The Acquisition Of Knowledge In Mary Shelley's Frankenstein

Frankenstein is a novel written by the English writer Mary Shelley, published in 1818. As soon as her book was released, it was classified into a genre of Gothic Horror and Science Fiction literature. Frankenstein is composed of a series of stories. In fact in a series of letters, Robert Walton, an explorer of a ship tells his sister in England of his journey to the North Pole. The life of Victor Frankenstein lies within this series of letters as Victor has been rescued by the captain on the ice. In these circumstances, Walton learns about the existence of Frankenstein’s monster. Indeed, Victor Frankenstein narrates his early life and how he studied chemistry and philosophy at the University of Ingolstadt. He became obsessed with Science, willing

There is a growing acquisition of knowledge that permitted Victor Frankenstein to create life. However, the knowledge that he acquired was dangerous, and led to the death of everyone precious near him. The monster created by Frankenstein is a symbol of the birth of science. Intellectual capability in the novel goes beyond common and basic knowledge. “At first I started back, unable to believe that it was indeed I who was reflected in the mirror; and when I became fully convinced that I was in reality the monster that I am, I was filled with the bitterest sensations of despondence and mortification (Shelley 112).” This statement by the creature means he is aware of what he really is. He has a powerful knowledge even above human thinking. In the novel, the creature is self-educated, he is able to learn how to speak just by listening people talking, he learns how society works and he can express emotions. During the period in which the book was written, scientists began to invent objects and to research more into science. Science became one of the major tools in the process of learning. Mary Shelley is conscious about the possibility of creating new matter with science. Shelley admits the power that science has when the creature recognizes himself in the mirror because science is able to “give birth” to abnormal