Abstract

Mary Shelly occupies a prominent position in the world literature, whose work Frankenstein is regarded as the first scientific fiction novel in the world. The historical background sets in the beginning of the 19th century, during which western countries were under the influence of two grand reformations – Enlightenment and Industrial Revolution. Under such climate, people sobered up and broke the shackles of religious bondage, and their passions to science surged to an unprecedented extent. Thus the story of the scientist Frankenstein was coined.

This paper looks at the ethical facet, analysing Frankenstein’s dereliction, the causes of the monster’s transformation, and the moral issues existed in the society from the angles of respect of life, duty and care, goodness and wickedness, justice  and injustice, right and obligation.

The first part is the explicit introduction of Mary Shelley’s biology, the historical background and the literature review of Frankenstein. The second part is the main body of the paper. The first chapter focuses on the ethical problems of Frankenstein during the experiment, including disrespect for life, indifference of family, lack of duty, and breach of deal. The second chapter analyses the goodness and evilness in the monster and its rights of being created as a “man”. The third chapter is the ethical introspection of the whole society, demonstrating as people’s exclusionary attitude towards the monster and lacking in justice of the society. After expounding the ethical thoughts on Frankenstein, the paper draws its conclusion.

Key words: Frankenstein  ethics  ethical introspection

Content

摘要：

Abstract:

Introduction-1

Chapter One The Ethical Problems of Frankenstein-4

1.1 Frankenstein’s Disrespect for Life-4

1.2 Frankenstein’s Malpractice for Family and Society-6

1.3 Frankenstein’s Abandonment of His Creation-7

1.4 Frankenstein’s Broken Commitment to the Monster-8

Chapter Two The Moral Analysis of the Monster-9

2.1 The Goodness and Wickedness in the Monster-10

2.2 The Monster’s Right to Pursue Love, Happiness and Affiliation to Society-13

Chapter Three The Ethical Introspection in the Social Context-15

3.1 People’s Exclusionary Attitude towards the Monster-15

3.2 The Deficiency of Social Justice-17

Conclusion-19

Bibliography-21

Acknowledgements-22