Frankenstein

I bought this version of Frankenstein in Eslite right after I saw it. I was so much fond of this cover design.

This work of Gothic English literature has its impacts on modern minds even after two centuries. The signifiers throughout the chapters convey the timeless messages that serve as a mirror to propel us into some profound mental activities. The brutality of this indicator amplifies our fear, as flawed human beings, of being replaced as individuals or, even more horrifyingly, culturally destroyed by artificial intelligence. That’s an inevitable threat intimidating our entity and existence.

In the story, although the creation, brought to life by the mad scientist Victor Frankenstein, possessed almighty strength, intelligence and humanity, it was regarded as a monster because of its wicked appearance made of corpse parts roughly put together. Without being given a name, he was a vivid metaphor juxtaposing the pros, cons, and consequences of our excessively developed technology, foreshadowing an apocalypse through an ornate allegory that demonstrated the eventual destruction brought upon its inventors.

From the perspective of sociology, self-identification seems to be a perpetual human need, no matter what society or age. The monster suffered from loneliness and isolation caused by ostracism, even though he had committed no wrongdoing but was merely born with a distorted physique. Despair and aggravation gradually rose in his innocent and humane soul under this injustice, provoking a revenge on the privileged parties.

I have dwelt on the speculation of human existence for a long time, and the peripheral debates have always been topics at the dinner table with my friends. However, we weren’t looking for any answers, but rather enjoying in the moment where we can still think freely and critically.