Along with the Industrial Revolution came conflicting attitudes towards the benefits of mechanization as well as a renewed interest in science for many people. Martin Tropp observes that during the Industrial Revolution, there “arose the belief that mechanical principles governed all phenomena, from the movement of the planets to the beating of a heart” (53). Mary Shelley’s husband Percy Shelley had a “fascination with the power of science to give life” because of his “belief in the omnipotence of man and the superfluousness of God” (Tropp 54). However, Mary Shelley’s “fear of the consequences of attempting to copy the ‘mechanism’ of nature set her apart from her contemporaries” (Tropp 54). Because of her belief in the superiority of God over humans, she doubted the ability of machines to replace human labor. This view can be seen in Frankenstein because the scientist who tries to usurp the role of the creator is punished. Because Victor Frankenstein is responsible for unleashing the monster on the world, he must pay with his death, as well as that of his wife Elizabeth and the monster.
