The Phenomenon Of Alienation And The Identity Of The Other In Frankenstein

This paper studies alienation phenomena and other's identity in Mary Shelly's novel Frankenstein.Alienation of labor not only exists in capitalist production,but may also in any human activities.Human alienation theory has been penetrated through Western writers' ideas and literary creations.This theme of alienation is expressed mainly through man's relationship to nature,to society,to others and to self.Frankenstein burns with an ambition which is achieved by spoiling life activities recklessly.The similarity between Frankenstein's creation of the monster and Marx's alienation of labor lies in that both deviate from the purpose of human life activity and self expression.Alienation phenomena analyzed in this paper include alienation of Frankenstein's relationship to others,alienation of Frankenstein's spirit,alienation of man's relationship to nature,and alienation of females.On this basis ways to eliminate alienation are explored.To eliminate alienation,we need to reach a consensus between members of society to achieve communication on an equal footing and dialogue in a real sense.The theory of discourse from contemporary theorists will help to analyze alienation phenomena in the text.Discourse imbalance is the fatal cause of unhealthy relationship,which leads to the swelling of personal ambition,endless pursuit of transcendence and constant alienation.In the aspects of content,interrelationship and expression,the text reflects imbalance in dialogue between the individual and the society,dialogue between individuals,dialogue between Frankenstein and the monster,dialogue between Frankenstein and the monster on the one hand and their inner hearts on the other,both sides in urgent need of communication.To eliminate alienation,we need the respect for differences and the recognition of differences.The tragedy of the monster in the text lies in that human beings have no identification with the monster for the latter's difference..The situation of the monster mirrors that of women.The relationship between men and women in the text is not intersubjectivity,but subject-object.The female characters are in the identity of the other,and the writer is also anxious for the identity.In the patriarchal society,a woman either imitates the tone of a man,or remains silent.In women writers' texts,we have to read women's voices between the lines: We must learn to understand,to tolerate,to establish a reasonable behavior model,and to show respect for nature,women,and others.Based on rational intersubjective communication,Habermas' s reasonable communicative behavior mode establishes the discourse principle as reasonable latitude and benchmark,emphasizing the equal,cooperative relationship in communication,and mutual coordination,mutual understanding and mutual trust between subjects for reaching a consensus.This mode attempts for the two sexes not only to show their own characteristics respectively but also to get along with each other in a harmonious way.It reminds people that they should construct their identity in language,and build together balanced and peaceful relationship between human and nature and also between human beings themselves.In this sense,the model can give some references to the elimination of alienation.Irigaray created a culture of two subjects,a male subject and a female subject.They share common space and each has space for self-development and self-fulfillment as well.They can communicate equally on the common space and return freely to themselves on their respective space.This scheme eliminates the opposition between culture and nature.The emphasis of the productivity and materiality of the subject is significant for the elimination of female alienation.