Destruction Through Knowledge in Frankenstein Knowledge can be redeeming or atrocious; it all depends on how it is used. Knowledge requires a responsible mind to use it for the greater good. In the novel Frankenstein, knowledge was given to a mind that was not ready for it. Victor, the man with the knowledge, was not in a healthy state of mind to be able to use it responsibly. As a result of this, global destruction was unleashed and people’s lives were changed forever. In Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein, she argues that knowledge leads to destruction when placed in the hands of a weak mind. Victor’s knowledge and godly curiosity to create life, led him to make an uncontrollable murderer. This creation was built purely out of selfishness and greed: …show more content…
Why did I live? Why in that instant did I not extinguish the spark of existence which you had so wantonly bestowed? … I could with pleasure have destroyed the cottage and its inhabitants and have glutted myself with their shrieks and misery.” (155-156). The Creature’s anger towards Victor led the creature to be in a state of mind where he will kill any living thing that stands before him. If The Creature wouldn’t have known that Victor abandoned him, then the creature wouldn’t be so violent and murderous. The knowledge that the person that created him, left him all alone in the world, led him to believe that nobody loves him. He had no one to care for, and no one to care for him. This knowledge causes him to become even more mad at Victor, and he says, “For the first time the feelings of revenge and hatred filled my bosom, and I did not strive to control them.” (158). This madness makes The Creature’s goal to destroy every happy thing in Victors life, and not try to control or stop it. Starting with his brother, The Creature decides to start his plan of revenge on Victor: “Frankenstein! You belong then to my enemy- to him towards whom I have sworn eternal revenge; you shall be my first victim.” (163). Another innocent victim is being killed because the creature knows he is not loved. The Creature will stop at nothing to destroy the things that Victor