Creation, Exile, and Divine Authority: a Wendell Berry Critique of Frankenstein

This paper examines the character of Frankenstein from Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein in light of Wendell Berry’s essay titled “The Gift of Good Land.” Examining the interactions between these two works reveals the ways in which Frankenstein fails as a creator. This paper first explores Berry’s definitions of hubris, propriety, charity, and stewardship. Frankenstein demonstrates an excess of hubris which remains unchecked by propriety, in part due to his habit of isolation. As Frankenstein dictates his childhood education, discloses his inward desire for glory and authority over life and death. According to Berry, propriety governs and guides hubris. Frankenstein, however, deliberately chooses hubris as he begins to create life. In this process, he deliberately isolates himself from human community. Frankenstein’s lack of propriety then leads him to exhibit a selective charity, directly antithetical to Berry’s definition. This selective charity is revealed through Frankenstein’s emphasis on outward appearances, as well as his abandonment of his creature. Not only does this highlight Frankenstein’s failure as a creator, but it also furthers the theme of isolation. This is because Berry’s definition of charity relies on stewardship as the practical exercise of that charity. Frankenstein’s selective charity and lack of stewardship causes him to experience exile from both his creation and fellow humans. By leaning into hubris, Frankenstein eliminates his ability to exercise propriety. This in turn prevents him from showing charity to others, without which he cannot steward creation. Ultimately, Frankenstein’s decisions isolate him from humanity as he steps out of his role as creation into that of creator. Shelley’s influential novel explores questions such as how to be a creator and what one’s role is. Berry’s essay then provides the God-centered solution with Shelley lacks.