Frankenstein Vs Moreau

1181 Words5 Pages

Science in media has influenced our attitudes toward science and scientists from its earliest days. For many people, the reality of science is based on what they’ve encountered in media. While this may not necessarily be bad or harmful themselves, media is no doubt influential on individuals, as well as society as a whole. Memorable characters such as Dr. Frankenstein and Dr. Moreau have become our paradigm for our attitudes and fears towards science and its practitioner. Media sells us an ideology we are quick to attach ourselves to. Yet do we actually know what message we are being sold and if it is worth buying?
Created as a scientific experiment by an overly ambitious man, he comes into a frightening and hostile world that immediately rejects …show more content…

Moreau is one of the representatives of a perennial science fiction classic. Simply due to it becoming more and more relevant as scientific achievements catch up to Well’s theories. The Island of Dr. Moreau is present in so many popular culture references that you feel like you’ve already read it and you’re just revisiting an old friend. Genetics (eugenics), animal experimentation, scientific chauvinism, and ethical imposition are not only seriously but intelligently explored. Wells' implied conclusions may be unsettling and pessimistic, however, The Island of Dr. Moreau is a thought provoking story, especially as we continue to make advances in science that come into moral question. Through the process of vivisection, animals are turned into imitations of men by Dr. Moreau, who comes to represent a science unimpeded by ethical concerns claiming any constraints on research would hinder scientific discovery and technological advances. But are humans really entitled to indulge in experiments that satisfy their curiosity, regardless of the consequences or is there a line that must be drawn? There is actually more than a touch of Frankenstein’s story in this novel regarding the extremes of hubris inherent in modern science and technology. Similar to Shelley’s Frankenstein, these creations called the “Beast Folk” are not simply portrayed as one dimension monsters, but rather have complex and attributes that is “utter strangeness and yet the strangest familiarity” to human (29, Wells). In which Wells deftly portrayed a battle between the beasts’ natural instinct versus their synthetic human, painting a picture of nature versus man’s attempt to change natural order, and what results is nothing short of unforgettable. It is clear that instead of adjusting to nature, man attempts to adjust nature so it will fit them best. However, based on The Island of Dr. Moreau and Frankenstein, this is not always the best choice. Nature is nature, animals are