Most people know who Frankenstein is—or at least they think they do. Because of the way Mary Shelley’s brilliant 1818 novel has been adapted to f ilm, most Americans think that Frankenstein is a towering, scar-faced monster who brings terror wherever he goes. In Shelley’s novel, however, the real monster is Victor Frankenstein, the scientist who is the monster’s creator. In her story of how Victor Frankenstein creates the monster and what he does after the monster comes to life, Shelley conveys several timeless messages about the dangers of science, the dangers of isolation, and the importance of being a good parent.
The desire to discover what has not yet been discovered or to know what remains unknown often causes destruction and misery. In the Gothic novel Frankenstein, written by Mary Shelley during the Romantic Era, the protagonist Victor Frankenstein experiences anguish after creating life. Victor shares with the reader the anxiety he suffers and the grievous events that permanently alter his perspective after creating a monster. Throughout the novel the reader develops sympathy for Victor due to his dedication to do the right thing, admirable purpose for his creation and the consequences he endures. One is compelled to show affection toward Victor because of his determination to perform noble acts despite the hardships he faces.
Mary Shelley's Frankenstein explores the consequences of playing God and the complex nature of humanity. The central characters, Victor Frankenstein and the Creature, both receive gifts that are both a blessing and a curse. Victor is gifted with an exceptional mind and a passion for science, while the Creature is given life and consciousness. However, these gifts ultimately lead to destruction and despair for both characters. Through analyzing the nature of these gifts and how they contribute to the characters' development, we can better understand the themes of the novel.
In Marry Shelley’s gothic novel Frankenstein, Victor Frankenstein selfishly goes on an unethical scientific journey to gain glory and fame. From a young age Victor has an abundant amount of knowledge and extraordinary ambition that he continues to cultivate through his unfaltering study of science and alchemy. After experiencing the tragic of death of his mother, Victor isolates himself in an attempt to reach the level of success he believes his knowledge and ambition entitles him to. Through his constant dedication to his work, the dangerous project that drives Victor insane comes to life on a dark and stormy night in Ingolstadt, Germany, forever changing his innocence and livelihood. The selfish manner in which Victor yearns to gain glory
Victor’s rejection of accountability aligned with Romantic ideals, of this time, of rebellion against societal norms and institutions. The historical context in which Mary Shelley wrote Frankenstein, plays a significant role in shaping Victor Frankenstein’s character and
Utilizing the novel’s protagonist as a symbol of the Age of Enlightenment, Shelley employs Victor Frankenstein as an example of the egotistical interests exhibited by Enlightenment thinkers. Reiterating, Victor Frankenstein is the main protagonist in Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein, with an obsessive interest in scientific development. However, discouraged by his father, Alphonse Frankenstein, Victor was driven by his eager desire to learn from a young age. As a result, he directed toward the literary work of respected philosophers to soothe his thirst for knowledge. Consequently, a new delusion formed, “Wealth was an inferior object, but what glory would attend the discovery if I could banish disease from the human frame and render man invulnerable to any but a violent death (26)!”
Dussinger, explains the frequent misconception of the story of Frankenstein. The article begins by addressing this misconception by negating the ignorant ideas of those who have yet to read the novel. Dussinger explicitly states that Shelley’s work in Frankenstein only as a story or fairytale type of reading which the plot focuses solely on a “man making a monster.” However, Frankenstein has a much deeper plot and meaning than the stereotype claims. Many readers also question Shelley’s mindset concerning Victor Frankenstein because she made it a habit to never refer to Victor’s character as a scientist despite his scientific
Frankenstein, a piece of literary work, by Mary Shelley exhibits the outcomes of taking risks. This story illustrates an example of the abuse of power unleashed by humans. Victor Frankenstein slowly uses his dangerous ambition, of the creative works of science, into a monster- that he believed would showcase his power of science. In Chapter 4, his childhood hobby, or interest, grows into an obsession.
Throughout Mary Shelley’s novel, Frankenstein, the idea of scientific responsibility is shown in a way that can relate to current situations in the world in terms of the quantification of scientific discoveries toward moral decisions. In the novel, Frankenstein created the monster, knowing the negative effect it could have on society. Despite this knowledge, he continued with his experiment, rather than fully
In Mary Shelley's "Frankenstein," Victor Frankenstein's creation and subsequent abandonment of his powerless monster illustrate the profound consequences of control and neglect, ultimately leading to fear, hatred, and destruction. Victor's initial fascination with natural science and electricity culminates in his ambitious endeavor to create life itself. However, upon bringing the monster to life, Victor is repulsed by its appearance, demonstrating his shallow perception and lack of empathy. This rejection sets the stage for the monster's abandonment and eventual descent into dread and isolation. Victor's failure to take responsibility for his creation reflects his shortsightedness and underscores the theme of neglect.
The Importance of Responsibility Within Science A scientist's moral compass must remain keen in order to ensure that their discoveries do not become a detriment to their society. The growing number of scientific experiments in the past several centuries has caused an equal rise in dangers, causing new laws to be formed regarding scientific responsibility. Mary Shelly’s gothic novel Frankenstein follows the tragic hero Victor Frankenstein and his similarly catastrophic creation. Victor is an ambitious scientist whose reckless pursuit of knowledge leads him to create unnatural life.
Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein criticizes the human quest for knowledge through science and it highlights the moral implications of such undertakings. By following the story of the “mad scientist”, Victor Frankenstein, we see how a man’s ambition can be his downfall. However, Shelley notes that although it is dangerous to partake in immoral science, this curiosity to know more about the world around us and who we are is human instinct. This essay will consider Hindle’s premise that Frankenstein is a criticism of the “lofty ambition of man”. One could argue that by writing Frankenstein, Shelley was “loftily ambitious”, just like the characters in her novel.
Despite being published in 1818 the novel Frankenstein continues to be relevant. This romantic novel can be picked apart to reveal it’s scientific and ethical relevance in modern medicine as she brings up important points in these fields. Through the character of Frankenstein, Mary Shelley emphasises the importance of scientific and medical exploration considering it is for the betterment of the field. Shelley chose to portray the importance of true intention with the best interest of the medical field in mind by having Victor Frankenstein embody the incorrect intentions experimenting in unknown fields. His rants reveal his intentions are both selfish and materialistic.
When it comes to scientific methods, there are a variety of ways in which one can reach their goal. Of course, there are certain rules that one must follow when it comes to scientific research. The foremost of these rules is to abide by a certain code of ethics. In Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein, Victor Frankenstein disregards the ethics of research, preferring to accomplish his goals without thoroughly thinking of the consequences that might arise from creating life for the dead. Of course, he wasn’t the only one ignoring the ethical guidelines of research.
Former president John F. Kennedy once said “ A man does what he must – in spite of personal consequences, in spite of obstacles and dangers and pressures – and that is the basis of all human morality”. Kennedy spoke these words to explain how he sees morality within the world and these words hold extreme relevance within Frankenstein as the two main character’s grapple with their morality throughout the story. In Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein, Victor Frankenstein constantly pursues the search for higher knowledge and that leads him to creating life. His decision to abandon the creature sets him on the path that leads to the creature killing everyone that Victor loved. We see how the Creature developed his own morality based on how society treated him, the cottagers he viewed, and the literature he viewed.
