Abstract：Since 1818,Frankenstein has enjoyed an enduring popularity among the reading public and critics as well.It is very necessary and significant to explore and review the profound thoughts of ecological ethics in this novel in the context of world-wide environmental crisis.

    This thesis reveals Frankenstein, or The Modern Prometheus from three aspects of Ecocriticism, that is, Natural Ecology, Social Ecology and Spiritual Ecology which severally exposes the complexity of three basic relationships—man-and-nature relationship, man-and-man relationship and man-and-self relationship. With the interpretation of this novel from the perspective of ecological ethics, this thesis tries to awake human’s ecological ethical awareness—to attach great importance to the earth's ecological balance and appeal to people to keep ecological balance with nature, society and spirit as the whole.

Key words: Frankenstein; Tragedy; Ecocriticism,Harmony

CONTENTS

ABSTRACT

中文摘要

Chapter One    INTRODUCTION.1

1.1Introduction to the Author and the Novel-1

1.2 An Overview of Ecocriticism-2

Chapter Two    LITERATURE REVIEW-4

ChapterThree THE CONTRADICTION AND HARMONY BETWEEN   HUMAN AND NATURE-5

3.1The Conflict Between Human and Nature-5

3.2The Harmony Between Human and Nature-6

Chapter Four REASONS FOR FRANKENSTEIN'S DOOMED TRAGEDY-8

4.1 Natural Ecology in Frankenstein —the Offence of Natural Law and Abandonment-8

4.1.1Victor:Violation of Natural Law -8

4.1.2Creature:A Poor Outcast-9

4.2 Social Ecology in Frankenstein—Disharmonious Human Relationships-10

4.2.1Victor's Disharmonious Relationship with Society and His Creature-10

4.2.2Creature's Disharmonious Relationship with Society and His Creator-11

4.3 Spiritual Ecology in Frankenstein—Alienation-12

4.3.1 Victor's Spiritual Torture Due To His Sin-12

4.3.2.Great Spiritual Sufferings of the Creature-13

Chapter Five  RETURN OFTHE SELF -15

5.1 Return of the Self :Nature-15

5.2 Return of the Self:Womenand Society-16

Chapter Six   CONCLUSION-18

WORKS CITED-20