Frankenstein; or, The Modern Prometheus
Frankenstein; or, The Modern Prometheus is a novel written by English author Mary Shelley (1797–1851) Frankenstein follows Victor, a scientist on a mission to create new life from old carcasses.
From the preface:
The event on which this fiction is founded has been supposed, by Dr Darwin, and some of the physio- logical writers of Germany, as not of impossible occurrence. I shall not be supposed as recording the remotest degree of serious faith to such an imagination; yet, in assuming it as the basis of a work of fancy, I have not considered myself as merely weaving a series of supernatural terrors. The event on which the interest of the story depends is exempt from the disadvantages of a mere tale of spectres or enchantment.
It was recommended by the novelty of the situations which it develops; and, however impossible as a physical fact, affords a point of view to the imagination for the delineating of human passions more comprehensive and commanding than any which the ordinary relations of existing. events can yield. I have thus endeavoured to preserve the truth of the elementary principles of human nature, while I have not scrupled to innovate upon their combinations.
The ''Iliad," the tragic poetry of Greece; Shakspeare, in the " Tempest" and ''Midsummer Night's Dream"; and most especially Milton, in " Paradise Lost," — conform to this rule; and the most humble novelist, who seeks to confer or receive amusement from his labours, may, without presumption, apply to prose fiction a license, or rather a rule, from the adoption of which so many exquisite combinations of human feeling have resulted in the highest specimens of poetry.
The opinions which naturally spring from the character and situation of the hero are by no means to be conceived as existing always in my own conviction; nor is any inference justly to be drawn from the following pages as prejudicing any philosophical doctrine of whatever kind. It is a subject also of additional interest to the author, that this story was begun in the majestic region where the scene is principally laid, and in society which cannot cease to be regretted. I passed in the summer of 1816 in the environs of Geneva.
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