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Foreshadowing In Frankenstein

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Mary Shelley's novel Frankenstein examines the moral dilemmas brought on by scientific advancement. Victor Frankenstein, a young scientist in the story, uses science in unnatural ways to create a creature. Shelley poses questions about the ethics of science and the potential effects of unchecked scientific ambition through the lens of Victor's experiences. Through the use of imagery, characterization and foreshadowing, Shelley is able to convey the potential consequences of neglecting ethical consideration. One such tactic to convey characterization is the use of multiple narrators, which allows for various viewpoints on the story's events and emphasizes how complex the current problems are. The portrayal of the supporting characters, such …show more content…

Shelley establishes a somber and menacing tone early on, foreshadowing the tragic events that will take place. The frequent allusions to light and dark, life and death, and the natural world in opposition to the world of science all hint at the disastrous effects of Victor Frankenstein's obsession with producing life through science. A number of literary allusions and cautions, such as the biblical story of Adam and Eve, implies that playing God can have disastrous repercussions, which hint at the monster's creation. Victor says to "Learn from me... how dangerous is the acquirement of knowledge, and how much happier that man is who believes his native town to be the world, than he who aspires to become greater than his nature will allow" (Shelley 53). This quote sets the stage for the tragic events that will transpire later in the novel and foreshadows the perils that Victor Frankenstein will encounter as he seeks knowledge beyond the bounds of what is natural and safe. In the end, Shelley's use of foreshadowing in Frankenstein emphasizes the risks of pursuing science without taking the moral and ethical implications into account and serves as a warning against the idea of unchecked scientific

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