FRANKENSTEIN

A CRIADORA E A CRIATURA

Abstract

This article aims to analyze Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein and its creation process in light of Sigmund Freud’s studies on dreams, given that the inspiration for the book arose from a nightmare, and the author seems to have resurrected her losses and traumas through her writing. For this purpose, Mary Shelley’s life was examined in relation to her work, as well as the dreams present in the novel. The analysis of Freudian elements, along with studies on dreams, reveal that the monster in Frankenstein may represent the dark impulses repressed by its creator, the scientist Victor Frankenstein. The study also focuses on the maternal and paternal roles in the monster’s creation, highlighting the relevance of the work in modern times and warning about the dangers of unchecked human ambition. The result allowed us to conclude that Shelley’s creation could be a manifestation of her own subconscious. Hence, the novel is not only a warning about the perils of science but also a psychological exploration of the human psyche and the consequences of suppressing deep desires. Finally, it was demonstrated that Shelley’s creative activity was influenced by the internalization of a trauma and its repetition in an artistic form.