The Supremacy Of Knowledge In Frankenstein

The Intricacy of Knowledge

“Cherish that which is in you and shut out that which is without much knowledge is a curse.” Knowledge is a blessing and curse for the same reason that power can corrupt. It requires maturity and responsibility and is only as valuable as the person using it. In the book Frankenstein, Mary Shelley uses the evolution of Victor and the monster throughout the story to prove that knowledge can be a blessing and a curse.

The change in Victor’s emotional state supports the author’s message of intelligence. As he continued his journey, his spirits rose, “I ardently desired the acquisition of knowledge. “I often had, when at home, thought it hard to remain during my youth cooped up in one place and had longed to enter the

This is important as learning gives him that purpose he needs which is a blessing. Victor warns the listener about the acquisition of this information, “Learn from me, if not by my precepts, at least by my example, how dangerous is the acquisition of knowledge, and how much happier that man is who believes his native town to be the world than he who aspires to become greater than his nature will allow. (Shelley 41). Victor realizes there are limits to what people can do, and it is in our best interests to stay within them. This is important because he is starting to feel guilty, and instead of feeling powerful, he is now feeling distressed. Victor’s acquisition of knowledge takes over his life, and Victor is aware of it, “every night I was oppressed by a slow fever, and I

While conversing with Victor, the monster talks about his encounter with fire, “One day, when I was oppressed by cold, I found a fire which had been left by some wandering beggars, and was overcome with delight at the warmth I experienced from it. In my joy I thrust my hand into the live embers, but quickly drew it out again with a cry of pain. How strange, I thought, that the same cause should produce such opposite effects!” ( Shelley 94-95). The monster first encounters fire and is on cloud nine but then goes to touch it and burns himself. Knowledge is a blessing because the monster learns that fire is warm and makes him happy, but it is a curse because he gets so happy that he touches it and burns himself. After hearing about the murder of William, the monster has an epiphany, “For a long time I could not conceive how one man could go forth to murder his fellow, or even why there were laws and governments; but when I heard details of vice and bloodshed, my wonder ceased, and I turned away with disgust and loathing.” (110). The monster learns about the death of Justine, and he cannot understand it, but when he does, he feels disgusted and in agony. This advances the author’s message about intelligence because the monster was at peace without knowing what murder was but then felt extreme pain when gaining