Gwaltney 1
Evalyn Gwaltney
Mrs. McBreen–British Literature and Composition
Frankenstein; or The Modern Prometheus Essay
April 25, 2023
A Bioethical Conundrum
One who attempts to create life interferes with the work of the ultimate Creator, and consequences undoubtedly follow anyone rash enough to secure this feat. Such is the case of
Victor Frankenstein, the predominant character in Frankenstein; or The Modern Prometheus by
Mary Shelley, which was published in 1818. [2]During the Year of No Summer, a year when the climate was globally altered by a volcanic eruption in Indonesia, Mary Shelley wrote her novel in response to poet Lord Byron’s suggestion of a ghost-story writing game. [5]Because of a nightmare, Shelley was able to create the plot of a passionate
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[1]Blinded by his passion and ambition, Frankenstein did not consider ethics or consequences when he created a being in the likeness of man and gave it life. [2]Through the course of his life, Frankenstein admired nature, but more than that the hidden workings of it all, such as how life was bestowed. Thus, he was overly obsessed when he ascertained that divine secret and “played god.” However, although Frankenstein had devoted two years to his creation, he instantly regrets his actions: “I had desired it with an ardour that far exceeded moderation; but now that I had finished, the beauty of the dream vanished, and breathless horror and disgust filled my heart”(25). Frankenstein had formed no plan. [4]Neglecting any moral duties to his creation, Frankenstein, who esteemed outward appearance, abandoned the creature when it first opened its eyes. [5]As a result, the creature was left to single-handedly survive and unlock any meaning in life on its own. [3]Undoubtedly, Frankenstein had allowed his discovery to steer himself to