Curiosity In Frankenstein Essay

1007 Words5 Pages

Implications of Curiosity: Primarily Sympathetic to Primarily Conceited Although curiosity can allow primarily sympathetic individuals to remain vigilant and informed about an ever-changing environment, it also maintains the ability to transform them into primarily conceited individuals. Mary Shelley, in her novel Frankenstein, illustrates this concept through the dramatization of a number of themes and issues. The author opens the novel in Geneva, Switzerland, in which there is an introduction to the young Victor Frankenstein, along with his father, mother, and adopted sister. Initially, the reader observes Victor Frankenstein’s primarily sympathetic personality. His curiosity is supported by his passion for scientific advancement. As Mary …show more content…

Upon recognizing the consequences of his actions, Victor Frankenstein attempts to hunt the monster all over Europe, even in danger of losing his life. The novel concludes with Victor Frankenstein being unsuccessful in his mission, in which he perishes on Captain Robert Walton's ship traveling north in the Arctic Circle. Nonetheless, the overall message regarding science and the pursuit of knowledge as well as whether the themes still resonate today is essential to analyze Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein.
The overall message regarding science and the pursuit of knowledge is portrayed by the author throughout the duration of the novel. The earliest tragedy becomes evident through Victor Frankenstein’s life, demonstrating his isolation and independent battle with the outside world. Victor Frankenstein started reading scientific literature and researching the works of eminent scientists' at 13 years old. Additionally, he pays great attention to how nature is behaving in his surrounding environment. By way of illustration, this phenomenon is revealed as Victor Frankenstein recounts, “Natural philosophy is the genius that has regulated my fate; I …show more content…

Even though Mary Shelley published the novel approximately two hundred-four years ago, the themes still resonate today. During the twenty-three chapters of Frankenstein, the author exhibits Victor Frankenstein’s monster to be composed of various pieces, lacking an identity. In doing so, the author encompasses the more broad notions of relinquishing power, feeling hopeless, and discovering a sense of belonging. By way of illustration, the novel narrates an interaction between Victor Frankenstein and the monster he created “…when, by the dim and yellow light of the moon, as it forced its way through the window-shutters, I beheld the wretch—the miserable monster whom I had created” (Shelley, 36). Furthermore, Mary Shelley encourages the reader to analyze the relevance of considered topics in Frankenstein, including the confrontation of injustices, birth tragedies, class tragedies, and racial tragedies, through a modern viewpoint. Specifically, Mary Shelley emphasizes the outcome when human ambition triumphs over consideration for other individuals, in association with society today. In addition, the author imparts a moral precept that excessive pride brings about catastrophe. The reader can be persuaded to reflect on both the nature of human beings and scientific potential, despite a