Abstract

With ecological ethics, the thesis sets out to make an analysis of Mary Shelly’s ecological thoughts in Frankenstein. The main purpose is to analyze the application of ecological ethics in Frankenstein, and clarify the relationship between science, technology , human and nature. By reading and comprehending the novel in the aspect of ecological ethics, readers can learn that man should set up a harmonious relationship between man and nature. The paper gives a general introduction to Frankenstein, the author, and some interpretations of ecological ethics, then explores ecological ethics in this novel. The author creates the novel to help to express the importance of harmonious coexistence between man and nature at the rapid developing age of science and technology.


Key Words: Ecological ethics  Frankenstein  Science  Nature 

摘 要

  《弗兰肯斯坦》是玛丽•雪莱的第一部成名作，在西方文学界被誉为“第一部科幻小说”。在小说中，作者通过讲述主人公弗兰肯斯坦在狂热的求知欲的驱使下， 盲目进行科学研究，最终被自己所造的怪物毁灭的故事，也为人们阐述了科学技术在违反自然规律后给人类带来巨大灾难的教育意义。同时还揭示了当时的社会危机和精神危机正处于不断深化中，并展现了资本主义的社会文明和理性对人性造成的干预和工业化对大自然的破坏。本篇论文通过分析生态伦理学在小说中的应用，着眼于人物性格的分析和故事情节的发展，从而论证人类和自然和谐相处的重大意义，以及合理利用科学技术的重要性。

关键词：生态伦理学  弗兰肯斯坦  科学  自然

1 Introduction
    Mary Shelley was one of the most prominent novelists in English Literature during the Romantic Era. In her life, she wrote many great novels, essays and other literary works, but her most popular one Frankenstein, published in 1818 is regarded as the first scientific novel in the world. Set in the early 19th century, the Enlightenment Movement made a great progress in many science and technology areas, like astronomy, geography, physics, chemistry and biology. England, America, France and some other countries have finished the Industrial Revolution. So many people possessed great illusion on science and technology, and they believed that man was the main part in the world. Humans could used and changed the nature at will so long as they mastered science and technology. Influenced by people’s twisted illusion to nature, Mary Shelley created Frankenstein to remind people of the importance of the balance between nature and people.