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5. Conclusion 
The main focus of the present term paper was on the question whether Mary 
Shelley’s Frankenstein could be regarded as science fiction literature. After 
having given a definition of the terminology, it became clear how tough it is to 
define the vague and complex genre of science fiction. Many scholars tried to 
find the right definition of the genre, but it still remains a hard task to give a 
satisfactory answer to that question. Furthermore, it was also pointed out that 
it is nearly unmanageable to find the pioneer author or work of science fiction, 
although there are tendencies that determine one or another work to be the 

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first science fiction novel. Some scholars of science fiction even go back to the 
ancient Greeks starting with Homer’s odyssey as the origin of the genre. 
Others reckon Verne or Shelley to be the pioneers of modern science fiction 
literature. Frankenstein is often called the novel that generated science fiction. 
Still today the question who was first is not agreeably solved by scholars.
Considering the pure definition which refers to the original meaning of 
the term science fiction (cf. De Camp 5), it seems reasonable to reckon works 
to be science fiction that contain topoi such as science and technology, 
inventions and progress as well as the aspect of future. Through numerous 
quotations, it became evident that Shelley’s novel incorporates the typical 
science fiction topoi of the mad scientist and the artificial human. Finally, 
Frankenstein’s legacy was described in the context of the future significance 
of science fiction. Although science fiction literature seems to be obsolete, 
there are still devoted fans who favor literature over films and computer 
games. Nevertheless, it is unquestionable that Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein 
served as an example and inspiration for countless subsequent authors, 
readers and film makers since its typical elements still live on in all kinds of 
media.