Books in Mary Shelley’s Book Frankenstein; or, The Modern Prometheus as Markers for a Philosophical Message

Mary Shelley’s book Frankenstein; or, The Modern Prometheus is a nexus for many books, appearing within it as allusions, quotes, and as physical artifacts. These books, in their various forms, are of major importance because they relate to the very essence of the story, serving as markers of its philosophical message. The first one of these is the title itself, which evokes the myth of Prometheus and its subsequent revisions. “Prometheus” is a whole enfilade of books, and a word/ symbol whose decoding may help reveal the main theme of Mary Shelley’s novel. The books that appear further on in the novel – The Rime of the Ancient Mariner by S.T. Coleridge, Milton’s Paradise Lost, and others – read by both Victor Frankenstein and the Creature, create a profound multi-layered content. Mary Shelley’s own book appears in the books of other writers who define the principal points of The Modern Prometheus, each immersing themselves into the realm of Frankenstein’s story through their own artistic form. Over the years various film directors, theater, and ballet producers have drawn from Mary Shelley’s story. Some of the later adaptations, in which books — even in their physical form — are highlighted, prove to be rather profound. Ultimately, all the books that appear in various forms within the novel, as well as in its interpretations, offer a key to unlocking both the historical and prophetic subtexts of Mary Shelley’s text, as well as its unfading relevance.