frankenstein essay about ambition

Frankenstein

Mary shelley, ask litcharts ai: the answer to your questions.

Through Victor and Walton , Frankenstein portrays human beings as deeply ambitious, and yet also deeply flawed. Both Victor and Walton dream of transforming society and bringing glory to themselves through their scientific achievements. Yet their ambitions also make them fallible. Blinded by dreams of glory, they fail to consider the consequences of their actions. So while Victor turns himself into a god, a creator, by bringing his monster to life, this only highlights his fallibility when he is completely incapable of fulfilling the responsibilities that a creator has to its creation. Victor thinks he will be like a god, but ends up the father of a devil. Walton, at least, turns back from his quest to the North Pole before getting himself and his crew killed, but he does so with the angry conclusion that he has been robbed of glory. Neither Victor nor Walton ever escapes from their blinding ambitions, suggesting that all men, and particularly those who seek to raise themselves up in glory above the rest of society, are in fact rash and "unfashioned creatures" with "weak and faulty natures."

Ambition and Fallibility ThemeTracker

Ambition and Fallibility Quotes in Frankenstein

109 Outstanding Frankenstein Essay Topics

Welcome to the Frankenstein Essay Topics page prepared by our editorial team! Here, you’ll find a selection of top ideas, questions, and titles for any academic paper. We have topics about Frankenstein’s literary analysis, characters, themes, and more.

• 🔬 Literary Analysis
• 🎭 Characters
• 📊 Compare & Contrast
• 🗺️ Navigation

🎓 References

Frankenstein is a famous novel, and students will often have to write papers about it. If you have received such an assignment, this article is for you! When writing a Frankenstein literary analysis essay , there are many areas you can consider, such as characters, themes, and context. Below, we have provided 99 outstanding ideas that you can use for your assignment or to find inspiration. Don’t forget to illustrate your arguments with quotes from text when writing your Frankenstein literary analysis.

🔬 Frankenstein Literary Analysis Essay Topics

• What are the literary devices used to create the image of Victor Frankenstein ?
• What literary devices are used to create the image of the Monster?
• What is the importance of setting in Frankenstein ?
• Romanticism in Frankenstein : the use of poetry in the novel’s narrative
• Who is the narrator of Frankenstein , and why is the narration important?
• Narrative technique in Frankenstein .
• Nature symbolism in Frankenstein .
• Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein as a tragedy
• How does weather reflect the narrative of Frankenstein ? Give examples.
• What does fire symbolize in Frankenstein ?
• How is the power of nature depicted in Frankenstein ?
• What is the purpose of letters in Frankenstein ?
• The importance of allusions in Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein .
• Biblical symbolism in Frankenstein .
• Why is Frankenstein called Modern Prometheus?
• Point of view in Frankenstein by Mary Shelley
• Frankenstein : a deconstructive reading
• Analyze the romantic elements in Frankenstein .
• Is Frankenstein a gothic novel?
• What literary devices are used to create fear in Frankenstein ?
• What is the writing style of Frankenstein ?
• Examine the role of suspense and foreshadowing throughout Frankenstein . Do you think these devices are effective?
• How does foreshadowing differ among the three main narrators of Frankenstein (Walton, Victor, and the Monster)?
• What is the purpose of the ring composition of Frankenstein ?
• How does Mary Shelley ’s Frankenstein allude to the myth of Prometheus?
• How is Frankenstein a romantic and horror novel?
• What role do letters from Elizabeth play in Frankenstein ‘s narrative?
• What would the novel be like if it was narrated by only Frankenstein or only the monster ?
• What does the novel gain from having so many levels of narration? Why do you suppose it might have been structured with so many embedded narratives?
• In what ways and for what ends does Mary Shelley utilize the myth of Prometheus in her novel, Frankenstein ?
• Three Separate Narratives within Shelley’s Frankenstein
• Frankenstein : Weather, Seasons, and Emotional Symbolism

🎭 Frankenstein Essay Topics: Characters

• How are women depicted in Frankenstein ? How does Shelley make them look passive?
• Why isn’t Frankenstein ’s monster given a name?
• Who is the real monster in Frankenstein ?
• Is Frankenstein ’s monster responsible for the characters’ deaths ?
• What did the childhood of Victor Frankenstein look like? What role does it play in the narrative?
• Does the monster’s eloquence and persuasiveness make it easier for the reader to sympathize with him? Why do you think most film versions of the story present the monster as mute or inarticulate?
• Trace the similarities between Victor Frankenstein and the Monster . Consider their respective relationships with nature, desires for family , and any other important parallels you find.
• Do Victor and the Monster become more similar to Frankenstein ‘s plot? How does their relationship with each other develop?
• Victor attributes his tragic fate to his relentless search for knowledge. Do you think that this is the true cause of his suffering?
• Why does Shelley describe all female characters in Frankenstein as self-sacrificing and passive?
• Who is more human, the Monster of Frankenstein ?
• Analyze the motivations of the main characters in Frankenstein .
• Victor and the Monster feature radically different perspectives on the events of Frankenstein . Whose viewpoint do you support?
• Is the Creature’s demand for a female companion a valid request? Examine the pros and cons of Victor’s compliance.
• After watching the she-monster torn to pieces, the Creature vows that Victor will “repent of the injuries (he) inflicts. Is the Creature justified in his feelings? Why or why not?
• What role does Elizabeth play in Frankenstein ?
• What is the motivation behind Victor’s vow to find and destroy his creature? Has he learned any lessons?
• Discuss the humanity of Frankenstein ‘s Monster.
• What role does Justine Moritz play in the novel?
• What is the Monster’s experience of meeting people? How do they react? Why is it so?
• How does the Monster learn to read and speak? What is his motivation?
• What role does Safie play in Frankenstein ? Look at her situation from the feminist perspective. She considers marrying a Christian as the only way to become a freer woman. What does this fact tell us about the society she lives in?
• Why does the Monster kill William Frankenstein?
• Examine the relationship between Victor Frankenstein and his monster. How do they interact and communicate with each other?
• How does the creature of Frankenstein form the archetypal monster/horror character?
• “Victor Frankenstein and the Monster share the same personality: like father, like son”. Defend or attack this statement.
• How does Walton’s narration affect the story? How does it affect your interpretation of characters and events?
• Do you think that the monster has free will? Provide textual examples in support of your claim.

🌻 Frankenstein Essay Topics: Themes

• How is the theme of loneliness depicted in Frankenstein by Mary Shelley?
• Discuss the role of sickness in the novel. Victor often seems to fall ill after traumatic events. Is this a means of escape, and, if so, is it effective?
• In what ways does Frankenstein present science and knowledge as dangerous and destructive ?
• How is the idea of exploration revealed in Frankenstein ?
• Responsibility as a Theme in Frankenstein
• How are the dangers of obsession shown in Frankenstein ?
• What ethical concerns the use of animal and human bodies by Victor Frankenstein might raise?
• Analyze Frankenstein through the prism of feminist theory
• Describe the theme of kindness and compassion in Frankenstein
• Frankenstein : the theme of birth
• To what extent does Frankenstein support Mary Wollstonecraft’s claim that women were treated as inferior to men?
• Homosexuality in Frankenstein by Mary Shelley
• Science is portrayed in a bad light in the novel Frankenstein . The author implies that the direction that civilization moves in is determined by what it understands about power. Analyze this statement in relation to the current society.
• Does Frankenstein present the value of the domestic circle?
• Describe how the theme of ambition is presented in Frankenstein .
• Throughout the novel, Victor Frankenstein states that he had no choice, that he was destined, that it was fate that he created the monster. Were his actions really a matter of fate? Or is he simply using fate as an excuse for his actions?
• Critical analysis of human Nature in Frankenstein , as it Connects to Freudian Psychology
• Scientific inquiry in Frankenstein
• Frankenstein as a feminist novel
• Desire and revenge in Frankenstein and Prometheus
• The theme of knowledge portrayed in Frankenstein

⌛ Frankenstein Essay Topics: Context

• Describe how Mary Shelley’s life experiences influenced the story of Frankenstein
• What is the historical relevance of Frankenstein by Mary Shelley? Find in the text the examples of reactions to the historical movements of the Enlightenment , industrial revolution, and romanticism.
• How are the ideas of Shelley’s parents presented in Frankenstein ?
• How does Frankenstein rely on the ideas, beliefs, and issues presented in other texts?
• How might Frankenstein be read as a commentary on scientific progress?
• Historical Context in Frankenstein
• Frankenstein : the autobiography of Mary Shelley?

📊 Compare & Contrast Frankenstein Essay Questions

• Compare and contrast Frankenstein and The Last Man by Mary Shelley
• Science & Nature in Frankenstein & Blade Runner
• How is the theme of revenge shown in Frankenstein and Hamlet ?
• Frankenstein : compare the novel with the movie of 1937
• Compare Frankenstein and The Picture of Dorian Gray
• On First Looking into Chapman’s Homer vs. Frankenstein : compare & contrast
• Compare Frankenstein and Macbeth
• Make a comparison of The Handmaid’s Tale and Frankenstein
• Which Frankenstein movie is most like the book?
• Macbeth & Frankenstein : compare & contrast
• Discuss the differences and similarities between Victor Frankenstein and Beowulf
• Compare and contrast Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein and Robert Stevenson’s The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde .
• How has Frankenweenie , a film by Tim Burton, transformed Frankenstein by Mary Shelley to appeal to modern audiences?
• Frankenstein vs. Great Expectations : compare & contrast
• From superhuman to posthuman: The gothic technological imaginary in Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein and Octavia Butler’s Xenogenesis
• Science, gender and otherness in Shelley’s Frankenstein and Kenneth Branagh’s film adaptation
• Compare and contrast the theme of appearances in Frankenstein to the same theme in other literary works.
• Monstrous characters in Frankenstein and Hedda Gabler
• Pity and revenge in Frankenstein and The Cry of the Children
• Technology’s effect on human relationships: comparing Station Eleven and Frankenstein
• Gender roles in Frankenstein and Fantomina
• Choosing a Topic: Purdue OWL
• Selecting a Topic: UM-Flint
• Introduction to Research: Cornell University
• Find a Topic Idea: Questia
• Share to Facebook
• Share to Twitter
• Share to LinkedIn
• Share to email

Study Guide Menu

• Plot Summary
• Summary & Analysis
• Literary Devices & Symbols
• Essay Samples
• Essay Topics
• Questions & Answers
• Mary Shelley: Biography
• Chicago (A-D)
• Chicago (N-B)

IvyPanda. (2024, March 12). 109 Outstanding Frankenstein Essay Topics. https://ivypanda.com/lit/study-guide-on-frankenstein/outstanding-essay-topics/

"109 Outstanding Frankenstein Essay Topics." IvyPanda , 12 Mar. 2024, ivypanda.com/lit/study-guide-on-frankenstein/outstanding-essay-topics/.

IvyPanda . (2024) '109 Outstanding Frankenstein Essay Topics'. 12 March.

IvyPanda . 2024. "109 Outstanding Frankenstein Essay Topics." March 12, 2024. https://ivypanda.com/lit/study-guide-on-frankenstein/outstanding-essay-topics/.

1. IvyPanda . "109 Outstanding Frankenstein Essay Topics." March 12, 2024. https://ivypanda.com/lit/study-guide-on-frankenstein/outstanding-essay-topics/.

Bibliography

IvyPanda . "109 Outstanding Frankenstein Essay Topics." March 12, 2024. https://ivypanda.com/lit/study-guide-on-frankenstein/outstanding-essay-topics/.

Theme Of Ambition In Frankenstein Essay

Ambition is usually seen as the primary tool to promote achievement. In the novel Frankenstein, there are three outstanding examples of people with ambitions, and each person achieves their goal in a different way. Mary Shelley uses the journeys of Robert Walton, Frankenstein, and the creature to warn against ambition for the purposes of self-gratification, as they ultimately lead to the detriment of the lives of others. In his letters to his sister, Walton is clearly aware that his ambition travel to the North Pole is mostly for his own personal fulfillment.

He writes, “And now, dear Margaret, do I not deserve to accomplish some purpose? My life might have been passed in ease and luxury, but I preferred glory to every enticement that wealth placed in my path” (12). When he and his crew encounter danger, Walton hesitantly decides to abandon his mission, and he and his crew are able to safely return home, unlike Frankenstein who dies before he is able to see his creature again and exact his revenge. Although Walton never realizes his ambition, he is able to learn from the story Frankenstein and his creature about what is truly important in life.

He understands that his achievements are meaningless if they come at the cost of the lives of himself, his family, and his friends. Walton’s decision to abandon his goal to reach the North Pole ultimately results in the preservation of his own life , as well as the lives of his crew members. Walton’s ambition begins as a selfish aim to establish himself in the scientific community, but his ability to sacrifice his desire in order to protect his crew demonstrates his thoughtfulness. Walton’s passionate determination to journey to the North Pole alarms Frankenstein.

He is reminded of his own greatest ambition which caused him to create the creature and indirectly cause the deaths of William, Clerval, Justine, and Elizabeth. After realizing the parallels between Walton’s ambitions and his own, Frankenstein warns Walton, saying, “You seek for knowledge and wisdom, as I once did; and I ardently hope that the gratification of your wishes may not be a serpent to sting you, as mine has been” (26). When Frankenstein succeeds in creating the creature, his overwhelming shock and terror causes him to become depressed .

He becomes uninterested in every subject he had once been passionate about, and his physical health dramatically declines. Because of his experience, Frankenstein acts as a father figure to Walton, wanting to protect Walton from repeating his past mistakes. However, unlike a typical father figure who encourages his child in their endeavors, Frankenstein cautions Walton against becoming too passionate, warning, “Seek happiness in tranquility and avoid ambition, even if it be the only apparent innocent one of distinguishing yourself in science and discoveries. Yet why do I say this?

I have myself been blasted in these hopes, yet another may succeed” (236). Frankenstein does not completely discourage Walton from continuing his journey because he still hopes that Walton will have more success than he did. Although Walton does not succeed in his ultimate ambition, his failure saves the lives of his crew members, while Frankenstein’s success in creating the creature resulted in many deaths. Frankenstein ultimately achieves his ambition of creating life with science, but his self-serving ambition to become a prominent figure in science causes hardships for his creation.

Frankenstein acknowledges the creature merely as a contribution to science, not as a living being with human qualities. Because of Frankenstein’s failure to acknowledge the creature’s human need of companionship, the creature is forced to look elsewhere for compassion and the basic knowledge of emotion and language. The creature finds comfort in watching the De Lacey family’s everyday lives and desires to have companions of his own.

The creature finds difficulty in talking to thers because people are repulsed at his displeasing physical appearance , but he is able to talk to De Lacey whose blindness makes him unable to judge a person based on their outward image. De Lacey reassures the creature, saying, “”Do not despair. To be friendless is indeed to be unfortunate, but the hearts of men, when unprejudiced by any obvious self-interest, are full of brotherly love and charity. Rely, therefore, on your hopes; and if these friends are good and amiable, do not despair”” (144).

When Felix, Agatha, and Safie enter, they reject the creature because of his grotesque features, causing the creature to become violent due to his frustration at his inability to form relationships with others. The creature later explains this frustration to Walton, saying, “Once I falsely hoped to meet with beings who, pardoning my outward form, would love me for the excellent qualities which I was capable of unfolding. I was nourished with high thought of honour and devotion. But now crime has degraded me beneath the meanest animal” (239).

The creature states that, had he achieved his goal of finding friendship, his positive qualities would have been exposed rather than his cruel and murderous qualities. When Frankenstein fails to create a female companion for him, his violent tendencies only intensify. The ambitions of Walton, Frankenstein, and the creature all have selfish aspects involved. Both Walton and Frankenstein wish to establish themselves in the scientific world , and the creature desires to have a companion to fulfill the lack of meaningful relationships in his life.

Frankenstein is the only one who truly achieves his ambition, but his achievement has the most devastating consequences. Although Walton never achieves his scientific ambition, he is able to protect his own life and the lives of his crew. The creature’s failure to achieve his goal of companionship causes him to ruin the lives of others, destroying their abilities to achieve their own ambitions. The novel does not serve as a warning against ambition, but as a reminder to think about how the ambition is achieved, and who it may effect.

To export a reference to this essay please select a referencing style below:

Related essays:

• The novel is Victor Frankenstein
• Frankenstein Is A Reckless Character
• Wal-mart Economics Essay Examples
• Essay about The Morally Ambiguous Character In Mary Shelleys Frankenstein
• Nature Vs Nurture Essay Examples
• Frankenstein, by Mary Shelley
• Grendel & Frankenstein An Analysis Of The Two “Monsters” And Their Superiority To Mankind
• Examples Of Romanticism In Frankenstein
• Mary Shelley’s “Frankenstein”
• Frankenstein, The Modern Prometheus
• Themes and Voices in Frankenstein
• Frankenstein, A Creature of Society

"Creation and Consequence: A Deep Dive into the Ethical Quandaries of Frankenstein"

“Beware; for I am fearless, and therefore powerful.” — Mary Shelley, Frankenstein

Analysis of the quote

This quote is from Mary Shelley's "Frankenstein," spoken by the creature that Victor Frankenstein brings to life. The creature utters these words after reflecting on the circumstances of his existence and the rejection and fear he faces from society.

The quote reflects the theme of the novel, which explores the consequences of unchecked scientific ambition and the ethical responsibilities that come with creating life. The creature's fearlessness stems from the fact that he is an outsider, rejected by society and isolated due to his grotesque appearance. Despite his isolation, he acknowledges his own power, both physical and emotional.

The fearlessness of the creature also underscores the dangers of scientific experimentation without moral consideration. Victor Frankenstein's reckless pursuit of knowledge and power leads to the creation of a being that, while initially benevolent, becomes bitter and vengeful in the face of rejection and isolation.

The quote suggests that fearlessness, when coupled with a sense of power, can have profound and potentially destructive consequences . It speaks to the broader theme of the novel, questioning the ethical boundaries of scientific discovery and the responsibility that comes with playing the role of a creator. The creature's fearlessness and power become a warning about the dangers of neglecting moral and ethical considerations in the pursuit of knowledge and scientific progress.

Analysis of the theme of the book

"Frankenstein" by Mary Shelley encompasses several themes, each contributing to the complexity and depth of the novel. Here are some key themes:

Scientific Responsibility: The novel raises questions about the ethical and moral responsibilities of scientists. Victor Frankenstein's ambitious pursuit of knowledge and his desire to transcend natural boundaries lead to the creation of a being with disastrous consequences. Shelley prompts readers to consider the potential dangers of scientific discovery and the responsibilities that come with wielding such power.

Isolation and Alienation: The theme of isolation is central to the narrative. Both Victor Frankenstein and his creature experience profound loneliness and rejection. Victor isolates himself from friends and family in his single-minded pursuit of knowledge, while the creature, rejected by society due to his appearance, becomes an outcast. This theme underscores the human need for companionship and the destructive effects of social exclusion.

Nature vs. Nurture: The novel explores the question of whether individuals are shaped more by their inherent nature or by their environment and upbringing. The creature's actions and behavior are influenced by his rejection and mistreatment by society, raising questions about the impact of external factors on one's character.

Ambition and Hubris: Victor's unbridled ambition and desire to challenge the limits of scientific knowledge lead to dire consequences. The novel serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of unchecked ambition and the potential consequences of playing the role of a creator without considering the moral implications of one's actions.

Fear of the Other: The creature's physical appearance sets him apart from society, leading to fear and rejection. The novel explores the theme of societal prejudice and the tendency to fear and reject those who are different. It prompts readers to consider the consequences of judging others based on their outward appearance.

The Pursuit of Knowledge: The novel reflects on the pursuit of knowledge and the consequences of acquiring knowledge without wisdom. Victor's relentless pursuit of scientific knowledge, driven by a desire for glory and success, results in tragedy. The novel suggests that knowledge should be pursued with a sense of responsibility and an awareness of the potential consequences.

Gothic Elements: "Frankenstein" is a classic Gothic novel, featuring elements such as eerie settings, supernatural occurrences, and a sense of impending doom. These elements contribute to the atmospheric and emotional tone of the story.

3 reasons the book is a must-read

Exploration of Ethical Dilemmas: "Frankenstein" delves into profound ethical questions related to scientific discovery and creation. The novel prompts readers to contemplate the moral implications of pushing the boundaries of knowledge and the responsibilities that come with playing the role of a creator. The ethical dilemmas faced by Victor Frankenstein and the consequences of his actions provide a thought-provoking exploration of the impact of scientific advancements on society.

Themes of Alienation and Humanity: The novel explores themes of alienation, loneliness, and the essence of humanity. The creature's experiences of rejection and isolation resonate with the universal human desire for acceptance and connection. By examining the creature's struggle for understanding and compassion, readers are prompted to reflect on their own relationships and the broader implications of societal prejudices. The novel encourages empathy and a deeper understanding of what it means to be human.

Influence on Science Fiction and Literature: "Frankenstein" is a foundational work in the science fiction genre and has had a lasting impact on literature and popular culture. By reading this novel, readers gain insight into the origins of science fiction and its exploration of societal fears and aspirations. Understanding "Frankenstein" provides a cultural and literary context for appreciating subsequent works in the genre, making it a valuable read for those interested in the evolution of literature and science fiction.

Disclaimer - This content has been generated with the help of AI.

READ ALSO: "Artistry and Adversity: The Geisha's Tale Unraveled"

READ ALSO: The innate connection between human grief and melancholic music

For more news like this visit TOI . Get all the Latest News , City News , India News , Business News , and Sports News . For Entertainment News , TV News , and Lifestyle Tips visit Etimes

Home — Essay Samples — Literature — Frankenstein — Theme of Isolation in Frankenstein

Theme of Isolation in Frankenstein

• Categories: Frankenstein

About this sample

Words: 644 |

Published: Mar 6, 2024

Words: 644 | Page: 1 | 4 min read

Cite this Essay

Let us write you an essay from scratch

• 450+ experts on 30 subjects ready to help
• Custom essay delivered in as few as 3 hours

Get high-quality help

Dr. Heisenberg

Verified writer

• Expert in: Literature

+ 120 experts online

By clicking “Check Writers’ Offers”, you agree to our terms of service and privacy policy . We’ll occasionally send you promo and account related email

No need to pay just yet!

Related Essays

3 pages / 1228 words

3 pages / 1465 words

1 pages / 1245 words

4 pages / 1725 words

Remember! This is just a sample.

You can get your custom paper by one of our expert writers.

121 writers online

Still can’t find what you need?

Browse our vast selection of original essay samples, each expertly formatted and styled

Related Essays on Frankenstein

Mary Shelley's novel, Frankenstein, is a work that is rich in vivid and evocative imagery, which plays a crucial role in shaping the themes and overall narrative of the story. From the icy landscapes of the Arctic to the [...]

Mary Shelley's iconic novel, Frankenstein, delves deep into the complexities of guilt and its repercussions on the human psyche. From the moment Victor Frankenstein brings his monstrous creation to life, guilt becomes a central [...]

Mary Shelley's Frankenstein is a timeless classic that continues to captivate readers with its rich language and vivid imagery. In this essay, we will explore the use of descriptive words in Shelley's masterpiece and how they [...]

Frankenstein is a Gothic novel that explores themes of isolation, guilt, and the dangers of unchecked ambition. Through the character of Victor Frankenstein, the novel examines how individuals can become their own worst enemies. [...]

‘It is vain to expect virtue from women till they are in some degree independent of men” (Mary Wollstonecraft). Feminism regards the role of women in a patriarchal society in which women are often subjugated and even [...]

The classic 1818 novel Frankenstein, written by author Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley, is without a doubt an essential piece of literature. This critically acclaimed novel presents the monster, one of literature’s most intriguing [...]

Related Topics

By clicking “Send”, you agree to our Terms of service and Privacy statement . We will occasionally send you account related emails.

Where do you want us to send this sample?

By clicking “Continue”, you agree to our terms of service and privacy policy.

Be careful. This essay is not unique

This essay was donated by a student and is likely to have been used and submitted before

Download this Sample

Free samples may contain mistakes and not unique parts

Sorry, we could not paraphrase this essay. Our professional writers can rewrite it and get you a unique paper.

Please check your inbox.

We can write you a custom essay that will follow your exact instructions and meet the deadlines. Let's fix your grades together!

Get Your Personalized Essay in 3 Hours or Less!

We use cookies to personalyze your web-site experience. By continuing we’ll assume you board with our cookie policy .

• Instructions Followed To The Letter
• Deadlines Met At Every Stage
• Unique And Plagiarism Free

Advertisement

Supported by

‘Dark Matter’ Uses Science to Explore Regret and Desire

In this new Apple TV+ techno-thriller, a portal to parallel realities allows people to visit new worlds and revisit their own past decisions.

• Share full article

By Chris Vognar

In the new series “Dark Matter,” a physics professor (Joel Edgerton) is abducted off the streets of Chicago and replaced by an alternative version of himself. This version, instead of toiling away teaching distracted undergrads, is a prize-winning scientist who, among his various accomplishments, has invented a box that can superposition people into parallel worlds.

This alternative Jason, despite his riches and renown in his own universe, covets the humbler Jason’s life and family — his loving wife (Jennifer Connelly) and son (Oakes Fegley). So he steals them, leaving the original Jason to negotiate a limbo of parallel realities, hopping from one to another as he tries to find his way home, like a sci-fi Odysseus.

“Dark Matter,” which premieres May 8 on Apple TV+, was created by Blake Crouch, adapting his own 2016 novel of the same title. The series is part thriller, part family drama and part physics primer, enlisting heady concepts like quantum mechanics, superposition and, well, dark matter, to tell a story about longing, regret and desire.

It is the latest project to depict physics as a vital, fraught and even sexy subject, joining the Oscar giant biopic “Oppenheimer” and the Netflix alien invasion series “3 Body Problem,” which is named for a classical mechanics problem. In these stories, physicists wrestle with matters of life and death that, as in reality, are intertwined with matters of love.

They’re human tales about human dilemmas. But they’re also happy to throw some science into the equation.

“More than anything, Blake and I wanted people to be excited in every episode, learn something in every episode, but also maybe cry in every episode,” Jacquelyn Ben-Zekry said in a video interview. She is a writer and producer on the series and has been Crouch’s developmental story editor since the publication of his 2012 novel “Pines” — she is also married to him.

“We wanted you to feel something in every episode,” she continued. “At the end of the day, it’s the story of a man who loves his wife and child. Everything else is just about making it interesting and exciting, and giving us something to talk about.”

And yet, that man is a physicist; in the first episode of “Dark Matter” we see Jason try to explain the quantum superposition experiment of Schrödinger’s cat, which bears directly on the plot, to a classroom full of largely uninterested students. The heroes of “Oppenheimer,” chiefly the title character, and “3 Body Problem,” about a team of Oxford-trained friends tasked with saving the world, are also physicists. (So are the socially befuddled young brainiacs of “The Big Bang Theory,” the hit sitcom that spawned a prequel, “Young Sheldon,” though the science took a back seat to high jinks and catchphrases.)

These series and movies go into technical specifics to varying degrees. “Dark Matter” dangles its central concepts enough to help make the Jasons’ world-jumping seem at least somewhat plausible and to bring some science to the science fiction.

The series is a techno-thriller, a subgenre popularized by authors like Michael Crichton (“Jurassic Park”), whom Crouch cites as a major influence. It is also a cautionary sci-fi tale, the kind with roots digging down to the origins of the genre, including Mary Shelley’s “Frankenstein” (1818). These are tales of ambition — and often transgression — about the consequences of meddling with the forces of nature. “Oppenheimer,” a historical drama, deals directly with these consequences, asking what it might have felt like to unleash the apocalyptic powers of the atomic bomb (and explaining the concept of fission along the way).

Crouch, best known on TV for the short-lived sci-fi thriller “Wayward Pines” (which was based on his trilogy of novels), is definitely not a physicist. As an English major at the University of North Carolina, he studied geology to fulfill his science requirement.

“Rocks seemed safe, so I did rocks,” he said in a video interview. But he was also a big fan of science fiction, particularly Crichton. “He didn’t invent the techno-thriller, but he made it fun,” he said. “A lot of people think ‘Jurassic Park’ is just schlocky pulp fiction, but it’s really amazing that he wrote a book about dinosaurs and chaos theory. It’s in the weeds on some of that stuff.”

Crouch is pretty comfortable wading in the weeds. He’s enamored of the physicist Aaron O’Connell , and his experiments in superposition. In layman’s terms, superposition refers to the ability of a quantum system to be in multiple different states simultaneously until it is measured. (In the famous Schrödinger’s cat thought experiment, a cat in a box is both is alive and dead at the same time, in a quantum theoretical sense.) While writing “Dark Matter,” Crouch also consulted with the astrophysicist Clifford V. Johnson, then a professor at the University of Southern California who, according to his bio there, was “mainly concerned with the development of theoretical tools for the description of the basic fabric of nature.” (Johnson is now a professor at the University of California, Santa Barbara.)

But for the purposes of the series, as Ben-Zekry put it, “You have to tell a propulsive story. Nobody cares about your science and how smart you are if they’re not entertained and if they’re not excited.”

Viewers might recognize “Dark Matter” as a variation on the multiverse story, made popular in recent years by Oscar winners including “Everything Everywhere All At Once” and “Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse” (and its sequels). It is a popular conceit in the fantasy franchise world, and a useful way to expand those franchise’s storytelling universes. But for Edgerton, the appeal of “Dark Matter” lies largely in the ordinariness of the characters, the fact that they’re dealing with everyday concerns like life-work balance and raising a family.

“It’s a parallel universe narrative for the average family,” Edgerton said in a video interview alongside Connelly. “Rather than going outward into the galaxies and trying to go through wormholes, it becomes a show that looks more inward.”

The defining question behind “Dark Matter” can be summed up by the title of the first episode: “Are You Happy in Your Life?” “It has its own suburban kind of esoteric, pensive pondering about it that I think is superhuman rather than supernatural,” Edgerton said.

And if you learn a little about a subject that gave you fits in high school, Connelly said, that’s great, too. “I think science is exciting personally,” she said. “If people take that away from it, good. Science is super captivating and sexy.”

While acknowledging their imperative to entertain, Crouch and Ben-Zekry also see a higher purpose in putting science front and center, especially in an age when the very concept of facts is increasingly under attack.

“I hope shows like these will go a long way toward uniting thought and reminding people that we’re all in this together,” Ben-Zekry said. “That you don’t have to believe the same things as me, but science can at least give us some objective reality.”

As Crouch sees it, the current climate is enough to make one feel like they’ve tumbled into an alternative reality. Just like Jason.

“Especially post-2016, it feels like we all slipped into another dimension, with this notion of fake news and the question of what is real anymore,” he said. “There’s a destruction of truth and reality. I think we all still want to understand what reality is.”

An earlier version of this article misstated where the astrophysicist Clifford V. Johnson is a professor. He is a professor at the University of California, Santa Barbara, not the University of Southern California. (He was a professor at U.S.C. when Blake Crouch consulted with him during the writing of “Dark Matter.”)

How we handle corrections

Explore More in TV and Movies

Not sure what to watch next we can help..

Andy Serkis, the star of the earlier “Planet of the Apes” movies, and Owen Teague, the new lead, discuss the latest film in the franchise , “Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes.”

The HBO series “The Sympathizer” is not just a good story, it’s a sharp piece of criticism on Vietnam war movies, our critic writes .

In “Dark Matter,” the new Apple TV+ techno-thriller, a portal to parallel realities allows people to visit new worlds and revisit their own past decisions .

The tennis movie “Challengers” comes to an abrupt stop midmatch, so we don’t know who won. Does that matter? Our critics have thoughts .

If you are overwhelmed by the endless options, don’t despair — we put together the best offerings   on Netflix , Max , Disney+ , Amazon Prime  and Hulu  to make choosing your next binge a little easier.

Sign up for our Watching newsletter  to get recommendations on the best films and TV shows to stream and watch, delivered to your inbox.