 to 6 hours to read, as it is a relatively short novel of around 70,000 words.
What is the main message? +
The main message is that humanity must take responsibility for its creations and actions, and that neglect and cruelty breed monstrosity.
