Mary's Use Of Darwin's Theory example essay topic

427 words
Scientific development was a large part of life during Mary Shelley's time. Charles Darwin, an important scientific figure with his theories of evolution, was a personal friend of Mary's husband Percy, so science was not an ignored topic in her life. On the night that Mary dreamed the story Frankenstein, they had discussed previously that evening evolution, galvanism and other topics dealing with science. So it was not strange that she had this dream since science was not something new to her life.

In Frankenstein it is apparent that Mary used some of Charles Darwin's theories to write this gripping novel. The foundation of Darwin's Theory of Evolution is that the members of a population, with characteristics that are most suitable for the local environment, are the ones who are most likely to survive to have greater numbers of offspring. Without the strong characteristics, these creatures will not survive. This idea is typically expressed by saying something like "only the fit survive" or simply that there is a rule of "survival of the fittest". Mary Shelley through her novel Frankenstein shows this thought on "survival of the fittest".

Victor creates the monster and then abandons him, leaving him to survive on his own without any guidance. The monster, by learning on his own and teaching himself to read, speak and survive, shows this theory of "survival of the fittest". Darwin also states that we are a species that "evolved" from a former living creature and that is the reason as to why we have no characteristics similar to anyone else. Mary Shelley shows this theory through the creating of the monster.

Victor constructs this monster by using different body parts and pieces from previous living people. Everyone has something in common with either one or both of their parents but the monster in Frankenstein had nothing in common with anyone because he was composed of many different people. His search for being "like" someone portrays Darwin's theory of evolving. The monster had an understanding of how he was created and by "knowing" he just "came about", displays Mary's use of Darwin's theory. The relationship between Darwin's theory and Frankenstein is clearly noticeable through the writings of Mary Shelley. Because of Mary's familiarity with Darwin's theory, she presents his theory well in her classic novel Frankenstein.

The development of the monster and how he learned to survive is a distinct representation of Charles Darwin's theory on evolution and creation.