How Is Frankenstein Related To The Pursuit Of Knowledge

The pursuit of knowledge is what makes us advance as a society, actually, some people may think it gives you power. Nowadays, technology and science are constantly advancing, but taking it to a point where you make it your only priority, can turn into an unhealthy obsession that will consume your life. This can be related to the novel Frankenstein: the Modern Prometheus, by Mary Shelley, in which Victor Frankenstein deals with the risks of the pursuit of knowledge. Mary Shelley uses the characterization of Victor and the conflicts that he encounters to convey that the pursuit of knowledge is a dangerous quest, as evidenced by his ambition and isolation.

In the first few chapters of the book, we can see how Victor seeks knowledge, his ego

When Victor goes to University, he attends Mr. Waldman’s chemistry class, even though he was told by the other professor that studying chemistry was a waste of time. During this class, his desire for science started awakening: “So much has been done, exclaimed the soul of Victor, more, far more, will I achieve: treading in the steps already marked, I will pioneer a new, explore unknown powers, and unfold to the world the deepest mysteries of creation” (Shelley, 48). As he listens to the progress science has made, he immediately starts to think about what else could he achieve, or how far he can go with science. This reaction shows his ego and pride, he thinks he is going to surpass other big scientists’ accomplishments. This ambition he has grows so much over time and he ends up having an endless thirst for knowledge. This is shown by Victor’s characterization after he gives life to his creature. After achieving an unbelievable advancement in science, his reaction was disgust: “How can I describe my emotions at this catastrophe, or how to delineate the wretch whom with such infinite pains and care I had endeavored to

First, he isolated himself to create the creature, and later, he does it again because of the guilt he feels about his mistakes and lack of responsibility. When Justine dies because of being declared guilty of committing William’s murder, Victor sinks into a deep sense of guilt and sorrow: “The blood flowed freely in my veins, but a weight of despair and remorse pressed on my heart, which nothing could remove” (Shelley, 94). Although Victor is not the cause of their deaths, he is linked to them. Not thinking before about what consequences his knowledge would bring, is what makes him miserable. He feels deeply guilty, and he doesn’t know how to get rid of the feeling that from now on, he will have to carry. So, he considers finishing off with whole regret by committing suicide: “I was tempted to plunge into the silent lake, that the waters might close over me and my calamities forever” (Shelley, 95). He is living in torture, and he is willing to cease those thoughts. He deals with this on his own, since nobody really knows the truth, and it will make him struggle even more when trying to get over it. Pursuing knowledge had risks and it made Victor learn to live on his own. Knowledge absorbed him and his life, it made him put all his focus only on science. When he realized the consequences of his risk-taking