Secrecy in the Novel Frankenstein Daniel Cooper, Allie Justice, Abby Wheeler, Kevin Van Wert

What is “secrecy?” Secrecy - the withholding of information from another for personal gain Where have we seen secrecy? Alladin keeps his poverty a secret in the movie Alladin in order to win over Princess Jasmine. In the movie Matilda, Matilda keeps her powers to levitate a secret and only shares them with her teacher, Miss Honey, out of fear that if her parents found out, she would be isolated even more.

Thesis Statement In the novel Frankentsein, by Mary Shelley, the theme of secrecy is utilized through Victor’s scientific endeavors, the distance from his family and friends, and the obstruction of justice before the court in order or persuade the reader that his actions were the best option in his situation, and therefore justified.

Victor’s scientific endeavors were kept secret in order to avoid his family’s despair and disapproval. “Or whither does your senseless authority lead you? Would you also create for yourself and the world a demoniacal enemy? Please, peace! Learn my miseries and do not seek to increase your own.” (Shelley 200) Victor was willing to let other people die. If his family and friends had found out, they may have shunned him just as much as the monster was. The scientific community could have misused his knowledge. “And was I really as mad as the whole world believed me to be if I disclosed the object of my suspicious?” (Shelley 199) If he told people what he did, they would not believe him. Shows self doubt.

The distance from Victor’s family and friends was intended to keep his focus strictly on his work, and keep otherworldly distractions at bay. “I then reflected, and the thought made me shiver, that the creature whom I had left in my apartment might still be there, alive and walking about. I dreaded to behold this monster, but I feared still more that Henry should see him.” (Shelley 46-47) If Henry found out, the focus would be more on the monster and not Victor’s achievements (selfishness). Shows that not only physical, but mental distance kept Victor from his family.

Distance (cont.) “Nay, Henry might stand between me and the intrusion of my foe. If I were alone would he not at times force his abhorred presence on me to remind me of my task or to contemplate its progress.” (Shelley 142) Victor wanted to distance himself from Henry in order to make it easier to focus on his work. The faster he ousted Henry’s presence, the faster Victor could focus on the true work at hand: the creation of a new monster and his subsequent freedom.

In Justine’s trial, the obstruction of justice on Victor’s part was an effort to preserve his image within the community. “My first thought was to discover what I knew of the murder and caused instant pursuit to be made. But I paused when I reflected on the story that I had to tell. A being whom I myself had formed and endued with life, had met me at midnight among the principles of an inaccessible mountain… These reflections determined me and I resolved to remain silent.” (Shelley 64) People would not have believed Victor, and dismissed him as a mad man. Victor was self-centered and more worried of being punished for his creation (and hence his responsibility) and proceeded to let others take the fall for him.

Obstruction of justice (cont.) “And was I really as mad as the whole world would believe me to be if I disclosed the object of my suspicious?” (Shelley 72) People may not have understood his reasoning behind doing what he did. - Victor would have been ousted from his community (much like the monster had been) after having been convicted.