Alhumaydhi 1

Hadeel Alhumaydhi

Dr. Monique Akassi

Bowie State University

13 May 2014

Analysis of Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein: Cultural Studies and Critical Social Theory

Abstract

Over the years, cultural studies have led to a better understanding of culture and the

functioning of the society. Since its integration in the British academia and extensive adoption by

other countries the globe over, the influence of cultural studies on the existence of humankind

has been undeniably great. There has been a constant need for research on the issue for a better

understanding of culture, cultural practices, and the different activities that people in the society

undertake that seem not only to affect the political, social, and economic spheres but every other

aspect of existence. With a consideration of all these, this paper examines the issue of cultural

studies through different approaches. It employs the critical social theory in doing so and focuses

on a deep analysis of Mary Shelley’s gothic thriller novel, Frankenstein. Consequently, the

analysis focuses on the historical background of the cultural studies and the critical social theory,

their functions, and their intertwinement to connect man’s activities with his culture and social

interaction. However, of greater importance is the focus given to the historical context of the

Frankenstein revealing the issue of cultural studies pinpointed with connection to the critical

theory. All notwithstanding, it is evidently true that this paper offers extensive knowledge on all

the mentioned issues, thus it is worth for use in furthering research on cultural studies.
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Introduction

The diversification of cultural studies and the challenges that lie in the examination of the

connectedness of the human race to her culture, (which seems to influence humanity to entirety)

demands for extensive research. Throughout history, the human race has focused on the

development and adoption of different approaches, methods, and ways that would pave way for

better understanding of culture in different historical contexts. All these enhance, among other

things, the development of cultural identity and intertwinement of people from different cultural

backgrounds in the society by offering a healthy ground for the creation and development of

cultural competence. Among the many approaches adopted by the society is the cultural studies

theory, which encompasses several other theories, which work collectively to develop a better

platform for the study of culture. The effectiveness of the critical social theory in ensuring this

has led to its extensive application by numerous researchers/experts in the analysis of culture and

cultural practices and their influence on the society. Additionally, through literary works,

different authors choose to tackle critical issues in the society, which influence the existence of

the human race. Culture, a critical and integral part of the existence of humans has, therefore,

since time immemorial been extensively tackled in literature. Through different themes, styles,

and writing techniques, Mary Shelley, through the Frankenstein tackles issues that influence the

society directly, dwelling immensely on cultural issues. An analysis of the Frankenstein

therefore would avail a better understanding of cultural studies and its general influence on

humanity. Therefore, with this understanding, the purpose of this paper is to examine cultural

studies through the critical social theory by focusing on the history of cultural studies, with

consideration and critical analysis of the historical context of Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein in

relation to the studies.

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Cultural Studies and the Critical Social Theory

The critical analysis of culture and cultural events in the society has existed since time

immemorial. However, cultural studies as an academic field first came to light in 1964 following

its introduction into the educational system by the British academics. The founder of the

Birmingham Center for Contemporary Studies (CCCS), Richard Hoggart first used the term in

the aforementioned year (1964) and brought it to extensive use and application through research.

Since then it has continually been in constant use more so after its adoption in the British

academics and in other educational systems the world over. According to the University of

Birmingham, “The Birmingham Centre for Contemporary Cultural Studies (CCCS) is one of the

biggest 'brands' of modern British academia” to date (University of Birmingham). The 1970s saw

an expansive spread and use or application of the cultural studies the world over, with the

formation of an international intellectual movement focusing on the promulgation of cultural

studies through research by the CCCS’s Richard Hoggart successor Stuart Hall and colleagues

(Birmingham). The connection between cultural forms and political economy in Britain and the

focus on globalization led to further research on cultural studies. While doing so, the researchers

applied different models to ensure effectiveness in the process and as a consequence, the

achievement of the major objectives of the CCCS’s and the true essence of cultural studies.

Most of the dominantly used models apply the critical social theory in an effort to clearly bring

out the influence of political and social issues, in connection with culture, to the society.

Cultural studies focus on the examination of the conditions of social and cultural life in the

society through a deep analysis of the widely spread cultural practices and beliefs in the society

and their influence on the social life of the human race focusing majorly on local everyday life.

With this regard, therefore, cultural studies focus on different issues that have a direct link or
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effect on all parts or spheres of human existence. A research by the College of Arts at the

University of Canterbury echoes that cultural studies ensure that “culture is understood in a very

broad sense, including all the social processes of everyday life” (University of Canterbury).

Great focus is mainly directed towards the identification of the relationship between any given

phenomena to issues concerning ideology, race and ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation and

social class among others. While this is the case, the importance of the critical social theory in

the analysis of cultural studies is undeniably great. This is considering that the theory focuses

majorly on the study of issues that influence life and the interaction of people from different

cultural backgrounds or originalities like gender, sexual orientation, ethnicity, race, and visual,

popular, and mass culture (Kellner 396). These influence the way people do things, the different

cultural practices, beliefs, and the way the society holds on to them. As such, cultural studies

focus on the understanding of how people from different cultures perform different activities or

practices (University of Birmingham).

Additionally, the critical social theory comprises and works in connection with different

models, which ensure effectiveness in the study of culture and cultural practices in the society

through the application of cultural studies. Classical and contemporary theories bring out the

interconnection between the society and the different cultures and cultural practices in it thus

enhancing understanding of cultural studies where the critical social theory is applied. As Kellner

(2001) argues “both classical and social theory have engaged relationships between culture and

society, and provided a variety of types of studies of culture” (395). While the truth behind the

Kellner’s observation is undeniable, this perspective offers an even stronger basis for application

of other models of cultural studies, among them, the neo-Webarian and neo-Durkheimian models

of cultural studies, the Frankfurt School to Althusserian paradigms, cultural studies on feminism,
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and post-structuralism studies of culture among others (Kellner 395: University of Birmingham).

With this consideration therefore, the application of the theory in the study of cultural studies

through analysis of a work of literature, in this case the gothic thriller novel, Frankenstein, by

Mary Shelley, which exploits different issues that influence the human race and its activities in

the society is critically important.

Historical Context of the Frankenstein

Shelley’s Frankenstein was created in the nineteenth century. As such, the setting and

plot of the gothic thriller was greatly influenced by most activities that occurred in the period.

Writing during this period, (the 1800s) was influenced, among other things by the surge and

expansive adoption of romanticism (due to the rise and growth of the Romantic Movement),

which encompasses a wide range of ideas and activities. As such, the historical context of the

book had a great impact on Shelley’s work, which seems to have an even greater influence on the

audience. The influence of the historical events of the time on the gothic thriller is undeniably

great and evident in every aspect of the work. The Romantic period stretched from around 1798

to 1830 and influenced Shelley’s writing, who was born at the time (specifically in August 30

1797, living through to 1851) majorly. According to Murray (2013), the romantic period

influenced writing at the time, Frankenstein being an example of such. The Author wrote “if one

looks at Shelley in the context of Romantic writing, which critics such as Leavis and the early

New Critics had little interest in doing, her status as a major Romantic poet is difficult to deny”

(Murray 1044). While this is the case, the importance of analysis of Mary Shelley’s work

Frankenstein in the quest to enhance understanding of romanticism and its influence on the

society at the time hitherto is undeniable. Every bit of her work seems to have a close connection
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to or reveal a direct influence of romanticism through the different themes, characters, and the

setting among other aspects.

Another characteristic of the romantic period/movement was the rise and increase of

innovation in the society (mainly due to concentration on science), which influenced the politics

and economics of the time and most importantly the social life of people in the society to bits. As

a result, literary works created during this period were influenced by innovation and revealed not

only themes centered on science and innovation, but an influence of the same on all spheres of

life. Romantic poets and authors focused on the issue and sought to unveil issues connected to

innovation, the benefits, and the possible consequences upon misuse of innovation or most

clearly scientific knowledge. For instance, among many authors/poets Mary Shelley distinctively

tackled the issue, revealing the dire consequences that would arise with the pursuance of

dangerous knowledge or the society’s undying quest to explore science and innovation and

misuse of the same. The creation of a monster (Frankenstein) from human parts and bringing it

to life through the use of electricity and the effects this had on human existence reveals the

aforementioned. As the words of Murray in the Encyclopedia of the Romantic Era he says,

“Frankenstein depicts a horror that emerges from the present, from the successful attempt by

Victor Frankenstein to infuse ‘life into an inanimate body . . . (Victor) produces the monster who

destroys the heroine of sensibility… the product of his dream, rejected by his maker, becomes

his murderous double, destroying those who should constitute his family” the dangers of misuse

of scientific knowledge are great than anyone would contemplate (Murray 379). With this

consideration therefore, it is clear that the application of the critical social theory in the analysis

of cultural studies through the Frankenstein would be of great importance. This is considering

that most of the issues pointed out in the novel had a direct impact on the society’s way of life.
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A clearer understanding of the historical context of Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein would

promote understanding of cultural studies, mainly considering that it was set during the romantic

period, which was characterized by spontaneity and freedom of thought and expression. The

influence of these on international politics and the social life of people across the globe was

undeniable. The Romantic Movement led to the growth of romantic writers who influenced the

political and social platforms equally. These literary experts revealed spontaneity in the flow

and/or overflow of feelings and emotions, all centered on the arousal of the audience’s

emotions/feelings in an effort to communicate ideas or their viewpoint on social issues.

Additionally, freethinking and freedom of expression/thought enabled writers during the period

to concentrate of the revelation of their true thoughts and feelings and passage of such through

writing to the audience. The consequences of such were enlightenment and rectification of the

society, all of which worked positively towards the development of a stronger social code in the

society. As Meena Alexander argues, reason breeds enlightenment, enhances morality and causes

development of humanity regardless of a person’s gender or sexual orientation. The author says,

“reason permitted Mary Wollstonecraft, a true daughter of Enlightenment here, to conceive of a

whole new way in which women might be in the world… the Enlightenment concern with

morality mediated through the power of emotion” (Alexander 35, 66). The importance of these

remains great to the society hitherto, several centuries later, as these writers and poets changed

the face of literature and the extent to which it can influence the society.

The period of creation of the Frankenstein by Mary Shelley was characterized by

constant political and social upheaval. This was mainly because of revolutions and war across

the globe and the effect of England’s shift from agricultural dependence to industrial production

and development (Bloom 58). These changes influenced all spheres of life: economic, political,
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and social (Grossberg 156). Considering this then, literature, which focuses on pinpointing all

issues that affect the existence of the human race, directly or indirectly, was greatly affected. The

authors focused on tackling these issues in their writing in order to shape the society and lead it

towards positive development. While doing so, the literature written in the time pointed out all

the issues that would affect the society either positively or negatively because of the change. For

instance, Shelley’s Frankenstein pointed the uncertainty that would face the society due to

neglect of social roles, disregard for family, love, and friendship. Concerning these Harold

Bloom writes of “the many ways in which Frankenstein portrays the consequences of the failure

of family, the damage wrought when the mother - or a nurturant parental love – is absent”

(Bloom 76). An example is the monstrosity of Victor’s creation due to parental failure. Focus on

the issues, which influence life in the society, reveals the importance of cultural studies in the

society in helping it in the analysis of the same and allowing the avoidance of negative

consequences that would result from unhealthy interaction and involvement in such activities

(University of Canterbury).

During the period of creation of Frankenstein, Gothicism was on the rise and affected

literature to the core. The maximization of remote settings and grisly mysteries, thrilling and

violent incidents among other gothic activities and features was rampant in the nineteenth

century, when Mary Shelley wrote the Frankenstein (Spooner 142). As a result, these influenced

the setting and plot of the novel majorly, making it an outstanding gothic thriller. Concerning

this the writer said, “I busied myself to think of a story – a story to rival those which had excited

us to this task. One which would speak to the mysterious fears of our nature, and awaken

thrilling horror; one to make the reader dread to look around, to curdle the blood, and quicken

the beatings of the heart… if I did not accomplish these things, my ghost story would be
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unworthy of its name” (Shelley, Panshin and Panshin 153). The focus directed on the exploration

of nature and its idealization during the romantic period makes the literature of the time worthy

for consideration in the analysis of cultural studies. This is mainly because nature plays a vital

role in supporting the existence of the human race. Additionally, all activities, whether social,

political, or economic are determined mainly by the state of nature. Moreover, the

interconnection that exists between nature and its inhabitants draws the researchers of the

cultural studies to the consideration of literature works, which draw out the issue, for research on

cultural studies (Kellner 397).

Additionally, Gothicism comprises of other deeper and critically important issues that

influence humanity in a major way. Gothic pieces of literature, therefore, focus on the revelation

of these in the quest to shape the society’s thinking, perception, and the ways that it undertakes

certain activities influenced by these activities. An example of such is the exploration of social

values and issues that have an impact on them. As Patrick Bridgewater attests, “Gothic involves

a sense, and a reality, of disempowerment, privation, helplessness, abandonment and alienation,

and therefore a sense of ‘malign agency… it involves the quest for metaphysical and moral

absolutes in a world that offers teasing, shadowy semblances of an occult order, but withholds

final revelation and illumination” but offers an opportunity for the audience to learn and stand a

chance to influence occurrences in real life (Bridgwater 304). Gothic focuses on the depiction of

the values that influence the existence of people in the society through impacting on the relation

of man and man and the nature. With this consideration, good and evil is distinctively outlined in

gothic in an effort to set clear what should or should not be done by members of the society.

While this is the case, the need for the society to abide by the values that influence humanity and
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existence positively should be highly adopted and integrated into everyday life while making an

effort to shun the negative.

Apart from the aforementioned issues analyzed by gothic, the romanticism (through

gothic) determines what is natural, unnatural, human, or monstrous. Writing in the latter years of

the 18th and the earlier years of the 19th century were characterized of gothic, an influence of

romanticism. These tackled issues such as the distinction between what is natural and unnatural,

or human and monstrous through use of different characters, human, monsters, and unnatural

things, all with different traits and portrayal to enhance the plot and bring out the intended effect

on the audience. Shelley utilized different techniques to bring out natural and unnatural events,

but most clearly, through the character of Frankenstein, brought out monstrosity. Though

different authors have discussed this ‘Frankenstein: or, the modern Prometheus’ by Mary

Wollstonecraft Shelley brings out a clearer understanding of the issue. About the created

monster, the author says:

“I doubted at first whether I should attempt the creation of a being like myself or
one of simpler organization; but my imagination was too much exalted by my first
success to permit me to doubt of my ability to give life to an animal as complex
and wonderful as man. The materials at present within my command hardly
appeared adequate to so arduous an undertaking; but I doubted not that I should
ultimately succeed. ... As the minuteness of the parts formed a great hindrance to
my speed, I resolved, contrary to my first intention, to make the being of a
gigantic stature; that is to say, about eight feet in height, and proportionably
large”. (Shelley, Frankenstein: or, The modern Prometheus 87)

This statement not only shows naturalism and unnatural activities (in this case the

creation and bringing into life of another being), but also reveals an aspect of supernaturalism,

where Victor assumes the role of God and focuses on the creation of an immortal creature.
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Cultural Studies: A Case of Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein

An analysis of Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein through the application of the critical theory

would offer a deep understanding of cultural studies. The author tackled different issues that

have a direct effect on culture and cultural practices in the society and most importantly on the

local life events of people in the society, which serve a major role in influencing culture.

According to a research by the University of Canterbury, cultural studies involve the analysis of

cultural events and human interactions, activities, and practices that have a direct or indirect

impact on culture. These enhance the understanding of culture and as a consequence, enhance the

development of cultural identity in the society. However, a clearer understanding of its inter-

disciplinarity can only be achieved through the application of an effective theory in the analysis.

The research states that cultural studies focus on, “how culture is produced, how we use and

interpret culture, how culture can be preserved, destroyed, or changed, how our sense of identity

merges with our culture, and what is happening to culture in the new world of commodity

circulation, communications and information technologies, and globalization” (University of

Canterbury). While this is the case, the critical social theory focuses on the identification and

study of all of the above and numerous other spheres of influence of the human life and the

society. The theory involves the critique of every activity the society is involved in through the

application of knowledge obtained from different fields (Kellner 399). As a result, the study or

analysis of Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein would only be effective through the application of this

theory, the critical social theory.

As aforementioned, cultural studies focus on the examination of the conditions of social

and cultural life in the society through a deep analysis of the widely spread cultural practices and

beliefs of the society and their influence on the social life of the human race focusing majorly on
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local everyday life. While doing so, emphasis is placed on the way people in the society

undertake certain activities and how such activities influence social life through an impact on

culture. Therefore, the importance of cultural studies, which ensures that “culture is understood

in a very broad sense, including all the social processes of everyday life” (University of

Canterbury) is undeniable. The application of the critical theory would therefore lead to

effectiveness in the identification of the relationship between different phenomena to issues

concerning different ideologies, gender, sexuality, race and ethnicity, and most importantly,

social class and the influence that all of these have on cultural competence and identification in

the society. The Frankenstein focuses majorly on these issues, all of which entirely important in

cultural studies as they bring about the understanding of the different activities that humankind

undertakes due to the existence of the issues, and that have a direct impact on culture. The

influence of political and economic activities on the interaction of people and their day-to-day

activities, which influences culture, is undeniable in the Frankenstein and this proves just how

important the critical social theory is in the analysis and research in cultural studies focusing on

the culturally diverse Frankenstein (Alexander 73). Different characters, through different

activities and lights of portrayal depict differences in their thinking, perceptions towards life,

nature, and the society. As such, as they undertake their activities the differences are evident and

lead to either development of culture or a negative influence on the same.

Conclusion

Mary Shelley sought to tackle issues that influenced the society in the 19th century. At the

time, social, political, and economic issues in the society were greatly influenced by the

existence of different things in the society, due to the influence of the period of Enlightenment,

the Romantic Movement, the revolutionary activities like the French revolution, and the rise of
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feminism in the society among others. A consideration of the fact that these issues had a direct

influence on the way the society undertook certain roles, thus influencing societal culture and co-

existence of the people in the society, demanded for analysis of the book under the light of the

critical theory. After a deeper analysis of Shelley’s work, the Frankenstein, it was evident that

these issues influence the society’s activities to the core and have an even greater influence on

the culture of people across the globe. The performance of different roles in different ways

breeds a difference a deviation from the norm and thus creates a platform for growth of cultural

identity.

Analyzing issues such as gender roles, sexuality, and the plight of women in the

Frankenstein’s society avails a deeper understanding of the hitherto existing differences and how

the assignment of roles and the way they are performed influence on the culture of people from a

certain locality. Mary Shelley seems to be greatly influenced by the rise of feminism, mainly

promulgated by her own mother, Mary Wollstonecraft Godwin, a great feminist and author of the

time. As such, she tackles the issue of gender role and sexuality in the Frankenstein extensively,

mainly focusing on issues of family and parenting. Apart from these, the author focuses on the

economics and politics of the time, all of which seem to be highly influenced by the existing

political upheavals due to revolutions and the change in economics of England due to change

from agricultural production to industrial production.

The application of the critical social theory in the analysis of Mary Shelley’s

Frankenstein is only possible because the author challenged most of the society’s widely spread

and accepted ideas in an articulate way, managing to gain an emotive effect on the audience,

stirring their emotions, thoughts, and perception on different issues. For instance, the choice to

dwell on issues of supernaturalism, through the Gothic, the creation of a mightier monstrous
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human being by another man, and the shift of gender roles and sexuality, would possibly stir

different emotions/feelings in the audience, then until now. The choice of the theory to apply in

the analysis of the issues in her work was made mainly with a consideration of the fact that both

cultural studies and critical theory focus on challenging accepted ideas, theories, practices in the

quest to stir and develop a different way of thinking and being in the society.
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Spooner, Catherine. Contemporary Gothic. Reaktion: 2006, London.print.

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