Comparing Obsession in Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein and Aldous Huxley’s

Comparing Obsession in Mary Shelleys Frankenstein and Aldous Huxleys After Many A Summer Dies the SwanAuthors leave fingerprints on the works they write. Underneath the tosh, hidden amidst the words, lies a world gull, a concept of humankindity, a message. Mary Shelleys Frankenstein is an entertaining story meant to give the reader goose bumps late at night, but the telling of the story also reveals Shelleys concept about the basic fabric of human nature. In the kindred way Aldous Huxley in After Many A Summer Dies the Swan weaves a tale that is part story and part translation on how humans interact and think and self-destruct. In Frankenstein, Mary Shelley portrays obsession as an anomalous aspect of human behavior resulting when people move past from their basically good nature, while Aldous Huxley portrays obsession as the most intrinsic of all human qualities. This paper will contrast the basic views presented in to each one book about the origin of obsession and its relati on to human nature, giving examples of how the authors views are embodied in their characters. In the novel Frankenstein, Mary Shelley presents a view of human nature that is largely positive so long as it does not wander into the dangerous realm of obsession. Shespeaks of human endeavors and discoveries as being worth(predicate) and good. The young Victor is enchanted by scientists who have performed miracles by penetrating the recesses of nature (45). The discovery and contemplation of the natural world is a means by which characters find serenity and calm, and thus come in tune with the beauty of their humanity. In the midst of the sublime wilderness, even Victor contemplates divine ideals of liberty and self-immolation (1... ...nts human nature as basically good aside from the selfish obsession perpetuated by withdrawal fromnormal society and human behavior. Huxley offers a bleaker view, portray self-obsession as an innate quality ensnaring all of his characters unless they are freed to transcend their humanity and seek another level of consciousness. If Shelley and Huxley were here today, debating the merits of their stance, Shelley may might let the cat out of the bag the words of Pete Boone, I suppose Ive been too optimistic. And Huxley, adjusting his thick glasses, might reply as Propter did, Too optimistic in certain directions, and at the same time too pessimistic in others (188). Works CitedHuxley, Aldous. After Many a Summer Dies the Swan. Mattituck, New York American Reprint Company, 1976. Shelley, Mary. Frankenstein. New York Barnes and Noble Classics. 2003.