Mary Shelly’s novel, Frankenstein, is one of the greatest works of literature of all time. The author goes on to leave a lasting impression on the minds of the readers with the excellent aesthetic charm and emotional appeal of the novel in context. The literary artist shows her skills as a creative artist as she portrays her content via the use of effective literary elements. Now, this novel goes on to show inter-textual references that only work to enhance the charm and literary excellence of the work by Shelly. A close introspection of the novel in context enables one to have a much better understanding of the work and the significance of the inter-textual references in the course of the narrative.
For instance, one of the most understandable inter-textual references is the use of the expression “Modern Prometheus.” As such, the readers come to comprehend that there is a deliberate allusion to ancient Greek mythology that explains the story of Prometheus who was the creator of human. Thus, the author goes on to use much deeper meaning to the text in context. Apart from this, a number of inter-textual references can be found pointing to the creation stories like Paradise Lost and Genesis. These comparisons work to show Victor as a God-like figure while the monster is his ultimate creation. One can notice that there are understandable commonalities between Divine Comedy: Inferno by Dante and the text by Mary Shelly. Here in the novel one finds the relationship between the creation and the creator building up the very core element of the entire narrative. Also, in Dante’s work, one finds the equation of the creator and the creation with one another. Indeed, these parallels give affective appeal and literary charm to this work by Shelly.
At one point of time in the course of the narrative of this novel, Victor says to Walton, “when I reflect that you are pursuing the same course, exposing yourself to the dangers which have rendered me what I amyou may deduce an apt moral from my tale; one that may direct you if you succeedand console you in case of failure.” (Shelly 39) Thus, Victor lets Walton know that his story would affect the view of Walton toward life and existence. Likewise, in the literary work by Dante, Virgil warns the author regarding his fate if he continued to live in the same way. Thus, it can very well be said that the way Victor tells his story to Walton is similar to Virgil escorting Dante through the deadly Hell. As such, the author of this novel shows her skillfulness as she inserts the inter-textual reference in this story.
It would be correct to conclude that there is ample scope of exploring the content of the novel in context if one talks about the inter-textual references of the narrative. The references show the skill of Mary Shelly. Inter-textual references also reaffirm the words of the famous literary critic, Roland Barthes, that text is nothing but a tissue of quotations with the author finding inspiration from the works that are already existent in time. Here, one finds Mary Shelly adding to the narrative of the novel with the same things that can be found in other literary works. But, it is her excellence of presentation and the uniqueness of content that produces the perfect mixture to stir the minds of the readers. Thus, Frankenstein can be found to be a very good work of literature that impresses in the best way.
Works Cited
Shelly, Mary Wollstonecraft. “Frankenstein.” Planetebook. Planetebook.com, n.d. Web.
