Thinking Activity: A Cultural Studies Approach to Mary Shelley's Frankenstein

This blog is prepared as part of a thinking activity assigned by Prof. Dilip Barad at MKBU. It discusses Mary Shelley’s novel Frankenstein and analyzes its significance within the context of Cultural Studies. For more information, please visit the Teacher’s Blog.

Part 1: Revolutionary Births

The Creature as the Proletarian

The creature’s combination of innocence and rage reflects how society often perceives revolutions and the struggles of the oppressed. Because he looks and behaves differently, society immediately marks him as dangerous. This reflects how people who don’t conform to social norms are often seen as rebellious or threatening.

From a postcolonial perspective, however, his innocence becomes evident. His anger is a reaction to the cruelty and rejection he faces, not something inherent in him. Victor’s abandonment of his creation parallels how marginalized groups—such as enslaved or colonized communities—have been excluded and dehumanized. They are frequently stereotyped as “dangerous” merely for being different. Thus, the creature symbolizes the oppressed individual who seeks recognition and compassion, responding to injustice not from evil intent but from a deep human need to be acknowledged.

The Black Panther movement’s focus on self-defense and empowerment can be compared to both the Dalit Panther movement and the creature’s transformation—from silent suffering to organized resistance. All three illustrate the journey from helplessness to self-assertion and the fight for dignity and rights.

A Race of Devils

In Frankenstein, Mary Shelley explores themes of race and empire by portraying the creature as the ultimate “Other”—a figure feared and shunned simply for his difference. This mirrors the colonial mindset, where dominant powers dehumanized those who looked or acted differently. Victor Frankenstein’s response to his creation echoes that of the colonizer: he pursues knowledge and dominance without moral accountability. His fear of the creature stems from unfamiliarity, reflecting the colonial rejection of other races and cultures.

Shelley highlights how alienation breeds rebellion. When people are treated as outsiders, they often resist systems that deny them humanity. This dynamic has recurred throughout history and still resonates today, as societies continue to struggle with racial injustice, privilege, and systemic inequality. Shelley’s novel ultimately calls for empathy and inclusion—reminding readers that social healing begins with recognizing the shared humanity of those we label as “other.”

From Natural Philosophy to the Cyborg

Modern scientific advancements echo Frankenstein’s warning about unchecked human ambition. The novel cautions against the pursuit of knowledge without moral responsibility—an issue now resurfacing in fields like artificial intelligence and genetic modification. Technologies such as CRISPR raise questions about “designer babies,” eugenics, and social inequality, leading to what some call “biological elitism,” where only the privileged may access genetic enhancements.

This ethical dilemma mirrors Victor Frankenstein’s failure to foresee the consequences of his creation. Similarly, today’s innovations—whether in AI, robotics, or biotechnology—carry the potential for both progress and peril. Popular culture often revisits these anxieties through stories of rogue robots or genetically engineered beings that rebel against their makers.

Shelley’s message remains crucial: creation comes with responsibility. As we push the boundaries of science and technology, we must consider not just what we can do, but what we should do—ensuring that our innovations serve humanity rather than endanger it.

Part 2: The Frankenpheme in Popular Culture

First Film Adaptation and Popular Retellings

The fear of unchecked scientific progress has long been a recurring theme in literature, and Frankenstein captures it vividly. In the novel, Victor Frankenstein’s relentless quest for knowledge leads him to create life, but his refusal to accept responsibility for his creation turns achievement into catastrophe. The creature stands as a symbol of the unintended consequences of ambition without ethical restraint and the moral questions surrounding human experimentation.

As time passed, society’s outlook on science began to change. With the rise of new technologies such as artificial intelligence and genetic modification, fear has been replaced by a more balanced perspective—one that recognizes both the potential benefits and dangers of innovation. Modern versions of Frankenstein often portray the creature as a misunderstood and sympathetic being, emphasizing human cruelty and emotional neglect rather than innate monstrosity.

This reinterpretation reflects a broader cultural transformation: science is no longer viewed purely as a threat but as a tool that can advance humanity when guided by ethics and empathy. Still, Mary Shelley’s central warning remains relevant—scientific discovery, however revolutionary, must always be governed by moral awareness and responsibility for its outcomes.

Reading and Analysis

The creature’s self-education through books such as Paradise Lost, Plutarch’s Lives, and The Sorrows of Werter expands his understanding of humanity but also deepens his suffering. These texts introduce him to ideals of virtue, love, and civilization, yet they make him painfully aware of his isolation and lack of identity. He identifies with both Adam’s loneliness and Satan’s defiance, revealing his inner conflict between innocence and resentment. His intellectual awakening gives him moral insight, but his inability to experience human connection turns knowledge into torment. Thus, learning becomes a double-edged sword—enriching his mind while intensifying his emotional despair.

Film and Media Reflection

In early film adaptations, such as James Whale’s Frankenstein (1931), the creature is shown as both pitiful and terrifying—a reflection of the era’s fear of the unknown and anxiety about unrestrained scientific progress during industrialization. These versions served as cautionary tales, warning that technology without moral guidance could spiral out of control.

Later reinterpretations, like Blade Runner and Ex Machina, bring the Frankenstein myth into the age of artificial intelligence and bioengineering. They explore questions of consciousness, autonomy, and moral accountability—asking whether artificial beings deserve the same ethical consideration as humans. Recent portrayals tend to highlight the creature’s loneliness and rejection, depicting him less as a monster and more as a symbol of social exclusion. His suffering resonates with modern issues such as racial prejudice, marginalization, and identity crisis.

Ultimately, Frankenstein endures as a timeless narrative that evolves with each generation’s concerns. Its central message—a call for responsible innovation and human empathy—continues to speak to our age, reminding us that progress without conscience can easily become destruction.

References 

Barad, Dilip. “Thinking Activity: A Cultural Studies Approach to Frankenstein.” Reserchgate, Nov. 202AD, https://doi.org/10.13140/RG.2.2.24589.76005.

Barad,Dilip.  Why Are We so Scared of Robots / AIs? blog.dilipbarad.com/2019/03/why-are-we-so-scared-of-robots-ais.html.

“Eugenics: Its Origin and Development (1883 - Present).” Genome.gov, www.genome.gov/about-genomics/educational resources/timelines/eugenics.

Frankenstein; or, the Modern Prometheus. 5 Nov. 2024, www.gutenberg.org/cache/epub/84/pg84-images.html.

Levine, “the Ambiguous Heritage of Frankenstein.” knarf.english.upenn.edu/Articles/levine.html.

Lobdell, None. “Never Dead: Mary Shelley’s ≪Em≫Frankenstein≪/Em≫” Science Fiction Studies, vol. 47, no. 2, Jan. 2020, p. 253. https://doi.org/10.5621/sciefictstud.47.2.0253.