Most affiliate knowledge with freedom and empowerment, the more knowledge you have the more empowered you are. However, according to Mary Shelly, knowledge does not empower one but enslaves them. Some might then go on to inquire how one, if they become enslaved by knowledge can one escape its rule. The answer to this question according to Mary Shelley is death. Death is where knowledge is no longer present. When one inquires about knowledge it usually revolves around the world in which they live or those that inhabit the world in which they live. When questions are asked about the world in which they do not live, the after life, there are no answers to be found or proofs to be shown, nor will there ever be since knowledge does not extend past …show more content…
At the beginning of the book Mary stresses how important learning is to not only the Frankenstein family, but to Victor Frankenstein himself. Mary says that Frankenstein passed two years “in this manner, during which” he “paid no visit to Geneva, but was engaged, heart and soul, in the pursuit of some discoveries, which” he “hoped to make…there is a continual good for discovery and wonder.”(Pg. 30) Thus showing that Frankenstein put away two years of his life and just specifically focused on attaining one type of knowledge, specifically the knowledge of “infusing life into an inanimate body.”(Pg. 35) Victor thought that with this knowledge he would become invincible and free. “Life and death appeared to me ideal bounds, which I should first break through and pour torrent of light into our dark world.” (Pg. 33) However, after Frankenstein attains this knowledge, and creates the monster, he realizes that he had a false idea of knowledge. Knowledge did not set him free but instead, ended up by deceiving him and enslaving him. “Oh no mortal could support the horror of that countenance…I felt bitterness of disappointment: dreams that had been my food and pleasant rest for so long a space, were now become a hell to me; and the change was so rapid, the overthrow so complete!”(Pg.37) When Frankenstein went about creating the …show more content…
Why would we want to obtain knowledge when, as shown above, it corruptly enslaves us? Mary Shelley seems to make the claim that we try to gain knowledge in order to try and use the knowledge we gain to escape the grips of knowledge itself, breaking the hold it has on us. Mary shows this in her book when the monster, resembling man, uses knowledge to switch the role of master and slave on Frankenstein, resembling knowledge (Pg. 110). This might lead some to wonder if then there is another way besides death to escape the grips of knowledge? However, Mary makes the point that there is not. After the monster tries to switch the role of master and slave Frankenstein will not let him, thus showing that we cannot escape knowledge and the only way we can is through death. This is shown after Frankenstein dies running from the monster, who at the time is representing knowledge showing that the only way one can escape knowledge is through death. This is also seen in today’s society with suicides. There are never suicides due to the fact that someone does not know enough knowledge but because someone knows too much. When one finds out the knowledge that they are for example, alone in life and are, as Mary and the monster discover themselves to be “inferior” and thus seem
Knowledge can be the key to success and can lead people to happier life. However, there are some instances that you can not gain any more knowledge because of how it would change your whole life. The drive of wanting more and more knowledge is best portrayed through two well -known books. In Mary Shelley’s, Frankenstein, and in Daniel Keyes, Flowers for Algernon, both the creature and Charlie are ostracized by society because they are different from everyone else but this distinction gave way for distinct fallouts because of their quest for knowledge beyond their reach to achieve happiness.
Mary Shelley brings about both the positive and negative aspects of knowledge through her characters in Frankenstein. The use of knowledge usually has many benefits, but here Shelley illustrates how seeking knowledge beyond its limits takes away from the natural pleasures of known knowledge. She suggests that knowledge without mortality and uncontrolled passions will lead to destruction. Victor and his monster experience this destruction following their desires and losing self control. Walton, on the other hand, becomes of aware of the consequences and is able to turn back before it’s too late. Shelley also suggests that without enjoying the natural pleasures of life, pursuing knowledge is limited, but how can knowledge be limited if it is infinite?
Throughout Frankenstein by Mary Shelley, knowledge of the existence of his human creator has a devastating effect on the creature as he struggles to define his own self perception as well as his desire to attain acceptance from this creator. This of course parallels man's relationship to a divine creator in christian mythology. Ironically, however the idea that knowledge must be taught or passed down by a divine creator is deconstructed. In the end, Shelley concludes that moral and spiritual development can be reached without dogmatic belief structures, resulting in the elimination of god as the only vehicle of self realization. Religious references and biblical parallels cannot be ignored throughout.
In conclusion, Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein shows readers how irresponsibility and the excessive need for knowledge can cause suffering among others as well as oneself. Victor never intends to cause such harm; however, he is not cautious and observant with his actions, which ultimately leads to his classification as a tragic hero. The desire to learn is most definitely a wonderful trait to have, as long as one’s knowledge doesn’t reach the extent that Victor Frankenstein’s unfortunately does.
Victor Frankenstein, blinded by pride, remained unaware of how his experiment would affect not only him, but the world around him as he formed his new discovery. His secret to creating life only caused more life to be lost. Because of Victor’s reckless behavior, he caused the depressed and lonely world around his own creation, one who, in the end, Victor did not want to take responsibility for making, no matter how remarkable. The Creation, a being of unfortunate circumstance, exemplifies how knowledge has dangerous and everlasting effects if not used safely or for good intentions. Unfortunately, The Creation leaves his own damage behind as well, again showing how knowledge is harmful, by killing Elizabeth, Victor’s wife, Henry Clerval, his dearest friend, and other members a part of Victor’s family and friends. This demonstrates how knowledge, if not used wisely, can lead to death and suffering. The power of knowledge, in Mary Shelley’s writing, is a gift bestowed on those who can handle the power responsibly, as opposed to using it for selfish boasting. In contrast, she uses these two characters to show the importance of being knowledgeable in both science and responsibility and the unforgivable mutilation that comes if you fail to overcome
We first view Frankenstein’s ignorance while he is busy in his work. He had not visited his family for two straight years. These are the people that love and care about him, yet he does not go home. Not even to visit his own father, the man who pays for his schooling and necessities.
Frankenstein cannot control his quest for knowledge, because knowledge silences his conscience and excites his imagination. When Frankenstein succeeds in "discovering the cause of generation and life" (52), he ponders whether he should create life or stop. "I doubted at first whether I should attempt the creation of a being like myself, or one of simpler organization; but my imagination was too much exalted at my first success to permit me to doubt my ability to give life to an animal as complex and wonderful as man," thinks Frankenstein (53). The pursuit of knowledge not only takes over Frankenstein's life, but it also inhibits his ability to see the dangers of his potential experiments. Frankenstein sees the horrors of his knowledge when "the dull eye of the creature" opens and "it breathed hard, and a convulsive motion agitated its limbs" (57).
When read, it is evident that Mary Shelley wrote her novel, Frankenstein, to influence the reader's opinion on certain themes. One of these topics is life, and one's right to live or create life. The book opens many doors for discussion on this difficult to swallow theme. In Mary Shelley's Frankenstein, many questions are raised regarding life and the connections from one life to another, similar to moral questions asked today regarding life.
The creator of the monster, Victor Frankenstein is a man full of knowledge and has a strong passion for science. He pushes the boundary of science and creates a monster. Knowledge can be a threat when used for evil purposes. Though Victor did not intend for the being to be evil, society’s judgement on the monster greatly affects him. As a result he develops hatred for his creator as well as all man-kind. Victor’s anguish for the loss of his family facilitates his plan for revenge to the monster whom is the murderer. While traveling on Robert Walton’s ship he and Victor continue their pursuit of the monster. As Victor’s death nears he says, “…or must I die, and he yet live? If I do, swear to me Walton, that he shall not escape, that you will seek him and satisfy my vengeance in his death…Yet, when I am dead if he should appear, if the ministers of vengeance should conduct him to you, swear that he shall not live-swear that he shall not triumph over my accumulated woes and survive to add to the list of his dark crimes” (pg.199). Victor grieves the death of William, Justine, Clerval, Elizabeth and his father. Throughout the novel he experiences the five stages of grief, denial/ isolation, anger, bargaining, depression and finally acceptance. Victor denies ...
Education is a tool to advance an individual and a society; however, education can become a means to gain power when knowledge is used to exercise control over another. In Frankenstein, knowledge becomes the downfall of both Victor Frankenstein and the Monster. The novel explores the consequent power struggle between Victor Frankenstein and his creation, the dichotomy of good and evil, and the contrast between intellectual and physical power. Finding themselves in mirroring journeys, Victor Frankenstein and the Monster are locked in a struggle for dominance. Through these two characters, Mary Shelley explores the consequences of an egotistical mindset and of using knowledge to exercise power over others.
After learning about the life of Mary Shelley, I have grown to appreciate the novel, Frankenstein, even more since the first time I read it. She led a life nearly, as tragic as the monster she created through her writing. Mary seems to pull some of her own life experiences in Victor’s background, as in both mothers died during or after childbirth. Learning about Mary’s personal losses, I have gained a better appreciation of her as an author and a woman of the 17th century. She had association with some the most influential minds of that
Knowledge comes from experience. Since birth, Mary Shelley’s Monster from her acclaimed epistolary novel, Frankenstein, has been assaulted by all of the difficulties of life, yet he has faced them completely alone. The Tabula Rasa concept is completely applicable to him. The Monster begins as a child, learning from mimicking and watching others. He then educates himself by reading a few books which help shape his personality and give him an identity. Following Maslow’s hierarchy of needs the Monster searches for and accomplishes the basic human necessities but feels alone, and needs human interaction and companionship. “My heart was fashioned to be susceptible of love and sympathy, and when wrenched by misery to vice and hatred, it did not endure the violence of the change without torture such as you cannot even imagine,” (Shelley 115). As the book progresses, the Monster ceases to be a one-dimensional and flat watcher of humanity. Through his numerous experiences and education, the monster instead morphs into a participator of humanity with the ability to achieve goals, broaden his personality and create himself an identity.
By definition, knowledge is the fact or condition of knowing something with familiarity gained through experience or association (Merriam-Webster.com). In the novel Frankenstein, Mary Shelley considers knowledge as a “dangerous” factor. The danger of it is proved throughout the actions of the characters Robert Walton, Victor Frankenstein, and the creature. The characters all embody the theme of knowledge in different ways. Shelley supports her opinion about knowledge by using references from the Bible and Paradise Lost. She uses these references to show the relationship between God’s Adam and Frankenstein’s creature, and how nothing turns out as great as God’s creation. Mary Shelley’s goal is to teach a lesson on how destructive the desire for knowledge really is.
knowledge is found at the heart of the novel, Frankenstein by Mary Shelley. Mary Shelley constructs her novel in a form of tripartite that consists of three speakers Victor, Victor’s Creature, and Robert Walton. The pursuit of knowledge is conveyed by the alluring antagonist Victor in his endeavor to go beyond human adeptness and discover the elixir of life. The pursuit of knowledge is shown through another character, Frankenstein’s Creature whose pursuit of knowledge prompts him to become aware of himself. Robert Walton through the pursuit of knowledge learns that his own strive for success leads him to learning that his selfish pursuits are effecting the people around him. The pursuit of knowledge is proved to be dangerous to all three speakers Victor, Victor’s Creature, and Robert Walton and all three prove to the reader how destructive knowledge can be.
Victor Frankenstein finds himself exploring the world of science against his fathers wishes but he has an impulse to go forward in his education through university. During this time any form of science was little in knowledge especially the chemistry which was Victors area if study. Victor pursues to go farther than the normal human limits of society. “Learn from me, if not by my precepts, at least by my example, how 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” (Chapter 4). He soon finds the answer he was looking for, the answer of life. He becomes obsessed with creating a human being. With his knowledge he believes it should be a perfe...