Morality In Frankenstein

Centuries ago, a sixteen year old girl undertook a literary challenge that unbeknownst to her would deeply resonate with society and become one of the few “timeless tales” that have been written throughout history. A story of a man and his monster transcends the torrents of a multitude of interpretations and retellings, consistently containing key elements which enlighten the reader/viewer to the recurring themes and moral ambiguity of the story. Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein, a gothic tale set in pre-modern Europe, brings to light many moral questions still existing in the present day. Questions are posed such as when does life begin and end; to what extent should scientific progression be allowed to tamper with creating life and bringing once

Frankenstein and its closely related story-plot-cousins captivate audiences throughout the world and throughout time due to the situations that cause the reader/viewer to question their stance on morality and ethics revolved around the “Frankenstein Creature”.

When reading Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein, readers approach, reach, and have to double back to make sure the monumental scene of the Creature coming to life was really just those miniscule few lines fit snugly inside the many paragraphs much like the rest of the novel. The scene which holds such significance in the vast majority of Frankenstein’s reinterpretations is over before it seemed to have even begun in the novel. Reinterpretations, however, take artistic liberties to dramatize the moment. There is an ongoing debate of “where does life begin and end?” Frankenstein, while not revealing the precise methodology behind the Creature’s creation, does compel the reader and/or viewer of an interpretation to wonder how one can create life? Thoughts such as

Robotic limbs and stem cell research is moving forward by leaps and bounds. Researchers are coming up with many agriculturally and medically beneficial discoveries at astounding rates, but to what end? At this rate of progression, will scientists be able to help themselves from attempting a Frankenstein Creature of their own? Joan Slonczewski expresses in Stem Cells and Human Cloning: The Postmodern Prometheus a much more in depth analysis of where the idea of a Frankenstein Creature can take the world. Among discussing the history and vast progression of transgenesis and genetic research, Slonczewski addresses serious moral and political dilemmas relating to the extent humanity should be allowed to achieve in meddling with the creation of living organisms. Professor Leon Kass, an advisor for United States’ President Bush, was referenced in her analysis when Slonczewski asks “Why is cloning so bad? Kass speaks of the ‘narcissism of those who would clone themselves,’ and the ‘grotesqueness’ of those who would clone others” (Slonczeski). Dolly the lamb was disregarded as an accidental success, but since her creation, “all kinds of mammals have been cloned, including a monkey and twenty-four "perfect" cows” (Slonczewski). Cloning in the agricultural industry has aided both in the plant and animal domains. However, these clones have been made with a certain amount of self interest in