Frankenstein's Ambition Research Paper

In the flickering light of a stormy night, a young author named Mary Shelley penned a tale that would change the literary landscape for future generations. At nearly 18 years old, Shelley produced a gothic novel that explored the dark side of human ambition and the perilous consequences of unchecked scientific progress. The novel takes place in the 1800s around a young scientist named Victor Frankenstein and his monstrous creation. Throughout his experiment, Frankenstein believes he is conquering death but unleashes a consequence of his own insatiable thirst for knowledge. Frankenstein's insatiable thirst for knowledge, fueled by a desire to defy the natural order, ultimately leads to a tragic downfall, accentuating the potential dangers of

From a young age, he was captivated by scientific discoveries and philosophical ideas. A particularly vivid experience, a violent thunderstorm Frankenstein witnessed at the age of 15, ignited his curiosity even further; as Frankenstein describes it, “from that day natural philosophy, and particularly chemistry, in the most comprehensive sense of the term, became nearly my sole occupation” (29). This passage emphasizes Victor’s early fascination with science and how it fueled his ambition to create life. It also highlights the transformative event that sparked his curiosity. A significant symbol from this scene in the novel is the lightning bolt. In some interpretations, the lightning bolt is a symbol of knowledge. It is a sudden, powerful force that can illuminate and reveal new things. However, like a lightning bolt can be destructive to nature, knowledge can be misused, resulting in dangerous consequences. The cautionary tale of Victor Frankenstein’s ambition, which drives his unchecked pursuit of scientific progress without considering the ethical and moral

Walton sees in Frankenstein a reflection of his own desire to push boundaries and achieve something extraordinary. However, the more Walton learns about Frankenstein’s tale, a realization dawns upon him. Walton begins to understand that unchecked ambition is capable of leading to consequences. The realization is evident in Walton’s words to Frankenstein, “You seek for knowledge and wisdom, as I once did; and I ardently hope that the gratification of your wishes may not be a serpent to sting you, as mine has been” ( ). While Walton initially admires Frankenstein’s strong ambition, he then begins to learn the dangers that are associated with it, as he himself has encountered the consequences of unchecked ambition. The novel Frankenstein, serves as a reminder of the potential dangers of knowledge. Victor Frankenstein’s ambition to create artificial life, which is influenced by the desire to conquer death, leads to his downfall. Frankenstein’s unchecked pursuit of scientific progress without considering the ethical implications of his actions results in the creation of a monster that causes misery and destruction upon