Dark Science and Damned Souls: Ethics and Gothic in Marry Shelley’s Frankenstein

Abstract

Frankenstein by Mary Shelley provides a thorough examination of the moral ramifications of unbridled intellectual ambition and the human yearning to surpass natural boundaries. Through the tragic tale of victor Frankenstein and his creation Mary Shelley combines gothic themes with moral analysis to show that true monstrosity is found in indifference, neglect, and the lack of compassion rather than in outward appearance. This paper explores the novel’s ethical, emotional, and gothic aspects examining the conflict between creator and creation, societal bias, and the fallout from pursuing ambition without empathy. This Study examines textual evidence and intertextual references such as paradise lost to show how Marry Shelley creates a story that is both horrifying and ethically enlightening.