The Theme of Abortion in Mary Shelley's Frankenstein

Doctor Frankenstein's creation, a hideous being unable to assimilate into human society, extends beyond the plot to offer insight on a controversial issue such as abortion. In the novel, Doctor Frankenstein debates his decision to give life to such a terrifying being that will terrorize the human race. This dilemma relates directly to the pro-life versus pro-choice debate that rages on in modern society. The Doctor's creation results in a miserable being constantly on the verge of suicide who despises the human race who gave birth to him. Although he was born pure and compassionate, the creature experiences only hatred and violence, which banish any sanity from the monster's heart. As a result, the living creation loathes the life given to him. This idea relates to the outcome of many pro-life decisions to allow ill or genetically mutated fetuses to live. Although the child will be granted the most precious gift, life, he may live in misery and hatred, despising the moment his imperfection came to light. Although the child may have a noble personality like Frankenstein's creation, an absence of acceptance into society may drastically affect a human for the worse. Apathy from loved ones, like the one spurned by Frankenstein's rejection of his creation, guarantees a rejection from society as a whole and an emotional breakdown like depression and suicidal tendencies, like those of Frankenstein's monster.

The life that Frankenstein's monster led promotes the idea that such personal, painful disasters must be prevented. Abortions should be used only to spare fetuses future misfortunes and grueling mental and physical pain. Doctor Frankenstein could have performed an "abortion" on his creation, but his decision against an end to the being led to the creature's mental, emotional, and physical breakdown. The issue which the novel uncovers relates only to abortions of necessity, not personal preference. Every person is characterized by his or her independence and freedom. However, a terminal illness that results in a person's inability to become a part of society becomes a burden that very few would want to carry.

When a person's persona is judged by his disabilities, the individual recognizes himself and thinks of himself in terms of his imperfection and the incompleteness which he bears. This idea relates to the consequences which Doctor Frankenstein should have considered when creating his monster. An aborted creature would have resulted in the sparing of the Doctor's life, the lives of his loved ones, and the monster's unconquerable suffering. The same applies to the preventive actions that can spare a being or family from internal destruction from misery.