Frankenstein- Acquirement of Knowledge Essay - 1475 Words

â€Å"How the dangerous is the acquirement 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.† To what extent does Shelley’s Frankenstein support Victor Frankenstein’s view? Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein explores the concepts of knowledge and science and the dangers involved with the pursuit and investigation of these ideas. The novel conveys Shelley’s attitudes towards science by portraying it as having the capability to exceed the bounds of human restraint. Through the development of her protagonist Victor Frankenstein, the romantic and gothic aspects of her novel, the period of 1818 and the influences of the world she was living in that†¦show more content†¦She also tells her readers that God and His ability to create life is not meant to be understood by humans and that she was concerned with the effects that science and technology could have in the future. Shelley’s uses of romantic and gothic elements also enhance the negative portrayal of science and its potential destruction. Her writing conveys gloomy settings of Frankenstein as well as the appreciation of nature. Dark ambiance is evident in the description of Frankenstein’s laboratory: â€Å"In a solitary chamber, or rather cell, at the top of my house, and separated from all the other apartments by a gallery and staircase, I kept my workshop of filthy creation...the dissecting room and the slaughterhouse furnished many of my materials†. This description invokes a repulsive reaction in the reader and therefore a tainted opinion of science. One of the important scenes that reflected Mary Shelley’s attitudes towards science is the portrayal of Frankenstein’s awe when he sees the lightening strike the tree, showing his curiosity towards science-â€Å"As I stood at the door, on a sudden I beheld a stream of fire issue from an old and beautiful oak.. .and no soon as the sizzling light vanished, the oak disappeared, and nothing was left but a blasted stump†. In this quote the power and beauty of nature is apparent andShow MoreRelatedViews and Values in Frankenstein Essay example977 Words   |  4 PagesThroughout Mary Shelley’s â€Å"Frankenstein, Shelley expresses her views of the time through Walton. A main consequence the acquirement of knowledge is seen to be detrimental to the lives of those whom seek it and those around it. This concern, is conveyed, on a surface level, through the way in which Walton’s desire for knowledge, more specifically, the â€Å"unexplored regions..of the mist and snow† leads him to physical danger of being caught in the dangerous conditions of the North Pole. This idea isRead MoreThe Danger of Knowledge (Comparative essay Frankenstein vs Macbeth1089 Words   |  5 PagesThe Danger of Knowledge Aaron Rudyk 6/18/2013 Mr. Brown ENG 3U In Shakespeare’s play Macbeth and Mary Shelly’s novel Frankenstein it can be said that both protagonists come to an unfortunate end. What leads to Macbeth and Frankenstein’s premature demise? Victor Frankenstein and Macbeth both demonstrate that acquisition of knowledge is dangerous and to seek it for the purpose of power leads to destruction of life. Macbeth’s and Frankenstein’s knowledge leads to overwhelmingRead MoreDangers of Acquiring Knowledge Illustrated in Mary Shelly’s Frankenstein1075 Words   |  5 PagesHow Dangerous is the Acquirement of Knowledge? Mary Shelly’s Frankenstein Although Mary Shelly did not have a formal education growing up motherless in the early nineteenth century, she wrote one of the greatest novels nonetheless in 1819, Frankenstein. The novel has been the basis for many motion picture movies along with many English class discussions. Within the novel Shelly shares the stories of two men from very different worlds. The reader is introduced to Robert Walton, the main narratorRead More Human Limitations Exceeded, in Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein799 Words   |  3 Pages Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein investigates the idea of knowledge, and the dangers that may occur during the inquiry of these ideas. The novel shows Mary Shelley’s outlooks towards science by mimicking it as having the ability to exceed the boundaries of human limitation. The acquirement of dangerous knowledge is detrimental because it can be used for negative purposes such as nuclear weapons, genetic modification, and unethical medical research. Victor Frankenstein is used as the main symbol thatRead MoreThe Intellectual Pursuit and Its Social Counterpart in Frankenstein1056 Words   |  5 PagesIntellectual Pursuit and Its Social Counterpart Victor Frankenstein, as a scientist, has a burning passion and an infinite curiosity for the science of reanimation. After spending years studying what is known of the subject, Victor makes a discovery that would have been considered an enormous scientific breakthrough. However, once Frankenstein applies this new science, the science becomes a detriment to society, never to be attempted again. Frankenstein ignored the social implications of the science ofRead MoreShelley s Views Of The Dangers Of Knowledge1679 Words   |  7 Pagesdangers of knowledge contained in her novel Frankenstein â€Å"You seek for knowledge and wisdom, as I once did; and I ardently hope that the gratification of your wishes not be a serpent to sting you, as mine had been,† this fragment of Victor Frankenstein’s conversations with Robert Walton exemplifies Mary Shelley’s views of the dangers of knowledge, in her novel, â€Å"Frankenstein; or, The Modern Prometheus,† where main characters Robert Walton and Victor Frankenstein ruthlessly peruse knowledge. The themeRead MoreFrankenstein, By Mary Shelley1416 Words   |  6 PagesMary Shelley: Frankenstein Knowledge is given to those that understand the power it holds, this power could either destroy or help one in their path to success. In Frankenstein by Mary Shelley, we see this idea being practiced by individuals in the novel. However, they are incapable of seeing the dangerous potential outcomes of misunderstanding knowledge and the power it offers, leading to their ruin. We see the suffering as a cause of knowledge through Victor Frankenstein’s creation of life, TheRead More Essay on Mary Shelleys Frankenstein and Bladerunner941 Words   |  4 PagesSimilarities between Frankenstein and Bladerunner    Many similarities can be found between Mary Shelleys 1816 novel, Frankenstein and the 1982 movie Bladerunner . The number of similarities between these two works, created more than two hundred years apart, is staggering. A cursory look at both works reveals these similarities: Both stories feature a very intelligent person trying to play God through the creation of life. Both of the creatures were subsequently mistreated by their makerRead MoreEssay on Frankenstein Versus Frankenscience1610 Words   |  7 PagesFrankenstein Versus Frankenscience The story of Frankenstein. A story that I, myself, have been familiar with for a good part of my life. It is most popular among horror film fanatics and becomes one of the most desired stories to be told around Halloween. Some see it as a well-told story of a man and his monstrous creation. But is there something deeper? Mary Shelley, the author of Frankenstein, gives light to many truths about the era of modern science. She is using Victor FrankensteinRead MoreThemes in Frankenstein Essay664 Words   |  3 PagesFrankenstein deals with two main social concerns, the level of moral responsibility that a creator possesses in relation to his creation, as well as the issue of the moral boundaries that exists in ones quest for knowledge, including the fine line between good and bad knowledge, The novel also deals with two main human concerns, which include a persons goals or aspirations as well as the issue of pride and its affect on a person. Mary Shelley highlights the issue of moral responsibility by