“Everything must have a beginning, to speak in Sanchean phrase; and that beginning must be linked to something that went before. The Hindus give the world an elephant to support it, but they make the elephant stand upon a tortoise.”
― Mary Shelley, Frankenstein
203 years and 5 days ago, a book that could arguably be called the first true science fiction novel was published in London. “Frankenstein, or the modern Prometheus” became an enduring tale, that became ingrained in the world’s cultural consciousness. The story of Victor Frankenstein – his ambition to create a powerful larger than life creature, and how he could not control his creation- how it turned on him and destroyed all he held dear- is constantly referenced in fiction and is often referenced as an analogy for various episodes of human hubris and folly over the past 200 years.
Countless human events where people have created something that ended up doing great damage have been compared to the story.
The allegory is a powerful one, and its utility as a metaphor will likely persist for many more centuries.
In fact, I think I can safely say the story of Victor Frankenstein and the nameless monster he created will be referenced countless times by future historians when referring to the events of the past 5 years in American politics.
Future historians will point to the willingness of the republican party to build up an inhuman monster and the incredible death and destruction that resulted – how the monster ended up destroying them in the end… they will say that is analogous to the story of Frankenstein.
Those historians will be wrong.
Superficially, casting the republican party in the part of Victor Frankenstein, and Trump as his monster seems appropriate, but only if you are unfamiliar with the story.
There are critical differences that render the comparison invalid. Yes, Victor Frankenstein did construct his monster and bring it to life, just as the republican party breathed life into their monster, but beyond that the comparison breaks down.
When Victor saw how hideous his creation was, he recoiled from it- when republicans saw the true hideous inhuman nature of of their monster they called it beauty and worshipped it.
When Victor saw the death and destruction his monster was committing, he went literally to the ends of the Earth to destroy his creation- Republicans, on the other hand, celebrated it, reveled in it, and they protected their monster no matter what crimes he was shown to have committed.
Victor was not actually killed by his creation, he died as a result of his desperate pursuit of the monster, trying to put an end to the destructive force he had unleashed on the world.
In contrast, the Republicans destroyed themselves for the monster they created. They tied themselves to their monster and lavished praise upon him. They fought all attempts to reign in their monster- when the terrorized villagers showed up at the castle walls to demand and end to the destruction, the republicans cheerfully teargassed them.
Victor Frankenstein- for all his faults- at least tried to put a stop to the monster- in contrast to the republicans who held mass rallies in a pandemic to stroke the ego of their creation.
“…I can make you so wretched that the light of day will be hateful to you. You are my creator, but I am your master–obey!”
― Mary Shelley, Frankenstein
Frankenstein’s creation had to threaten Victor with death of his loved ones to get him to agree to do as he demanded. Compare that with the republicans who acceded to their monsters every demand out of fear that he would tweet against them.
While Victor destroyed himself trying to destroy his monster, the republican party destroyed themselves by going to irrational unconstitutional lengths to keep their monster in power.
“I am full of fears, for if I fail there, I am an outcast in the world forever.”
The Republicans sold out all the values they claimed to hold dear in order to put their monster in power and to keep him there- as a result they were left with nothing. They had nothing left- If Trump goes down, then so does the republican party- this has them terrified, they have everything to lose if their monster is brought down-because they are no longer the republican party, they are the party of Trump. They will forever be synonymous.
Despite the efforts of Victor Frankenstein to stop his nameless creation, his name is assigned to the monster. When you refer to ‘Frankenstein’ most people assume you are referring to the monster. Similarly, the GOP will forever be known as the party of Trump.
There is one final difference between Frankenstein’s monster and Trump… in the end Frankenstien’s creation had a soul, showed remorse, and left willingly…
Does anyone believe that the republican party’s monster will exhibit that little spark of humanity, of decency?
The republicans have lost the presidency, and now the senate.
They had planned to make a spectacle of objecting to the state certified electors today- a last gasp coup attempt. With this defeat handed to them this morning will they still put on their pointless little show? Even after having been slapped down by the American voters for their defense of their monster?
“I can offer you no consolation, my friend,” said he; “your disaster is irreparable. What do you intend to do?”
We will see.
I suggest us villagers sharpen our pitchforks… just in case.