More often than not, an author's personal life translates into her stories. Whether this happens unconsciously or on purpose, their experiences paint a more colorful and vivid picture and therefore convey a stronger message to the reader. Perhaps, Mary Shelley's troubled family experience translates into her novel, Frankenstein; Or the modern Prometheus. Parenting, or rather the absence, irresponsibility and failure of parents, seems to be a constant theme presented in Frankenstein. While examples of failed parenting can be seen within various relationships throughout the novel, the most interesting example of parenting is seen in the main character, Victor Frankenstein, as he plays the roles of both father and son. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an original essay The story can be told from the perspective of a man who creates a monstrous creature, inevitably fathering it; but in reality the monster is not his creation, but himself. This monster story is not about how Victor becomes a victim of his own creation. Rather, his failure as a father to parent the creature he brought to life, ultimately allowing this creature to take part in society. Shelley suggests that Frankenstein is the true monster for the inhumane acts he commits against his creation, and Frankenstein's lack of compassion shows him as his father. In addition to Frankenstein's role as a father, his role as a son is also explored as he experienced a childhood devoid of parental figures. This suggests that there may be some correlation between Frankenstein's upbringing and how it affects his ability to parent, thus causing a chain reaction. Through the relationships between the explorer Robert Walton and his sister Margaret Saville, Frankenstein and his parents, and Frankenstein and his creation, Shelley's message about the importance of parenting and the consequences that come from improper upbringing is outlined through these different relationships. With the novel Beginning with Walton's letters to Saville, his parents' absence leaves Walton without a clear sense of purpose, continually seeking his sister's blessing and longing for a true friend. Walton's letters to his sister clearly serve as the novel's external narrative structure, used to provide context to the main narrative and foreshadow various themes in the novel, one of which is parenthood. Although the novel suggests that his father is dead, it is unclear who or where Walton's mother is, leaving the role of both parents vacant, but partially filled by Saville. In his letters to Saville, Walton does not appear to hide his excitement at his exploration. adventures. He states that “this expedition was one of the favorite dreams of [his] early years” (52). Walton further explains that his "education was neglected" (52), only to later discover that "... [his] dying father's injunction had forbidden [his] uncles from allowing him to embark on a seafaring life" (52 ). Although his father's death was a reasonable enough reason to postpone his lifelong dream of being at sea, he had no idea why he had been unable to explore the world for much of his youth, and his dream was however hindered. For a while Walton felt lost and aimless, only to rediscover his passion for the sea in his later years. Furthermore, it is not yet clear what his purpose is, other than that he pursues his dream of exploration. Furthermore, Walton appears to seek this guidance from his sister Saville. Without parents, theHer letters suggest that Saville filled that void as a caring mother figure. In Walton's first letter to Saville, he states: "You will be happy to know that no disaster has attended the commencement of an enterprise which you have regarded with such evil forebodings... my first duty is to assure my dear sister of my well-being, and of a growing confidence in the success of my enterprise” (51). Saville's disapproval of Walton's expedition is evident as Walton suggests that she had regarded it with “evil forebodings” and would have “rejoiced” to know that it he is safe and sound. He emphasizes that his "first duty" was to ensure that Saville knew that he was safe and sound, making it his first priority to reassure his "dear" sister of his successes thus far she constantly seeks guidance and blessing from Saville, she states, “And now, dear Margaret, I do not deserve to fulfill some great purpose (53). , Walton attempts to justify his current efforts to redeem himself and convince his sister that he is doing the right thing. However, it is evident that she returns very little, if any, correspondence in response to his letters. At one point, Walton exclaims, "Oh, that some encouraging voice would answer in the affirmative!" (53). The lack of correspondence suggests that Saville is yet another parental figure in Walton's life who cannot be the parent he so desires. His desperate need for an "encouraging voice" from his sister seems to not only be a cry for attention, but also to show Saville his success and receive the validation he desires. Due to the absence of his parents during his childhood - and as it seems to Saville's - he confesses to his sister that "I have no friends, Margaret: when I have the enthusiasm of success, there will be no one to share in my joy..." (54). The lack of compassion from his family seems to leave Walton alone and in need of a more understanding friend. Due to his parents' neglect, it is evident that Walton is unable to integrate into society. His inability to find a meaningful friendship leads him to isolate himself. The absence of Frankenstein's mother and neglect on the part of his father cause Frankenstein to defy their wishes, ultimately leading to a series of unfortunate events that affect his family and friends. With Victor's early discovery of his interest in natural philosophy, his father casually looks at the book Frankenstein was studying and responds, “My dear Victor, don't waste your time with this; it is sad rubbish” (68). Without so much as an explanation, this clear example of parental lack of guidance and insensitivity to his son's wishes leaves Frankenstein bitter and spiteful. Reflecting, Frankenstein states: "If, instead of this remark, my father had taken the trouble to explain to me... I would certainly have put Agrippa aside... it is also possible that the train of my ideas would never have received the fatal impulse that led to my ruin” (68). By calling Agrippa's principles "sad rubbish", his father insults something in which Frankenstein found a deep interest , Frankenstein believes he would immediately move on. However, he blames his father's lack of parenting as one of the few reasons why this "led to [his] downfall." of hatred towards his father, does not fit the case of Frankenstein at all as he loved his father However, Frankenstein continues to know this outdated science to prove the..