Book Review: Frankenstein, or the Modern Prometheus

Everything I knew, which granted, wasn't much, about Frankenstein is wrong.  On a suggestion from one of my new favorite websites - The Art of Manliness - I decided to branch out and read some fiction in the form of Mary Shelley's Frankenstein, or the Modern Prometheus.  And I was pleasently surprised.

Unabridged, of course!

Like my last review, I don't think it's worth my time to write any sort of synopsis as there are many that do a much better job than I care to write.  Instead, just wanted to share some thoughts I had while read it.  (I'll keep it as spoiler-free as possible.)

Surprise #1 - Forget Everything You think You know about Frankenstein!
I might be late to the party here, but I didn't realize that Frankenstein wasn't the name of the monster, but rather the last name of the man who created him: Victor Frankenstein.  The monster isn't named throughout the entirety of the text and I don't think that's by accident.  Victor, who serves as the main narrator, comes to detest his living creation, and considering that people tend to affectionately name those who are close to them, like babies and pets, a lack of a name acts as a symbol of regret.  Bonus Surprise: Frankenstein isn't a lethargic, green-skinned man with bolts in his side.  Instead, just think of a giant, ugly man.

Surprise #2 - Fiction in the Real World
I used to read a little bit of sci-fi when I was younger, and most of them have a setting in an unbelievable world.  So I thought it was interesting that all the events occur in real places - real cities, real countries, and real towns.  In fact, the only aspect of the book that makes it fiction is  Frankenstein's monster.  So for someone like me who isn't big into fiction, it was easy for me to get engaged in the text.  On top of that, I was delighted and challenged by the language.  Maybe it's because I read the unabridged edition, but the diction throughout the book is at a high level and the descriptions are vibrant and interesting.  

Surprise #3 - Creation Implies Purpose
One of the reoccurring themes is the idea that the created should be created for a purpose.  Without giving too much away, it becomes evident that Shelley's is trying to convey that a life without purpose is a life of misery, destruction, and absolute despair.  I'm unsure of Shelley's personal or religious beliefs, but as I was reading, I couldn't help but think that it is important of us to know we are literally made in the image of our Creator.  Nothing should be created without a purpose, and anything created without a purpose is utterly useless and alone.  Plainly, creation and purpose must go hand-in-hand.

Surprise #4 - People are Meant to be Together
Imagine a world where you are the only person to have ever lived; no person has lived before you and no person will live after you.  The feeling of loneliness is about as close as misery as we can get, and Shelley ensures that you don't forget this while reading.  People are meant to be in community and to be together.  There are long, articulate sections where this idea is explored in-full, if you got time to read this short 200-page classic, I highly recommend it!

Rating: 4 out of 5

If You Learn from the Past - You're Still Doomed to Repeat It

Lent 2014: Entry #5

Out of all the different subjects I learned at school, history was probably the least exciting for me.  Of course, I did well for myself in global studies and US history, but I just never cultivated a love for it.  I even made it an effort to stay away from all the history classes offered to me when I went to college - and instead replaced them with literature, writing and social science classes.  To me, history just seemed to be a bunch of places, people and dates.  Maybe I just didn't connect with the right type of teachers to make it worthwhile for me.  (My tenth grade global teacher, I recall, threatened to throw me out of the window because I kept opening it before class.) 

But since graduating from college, my thoughts and interests on history have changed quite a bit.  (1) For starters, I've tried to understand my state, my country and my world a little better.  Whether it's local or global happenings, elections, foreign policy, war and conflict, or economy, at the very least, I try to have some clue of what is going on.  Ask me about something that happened pre-2004 though and I probably won't have too much to share.  (2) Through conversations with people, I have learned history is really in the eye of the beholder; not everyone views the same issue or event the same way.  People bring their biases, belief systems, and personal experiences into every conversation whether they intend to or not.  And that's not a bad thing, it's just the way it is.  (3)  And lastly, I've really grown in my theology and understanding of Christianity as a whole.  Andrea and I was able to take a systematic theology class a few years ago through our church, and in addition to that, I've been reading through my Bible very aggressively over the past few years.  I understand my Bible today much more than I ever have, and I thank God that He has given me the passion for it.

All this leads to a conversation I had with Andrea this weekend.  Maybe this wasn't the case with everyone, but I distinctly remember being taught two fairly important concepts about history in general:  (1) People in ancient and previous cultures were either unintelligent or weren't fully aware of the world around them, and as a result, they were conquered or destroyed because of their folly, and (2) the problems, and challenges, and conflicts we have today are unique.

However, I believe that both issues are one in the same.  As I read through the historical accounts in the Bible, many of the issues spots there are the same issues that plague us today.  We still have countries going to war over resources and territory.  Politicians and governments still struggle with others within and beyond their country's lines about domestic laws, religious freedoms, human rights and/or foreign policy.  Furthermore, society has always had a difficult time controlling and morally using technologies, whether it's the spear, printing press, manufacturing machines, or the Internet.  Today, we talk about how the Internet can be such a powerful tool for education, and the only thing America's youth use it for is degrading others on social media.

Sure, the objects, or the people, or the place might be different, but people continue to make the same mistakes over again.  It's not that we haven't learned our history, it's simply because were imperfect - we sin and we enjoy sinning.  It's our selfish desires that create a tragic history, and that hasn't changed from the first man Adam up through President Obama or any other person in between (expect Jesus, obviously).  The ancients weren't any more or less intelligent than we are.  Technology may be advancing, but the human race is not.  History, like math, doesn't lie.  You can have dozens of perspectives of the same event in history, but they are all going to tell you that it was a man's sin that started it all - despite their greatest intentions otherwise.

I guess the reason I'm writing this is that I'm feeling a little bit betrayed.  We were taught in school that if we learn from the past, then we won't repeat it.  But that's requires too much faith for me to believe that all seven billion of us can or even will choose to do the right thing.  Despite how much knowledge we possess, we still haven't tamed or disciplined our tongues, our thoughts, or our actions to anywhere close to perfection.  How can we possibly think that states, or countries, or alliances, or enemies will ever agree peaceably, when we can't even live in peace others, or really, even ourselves?

If I have learned anything from history, it's that we are going to continue to repeat it - whether we want to or not - until Jesus comes to save us all from ourselves.