THE QUESTION OF MORALITY IN MARY SHELLEY’S FRANKENSTEIN

Agata Buda, Poland, ID CLEaR2016-371;       The work by Mary Shelley is not only the story of a gothic character, but it also covers moral and existential problems. In the dark atmosphere of horror the process of improving nature is taking place. Although the author herself defined the novel as a ghost story, one can actually perceive it as the discussion about social and moral issues. There arise several questions concerning human attitude towards life and death, such as: improving nature, playing with God, conducting a controlled process of creating life and the idea of a technological progress in the moral and humane context. The novel also provides the basis for the discussion on the development of modern medicine, philosophy and psychology.

Key words: Mary Shelley, gothic, horror, morality.