Technology In Frankenstein Essay

In Gris Grimly’s graphic adaptation of Mary Shelley’s ‘Frankenstein’, the theme of technology and its relationship with humanity are explored through Frankenstein’s process of creating his monster. Both Grimly and Shelley highlight how advancements in technology have the ability to corrupt and impact one’s morality and ethical principles. ‘Frankenstein’ displays how technology can negatively influence human ambition and cause one to disregard their morals. In Volume I, Chapter 3, Frankenstein is in the process of creating his monster and expresses that he “kept [his] workshop of filthy creation”. The adjective “filthy” typically denotes something that is unclean or dirty. Here, the use of “filthy” implies that he understands how unpure his

Frankenstein also states how “the dissecting room and the slaughterhouse furnished many of [his] materials; and often did [his] human nature turn with loathing from [his] occupation, whilst still urged on by an eagerness which perpetually increased”. A “slaughterhouse” is usually reserved for the butchering of animals and livestock. By describing his room as a “slaughterhouse”, it suggests that he views the corpses being used as animals instead of humans. This begins the theme of separation from human morals and human ambition as Frankenstein admits his “human nature turn[s] with loathing from [his] occupation” but is “still urged on by an eagerness”. The words “loathing” and “eagerness” are juxtaposed, as it is once again suggested that Frankenstein is fully aware of the immorality he has committed, but still chooses to continue his work, displaying the idea that human ambition and the desire for creation can overpower one’s moral righteousness. At the end of the page, an aspect-to-aspect transition is used to provide insight into the lengths Frankenstein has gone to fulfil his goal. The three panels, each depicting grotesque images of discarded body parts and bones highlight how, in Frankenstein’s search for the ‘perfect’ part