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Similarities Between Frankenstein And The Enlightenment

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The concept of all people being equal was one that was new to the people of the age of Enlightenment. Equality would grant all men a say in their government and let them explore the world around them. Jean-Jacques Rousseau demonstrates how the ideals of society were changing when he states The common good is what is best for a society as a whole, not just for a few people or the individual or group that is acting. The common good is built upon equality. It is meant to ensure the welfare of all people regardless of social class. Abbe Sieyes says "Inequalities of wealth or ability are like the inequalities of age, sex, size, etc. In no way do they detract from the equality of citizenship." The thinkers of the Enlightenment believed that all …show more content…

This led to many new advancements in the sciences. In Frankenstein, Victor Frankenstein is able to pursue the studies he wants, depending on what he feels like getting involved in at the time. He says "In this mood of mind I betook myself to the mathematics, and the branches of study appertaining to that science, as being built upon secure foundations, and so worthy of my consideration."He is able to study whatever field he wants, when he wants to study it. The fields of science were rapidly advancing, because of the new freedom that was part of the cause of the Enlightenment thinkers. But, along with the new rights and freedoms people were to be acquiring, there would be new duties that they would also …show more content…

The great thinkers of the time period brought some very radical changes into the world. They based all of their ideals on the principle that are men are equal. As a result of the freedoms they wanted, people would be able to do as they pleased and further the sciences, as long as it did not hurt the common good. They led the world into several revolutions that brought about great change. The people of the Enlightenment wanted to break down the barriers that separated the classes and shift the balance of power to the people. They had to make sacrifices as a result of the new privileges they gained, but it was at a price that everyone was willing to pay. They were willing to sacrifice for the common good, because it would benefit the majority. The ideals and ideas the Enlightenment sparked helped to shape the American society of

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In the Declaration of Independence, it is a common objective to state that all men are equal. Jefferson wrote: “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed

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All men were born equal. That is one of John Locke’s, a great philosopher’s, ideas. Every man, from the farmer to the artisan to the politician, is equal. As equal citizens, we should have representation in the government and what laws are placed upon us,

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They wanted to be treated as individuals, not just servants of men. They wanted more opportunities for employment and education. They wanted the option to run for office, speak in front of Congress, and vote. And that's

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Enlightenment was a concept that inspired a new way of thinking of the people. In the newly formed United States of America, enlightenment shaped the way the new government was run. Scientific reasoning was applied to politics, religion, and science. Enlightenment saved music, art, and literature programs in colleges. Enlightenment in Europe led to drastically altered views on philosophy, politics, and communications.

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During the Enlightenment new ideas were created that greatly impacted society. The new ideas created during the Enlightenment impacted society so much that many of the ideas were utilized when forming the government of the United States. Three European men Montesquieu, Voltaire, and Rousseau each had their own unique views of what would be best for society. Each philosopher had ideas that would make today 's society more ideal and with hard work are possible to achieve.

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Of course, there would be freedom for those on the upper rungs of society who benefit from inequality. However, this small segment of the population does not represent the people. Without the base of equality, society would still exist in the past state of aristocracy, and the rights of the people would be surrendered to the limited few who concentrate most of the power. This much was clear to Tocqueville, who attributed the “middle-class and democratic freedom of which the world’s history had not previously provided”(34) to the absence of inequality found in America(33). However, this does not necessarily mean that equality guarantees

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Enlightenment manifested in Mary Shelley's Frankenstein because the ideas of Hobbes shown. Hobbes believed that all humans are born wicked and in the movie, when the monster resurrected and later tried to kill him, Dr. Frankenstein said "Evil stitch to evil, stitch to evil, stitch to evil" since he sewn different parts of the body to the body of the guy who killed the professor. Hobbes also believed that human passion leads to a state of war within society, Dr. Frankenstein was very passionate about creating a life but with that passion he also caused chaos, violence and destruction.

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My Values of Equality Milton Friedman, an American economist, in his article “Created Equal”, points out his concept about “Created Equal”. Friedman discusses the different ways that humans are considered to be equal, and then he declares three specific categories for human equality: equality before God, equality of opportunity and equality of outcome. Friedman argues that the first equality is the Founders’ use, the second equality is compatible with liberty, and the third equality is socialism. Equality is such a beautiful word that everyone should appreciate, and Friedman claims his points about its concept from his own comprehension. I really respect Friedman’s points about equality; however, there is something critical about equality which

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education, however after his experiment, Frankenstein gained real knowledge (Sylvia 20). Failure is a part of maturing and gaining greater knowledge of a subject is a part of enlightening. Through failure Frankenstein realized that his job is not to create life, and that through seeking the secrets of life, he ultimately got himself killed (Frankenstein dies at the end of the book), “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” (Shelley 22). This goes to show how enlightenment cannot be just experience or just education, there needs to be a proper balance between them.

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Furthermore, Shelley examines the relation that Frankenstein and his monster have towards relevant motifs of Enlightenment such as science, religion, and humanity. To begin with, the era of Enlightenment was characterized by numerous scientific discoveries in Europe. Advances were made in various scientific fields such as astronomy, physics, and mathematics. They caused large controversies which had a deep impact on people’s thinking about God and religion.

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However, to create an equal society in the sense that people have the same laws, freedom and opportunities is more practical. Wealth tends to create more wealth; expanding the gap between fortunate and unfortunate. Kenny Troutt and Howards Schultz are victims of this. Kenny Troutt was born into an unequal society.

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“If we value the pursuit of knowledge, we must be free to follow wherever that search may lead us” Adlai E. Stevenson. The politician explains his perception of creativity in this quote along with its connection to ambition by relating determination and faith to the discovery of knowledge. He believes that nothing can restrict our drive to seek information when one entirely devotes himself to the pursuit. Similarly, in Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein, Victor Frankenstein, Robert Walton, and the creature all attempt to acquire arcane knowledge at any and all costs. Their ambition drives them to take risks and even put the lives of themselves and others on the line.

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Frankenstein: From Benevolent to Feind “I was benevolent and good; misery made me a fiend.” (Shelley 69) Said by Frankenstein’s monster, this quote truly defines him: initially an affectionate, love-seeking creature, he transformed into an enraged killer, angry at humanity for the undeservedly poor way he was treated. Victor Frankenstein is an unique, complex individual who encounters a similar change of nature for similar reasons. The quote—though spoken by the monster—encapsulates the evolution of Victor Frankenstein’s personality; misery—a product of isolation and loneliness—aroused a deterioration of temperament from an initially benevolent Frankenstein.

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The Enlightenment gave people power to make the changes they wanted for independence and politics using intellect and reason, their natural right. The norm of a society that is modelled today became reason over

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So, where did inequality come from? How did it all start? Is inequality necessary for society? Jean Jacques Rousseau heavily influenced socialist thoughts and saw that there were two forms of inequality: natural and social. Natural inequality consisted of “difference of age, health, bodily strengths, an the qualities of the mind or of the soul.”

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