Discovery And Exploration In Mary Shelley's Frankenstein

Mary Shelley’s novel, Frankenstein, highlights the theme of discovery and exploration through the protagonists’ curiosity of science and the world they live in, which drives them to make new discoveries. Victor Frankenstein’s fascination with science allows him to make irrational decisions without thinking about the consequences of his actions beforehand. Furthermore, after Victor explores the dead, his motives are scattered as he seemingly acknowledges death as a public deed after bringing the dead back to life. The many experiences the monster has within society forces him to discover the way of life. Overall, the theme of discovery and exploration drive the plot of the novel in the sense that it allows Victor and the monster to learn about

While doing so, he is forced to independently explore the societal norms of the unusual world. Moreover, the monster unknowingly educates himself about the world through firsthand experiences and interactions between the cottagers. He soon begins to develop the senses as he says, “A strange multiplicity of sensations seized me, and I saw, felt, heard, and smelt at the same time” (70). Although these were unwillful discoveries, these new elements that were brought into the monster's life were crucial in his existence. Nonetheless, after he discovers human senses, he begins to understand their emotions too. After observing the different interactions between the cottagers, he begins to feel emotions such as suffering and agony. After realizing that he is an outsider he says to Victor, “Accursed creator! Why did you form a monster so hideous that even you turned from me in disgust? God, in pity, made man beautiful and alluring, after his own image; but my form is a filthy type of yours, more horrid even from the very resemblance” (93). After discovering that he is an outsider, he begins to feel lonely. Ultimately, without exploring the different interactions between the cottagers and learning about the fundamental senses, the monster would not have gained the proper knowledge needed to learn about the

Victor’s curiosity for science causes him to disregard other aspects of his life in order to focus on his personal motives and desires. Not only is Victor fascinated with science, but he is also interested in working with the dead. Without even realizing the effects of his actions, Victor’s interest in science and his longing to create the monster ultimately ruins his life. Next, after observing the interactions between the cottagers, the monster began to develop his own feelings, especially towards Victor. Mary Shelley uses the themes of discovery and exploration throughout the novel to allow both Victor Frankenstein and the monster to fulfill their individual