Duality in Frankenstein

1. Duality in Frankenstein AP English IV Dual Credit 1302

2. What is a doppelganger? • A look-alike, literally a “double-goer” • An alter ego • A paranormal double of a living person • A doppelgänger is often perceived as a sinister form of bilocation and is regarded by some to be a harbinger of bad luck. In some traditions, a doppelgänger seen by a person's relative or friend portends illness or danger while seeing one's own doppelgänger is said to be an omen of death.

3. One may view the duality of Victor Frankenstein and his monster as an even greater force. Frankenstein and his creation may even represent one being -- two sides of a single entity forming a doppelganger relationship. • However, it is difficult to decipher which represent good and which represents evil -- the man or the monster. To some degree, they each represent both. By the end of the novel, the question of which character is the “monster” is left open to interpretation. • One would initially assume the monster is the evil, yet it is Frankenstein who creates the monster and then hides from the responsibility. His cowardice not only leads to the death of his younger brother, but also to that of the young girl accused of his murder. • The monster, in fact, has moments of great intellect and rationality. He even acts as a kind of conscience for Victor.

4. Two Halves= One Whole • It is important to consider Victor Frankenstein's duality and magnetism in today's perception of Frankenstein. • Because the man and the monster seem to be two halves of one being held together by magnetism, popular culture has confused the two. Dr. Frankenstein has become merely "the mad scientist," while his monster has become Frankenstein. • It is likely not coincidental that a monster would be given the name Frankenstein -- the name of a man who caused such uncontrolled destruction. This is again the doppelganger relationship of Frankenstein and his unnamed monster showing itself in the novel.

5. Ultimately, Shelley seems to use the doppelganger as yet another layer in her argument regarding the nature of humanity. • Human nature is not clear-cut and absolute—human action is an unknown force, one with which we daily reckon. • Shelley’s use of the doppelganger sheds light on this reality.

6. Sources • Wikipedia • http://public.wsu.edu/~delahoyd/frank.comment3.html • Mrs. Beard’s own brilliance 