Science and Scientists in Harold Frederic's Damnation of Theron Ware
In The Damnation of Theron Ware, Harold Frederic uses the character of Dr. Ledsmar to represent science and the modern, scientific world-view, as a counter to the other archetypal world-views in the story: that of the Church in the priest Father Forbes, a quasi-pagan Hellenistic attitude of Celia, and the unstable Protestantism of Theron Ware. Like the very unique Father Forbes, an unusual priest indeed, Dr. Ledsmar is characteristic of a certain popular image of science that is frequently found in fiction, the isolated and eccentric crank, an unfeeling and driven by a need to take some kind of truth from Nature by force, with no consideration for the ordinary human wants in life. This poor form of science was unfortunately a part of the establishment during Frederic's time, and no doubt much later as well. But it was not the only kind of science that was practiced, and many at the time understood the difference, though in this novel we only get an image of the most negative kind, in service to Frederic's dramatic and rhetorical purposes.
We first meet Dr. Ledsmar sitting down to a cordial dinner with Father Forbes, introduced by him as his "very particular friend" (Frederick, 65). They then proceed to enjoy a rich and civilized meal, far better than what Theron is used to. He wonders if he can learn how it is made, that Alice might do as well at home. Theron is realizing that there exists a world with delights greater than what he is accustomed to, and it is inhabited by an educated elite, sophisticated in traditional wisdom and modern science. This is his first taste.
But there is something funny here, in that "the conversation at th...
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...It is for similar reasons that after Theron has been driven from the house, Dr. Ledsmar performs his icky lizard act, pulling a "long, slim, yellowish-green lizard, with a coiling, sinuous tail and a pointed, evil head'' from a tank of opaque fluid, in order to name it after Theron Ware.
Frederic is very much alienated from the science of his day. He finds it obscure and frightening, involved in inhuman and ritualistic experiments, and motivated by goals that are fully detached from the needs of ordinary people. His dread and loathing of the coldness and ruthlessness of the aloof scientist come from the Gothic horror of writers like Edgar Allen Poe and Mary Shelley.
Works Cited
Frederic, Harold. The Damnation of Theron Ware. Penguin Books USA. 1986 (1896).
Gould, Stephen Jay. The Mismeasure of Man. W.W. Norton & Company. New York, London. 1981.
Meyer, Michael. The Bedford Introduction to Literature. Ed. 8th ed. Boston: Bedford/St. Martin's, 2008. 2189.
Shenon, Philip. “A Cruel And Shocking Act”. Henry & Holt Co. 28 Oct. 2013. Print
Therefore, treatment for sickle cell disease aims to relieve symptoms and prevention of complications (Mayo Clinic Staff, 2014). Management of the disease begins with informing parents that have a high risk of conceiving children with the disease about prenatal screening (Schnog et. al., 2004). This allows for comprehensive care of the newborn and preparation (Schnog et. al., 2004). One of the preventative measures include antibiotics such as penicillin before the age of 5 to reduce the risk of infections. Others include getting all the required vaccinations as well as additional ones, regular influenza vaccinations and meningococus vaccination (“How Is Sickle Cell Disease Treated?”, n.d.). Additional measures include screening tests and evaluations such as blood and urine testing, eye examinations, pulmonary hypertension, cognitive screening and Transcranial Doppler (TCD) Ultrasound Screening (which tests whether a child is at risk for stroke) (“How Is Sickle Cell Disease Treated?”, n.d.). As the disease is associated with painful crisis, medication to manage pain is also prescribed to those presenting with the symptoms (“How Is Sickle Cell Disease Treated?”,
Lyons, Oliver, and Bill Bonnie. "An Interview with Tobias Wolff." Contemporary Literature. 31.1 (1990): 1-16. Web. 12 Feb. 2012.
SCD has major social and economic implications for the affected child and the families. Recurrent sickle-cell crises interfere with the patient’s life, especially with regard to education, work and psychosocial development (WHO). Sickle cell anemia, specifically, is a serious disease that can require frequent hospital stays. Repeated hospitalization for intravenous pain medication, antibiotic therapy and blood transfusions is undertaken to treat medical problems as about 1 in every 10 children with sickle cell disease. People with SCD may suffer abdominal pain, breathlessness, delayed growth and puberty, fatigue, fever, ulcers, among others. These patients often die early of overwhelming infection or as a consequence of acute or chronic damage to the body organs. Those with sickle cell disorder often suffer neglect and
The lives of the young and wild women of the twenties began with a new attitude and a completely different look. The Flapper is “an emancipated young woman who embraced the new fashions and urban attitudes of the day”. Generally, one would cut their long hair down to a short, boy like bob and dye it jet black. Many wore dress that were very bright, flashy, loose fitting, and would not hang past the knee. Close fitting felt hats, many strings of beads, pumps, and skin toned stockings typically completed the look of a flapper. So many young women completely changed their lifestyles in their fight for equality. Smoking cigarettes and drinking immense amounts of alcohol in public became a normal attraction. Too many young girls were speaking openly about sexual activity, as well as other numerous activities that would have ruined their reputations, and lives not too long before. The discussion, of courtship and relationships completely and utterly offended...
The story’s tone is one of romantic controversy, a dilemma at a high level of existence. The scientist’s love for his craft competes very intensively with his newfound love for his wife. It is also very psychological, strictly dealing with the raw mind of its subjects as if the ominous narrator told the story from inside their mind, rather than observe it from the outside. He describes the processes that one may take to reach a certain degree of knowledge and to find the elixir of life, which is described in this story as the ultimate goal of the scientific community. Also, the narrator is very opinionated about events in the story.
“In the United States, it's estimated that sickle cell anemia affects 70,000–100,000 people, mainly African Americans” (NHLBI, NIH, Who is at risk for sickle cell anemia). SCD is a disease that is a serious disorder in which the body can make normal blood cells and sickle shape cells. Sickle shape cells can block the blood flow in your vessels and cause pain or organ damage also put you in risk for infections. SCD has no cure available but there are many treatments out there to deal with the complications of it. From over years treatments did get better from way back in the day doctors have learned. Sickle cell disease has lack of attention and funding because it’s only affecting African American the most.
The 1920’s was the decade that introduce the wild side of the women youth. These young women were often middle-class and held steady jobs, but once the sun went down, their wild side emerged. They were labeled as flappers. These women were trying to break out of the habit of being entrapped in the austere standards given by society. They were young and rebellious, and wished to stray from the fundamental beliefs of how women should act and look like. Their goal was to escape the fate of the “socially silenced women in the Victorian age” (Flappers). F...
Simmon, Harvey. "Sickle Cell Disease." University of Maryland Medical Center. N.p., 14 Mar. 2013. Web. 06 Feb. 2014.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), sickle cell disease (SCD) affects millions of people worldwide and predominantly affects descendants from sub-Saharan Africa, South and Central America, the Caribbean, Saudi Arabia, India; and the Mediterranean. Sickle cell disease is a genetic disorder of the red blood cells where the red blood cells comprises of predominantly hemoglobin S, an abnormal type of hemoglobin (2011). Two most common types of sickle cell disease seen in the clinical setting are Sickle Cell Anemia (SS) and Sickle-Hemoglobin C Disease (SC) (Sickle Cell Disease Association of America, 2014, para.1).
Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein is a nineteenth century literary work that delves into the world of science and the plausible outcomes of morally insensitive technological research. Although the novel brings to the forefront several issues about knowledge and sublime nature, the novel mostly explores the psychological and physical journey of two complex characters. While each character exhibits several interesting traits that range from passive and contemplative to rash and impulsive, their most attractive quality is their monstrosity. Their monstrosities, however, differ in the way each of the character’s act and respond to their environment. Throughout Frankenstein, one assumes that Frankenstein’s creation is the true monster. While the creation’s actions are indeed monstrous, one must also realize that his creator, Victor Frankenstein is also a villain. His inconsiderate and selfish acts as well as his passion for science result in the death of his friend and family members and ultimately in his own demise.
Time flew by and as the war ended in 1918, the 1920’s decade of change soon approached. The year was famously known as “The Jazz Age” and “The Roaring 20’s” because of the newly found freedom, social and political changes, and the time of prohibition. Among these powerful new changes was the freedom that women were finally able to vote and enjoy what was about to come. Instead of being confined at home, the women joined labor forces, worked with wages, and experimented with different types of behavior that would have been unreasonable a few years back. Along with these dramatic changes were their fashion styles. This style changed their rights and relationships with others completely. With that change, a new woman was born. There were not many ways for women to stand up for themselves and what they believed in. They had no voice but in the 1920’s, women found a way of freely expressing themselves and changing their relationships with others all with the start of fashion.
Harmon, William, and C. Hugh Holman. A Handbook to Literature. New Jersey: Prentice Hall, 1996.
...ankenstein is horrified of what he is done, whereas Jekyll seems to be virtually proud of his scientific accomplishment and murderous ruse. Both scientists discover that all of their pride and knowledge cannot conquer the unknown and unimaginable. For this and other reasons, despite their differences, Dr. Frankenstein and Dr. Jekyll are both captivating literary characters that attempt to create and conquer the human mind. By investigating their similarities, we, as readers, critics, and scholars, can more fully understand the mode of scientific thinking and rationale in the nineteenth century. We also observe the consequences of two characters that overstep the bounds of reality and human conscience.