The publication of Shelley’s Frankenstein provoked various questions in the medical field during the time. Throughout the time, there were multiple advancements in the everchanging field of medicine, especially the ethical practices. Religion played a key factor in the questions of practices in the field of medicine. Because of the advancements being made by society, individuals opposed the transition that England was making for the future (British Library). There were various debates throughout the century pertaining to the medical field and the logistics of its practices.

Shelley references multiple perspectives from society about medical ethics through her character of Victor Frankenstein. He is a scientist who is on a never-ending quest of learning, but ends up creating a creature that reigns terror on the town after it is abandoned by the creator. Shelley’s comments throughout the book demonstrate the differences between materialists and vitalists (Lemley 5). Furthermore, readers are provoked to ponder the societal issues and viewpoints, especially in the medical field (Lemley 6). The story of Victor was the catalyst for later works to discuss the ethical approach used by medical professionals – for example, the story of Doctor Faustus.

 Works Cited

British Library, https://www.bl.uk/romantics-and-victorians/articles/the-romantics#:~:tex....

Lemley, Allison (2018) "Frankenstein and “The Labours of Men of Genius”: Science and Medical Ethics in the Early 19th Century," Grand Valley Journal of History: Vol. 4: Iss. 2, Article 5.
Available at: https://scholarworks.gvsu.edu/gvjh/vol4/iss2/5