The Recurring Theme of Incest in Frankenstein

Within the first fifty pages of Mary Shelley's Frankenstein, the idea of incest is presented, not once but a few times. When Elizabeth is first adopted into the family, she is "given" to Victor as a "beautiful present," as his mother puts it. On her death bed she coolly states, "my firmest hopes of future happiness were placed on the prospect of your union." It's just interesting to look at society from a historical lens and see what was socially acceptable. Today, the idea of incest leads to cultural outrage, but considering Mary Shelley lived in the 1800's, it was far more common.

Another interesting thing I found was Frankenstein's dream. In it he dreamed of kissing Elizabeth, who then turned into his rotting mother. After analyzing this dream, I believe it has two possible meanings. He either blames Elizabeth for his mothers death, since she gave his mother the Scarlett Fever, or it means his mother is haunting him, since he refuses to keep in touch with Elizabeth. Therefore, he is refusing to keep her dying wish to try and be with Elizabeth.