Intertextual Analysis of Frankenstein and Into the wild

Michael Rossi
February 16, 2011
Advanced Placement British Literature/ Mrs. Turick
Intertextual Analysis of Frankenstein and Into the wild


The themes and motives of a Frankenstein and Into the wild, overlap quite substantially. Chris and Frankenstein both reject an aspect of their lives to focus on another. Chris rejects his family, friends, and wealth and tries to embrace nature, but he is unable to find happiness. This is expressed when Chris claims: “Happiness is only real when shared with others”. In the same way, Frankenstein rejects nature and only focuses on finding new knowledge through creating a perfect, artificial being. This is exhibited when Frankenstein declares his fear of his creation: “I beheld the wretch- the miserable monster whom I had created”. (Shelley 34).
Frankenstein and Chris fulfill the fallen hero archetype as they both have good intentions that are lead astray by flawed means. Frankenstein wishes to discover new knowledge, which is often a positive. Modern day people search for a cure for cancer and other illness. This requires the discovery of new knowledge. Frankenstein, however, isolated himself and lost sight of using new knowledge for the betterment of society, but rather, he created a monster and made himself into a monster. In the same way, Chris only looked to find a deeper connection with nature, but only ended up pushing away the people in his life that matter.
Frankenstein and Into the wild both purport the same common philosophies and universal truths. As expressed earlier, Elizabeth and Chris both demonstrate that isolation ends up betraying he whom endures it. Chris claims, “Happiness is only real when shared with others”. Elizabeth trying to prevent Frankenstein from enduring the same fate as Chris tells Frankenstein, “Get well- and return to us. You will find a happy, cheerful, home and friends who love you dearly” (Shelley 40). Here Elizabeth looks to save Frankenstein from the monster he has become.