Ambition In Frankenstein

Ambition and the pursuit of success are natural human instincts that drive us to continue living. But in many cases, the path to our goals and purpose is marred with poor choices that impact our moral code and beliefs. So the question is: How do ambitions affect someone’s moral conscience, and how far would and should they go to achieve their dreams? The four texts I will analyse in this essay are ‘Frankenstein’ by Mary Shelley, ‘Jurassic Park’ directed by Stephen Spielberg, ‘The Picture of Dorian Gray’ by Oscar Wilde and ‘Guardians of the Galaxy Volume 3’ directed by James Gunn. Victor Frankenstein, John Hammond, Dorian Gray, and the High Evolutionary are all literary characters that explore the complex nature of someone’s struggle with their

His motivation to create a stronger, more powerful race was not to make the world a better place but for ego and an insatiable hunger for control and recognition. He carelessly treats the deceased and life itself as nothing more than an object and means with which he feels the right to experiment. Frankenstein’s longing to be recognised as a revolutionary scientist and his need for control and power represented many of the male scientists during Shelley’s time who focused on glory and discovery. His belief that “A new species would bless me as its creator and source; many happy and excellent natures would owe their being to me” conveys how his innocent dream of scientific discovery twisted into a dream of ruling over a race willing to adore and worship him. He speaks as if the creature would be glad to be born in such an unnatural and sadistic way and suggests the creature is

Like Frankenstein, his biggest fault is disregarding the unnaturalness of artificial creation and viewing mistakes and casualties as “delays”. While Hammond could value and appreciate the dinosaurs as something unique, he still primarily viewed them as theme park attractions he had the right to control. He does not consider how anyone should exist purely for the sake of entertainment or for someone else. His lack of respect for his dinosaurs is conveyed throughout the film, but dominantly when he is frustrated over the failure of his first tour and carelessly overlooks a sick triceratops. Rather than care about the beings he created, he was more concerned with the poor reception of his visitors. Hammond’s lack of responsibility and aversion to criticism is exemplified when Ian Malcom confronts him and asks, “Don’t you see the danger, John, inherent in what you’re doing here? Genetic power’s the most awesome force the planet’s ever seen, but you wield it like a kid that’s found his dad’s gun.” Hammond cooly disregards natural evolution and the laws of science for the tantalising prospect of creation and global acknowledgement. In many ways, people like John Hammond and Frankenstein are common in this world. They all want to be the first to do something original and significant, and in doing so, they forget or ignore