Why is Mary Shelley's Frankenstein considered "science fiction"?

Question

My professor said today that Shelley's story Frankenstein is considered "science fiction". What makes this story in the sub-genre of "science fiction" and not "horror"? I understand the whole 'mad scientist' thing and about creating a monster but what else makes it "science fiction"???

Answer 1

because it suggests a technology that could bring a man back to life ...
it could be possible .. but only in a 'possibble ' future ;)
and further it theorizes how such being like the monster, could live in our society
and theories are pretty much sci fi

Answer 2

Frankenstein Science Fiction

Answer 3

Well, in the most literal sense it is "science fiction" (an amalgam of the two). Science fiction doesn't always have to mean flying saucers and Klingons. A novel can be a work of fiction which explicitly deals with the effects of science on humanity (or the possible effects). So, Frankenstein and Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde are works of science fiction. The science presented in each is fictional- we can't yet reanimate corpses or take draughts which radically alter our physiology by turning us into our evil alter egos. But, like all science fiction, each novel uses fictional situations as allegories for very real social issues with which we, as humans, are confronted.

Answer 4

Science fiction is renowned for featuring strong commentary on the present day by taking things out of context, frequently by inventing things that have not yet happened (in futuristic works), changing the circumstances of the extant past (in alternate history, amongst other things), or by placing something into the present that does not already exist and cannot be expected to occur. Even though "Frankenstein" is horrific, it is not all about horror: most of "Frankenstein" deals with the amount of control that should exercised and the extent to which social boundaries should be pushed by scientists. When "Frankenstein" was written, scientists thought that there was nothing that Science could not explain, nor was there anything that should stand in the way of discovery. "Frankenstein" was written as a strong, powerful rebuke to this deterministic, valueless approach to discovery. Doctor Frankenstein, of his own volition, shattered the tranquility of the dead and their assurance that, being dead, they would rest in peace. Science learnt something new and became aware of a power that it did not know that it had. . . but was this necessary? Was finding previously non-extant ability worth destroying the serenity of Death? of the social meanings thereof? According to Mary Shelley, it was not. Therefore, she wrote a book that took matters out of context to put current affairs in perspective. THAT is what makes "Frankenstein" science fiction.

Answer 5

Mary Shelly tried to give as reasonable a scientific explanation of how the creature could be brought back to life using her understanding of the science of the day. Being set the future or some time period where there is more advanced technology, or even explaining the science of it is not necessarily what make science fiction.
What makes science fiction is the commentary of how such technological changes or understandings of science change or affect society. Mary Shelly did this rather well and believably.

Answer 6

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RE:
Why is Mary Shelley's Frankenstein considered "science fiction"?
My professor said today that Shelley's story Frankenstein is considered "science fiction". What makes this story in the sub-genre of "science fiction" and not "horror"? I understand the whole 'mad scientist' thing and about creating a monster but what else...

Answer 7

Yes - it is considered the first major work of science fiction - it is also considered gothic.

The definition of a science fiction novel is speculative fiction - it is taking an issue from the present and projecting it into the future. Mary Shelley took her own issues of lack of parental nurturing and projected it forward. It also uses science as a theme in the book. The book can be considered either Science Fiction or Gothic. Pax - C

Answer 8

Horror novels generally use real people as protagonists. "Jurassic Park" is also considered science fiction and not horror, even though many horrible events are depicted in the book and the movies. Science fiction needs to have something created, as the Frankenstein monster, or something related to science, as in space travel. So, just because something horrible or terrible happens in the novel, it doesn't become a horror novel.

Answer 9

It was the first literary example of a created being becoming a predator to his creator. This theme was groundbreaking from an ethical sense and I recall Blade Runner repeating it. It is Science Fiction in that it forces the reader to consider the ethical and moral dilemmas that occur when a scientifically created being is also a killer.

Answer 10

It's not. in my bookstore it's filed in general fiction.