Knowledge can be a good thing if we use it wisely and properly, but if you don’t use it wisely it may bring a harmless rumor or cause an awful consequence. In Frankenstein’s case knowledge was not a good thing. The novel, Frankenstein, by Mary Shelley, was an intriguing story with many comparisons of the great powers in life. It contains many themes of our society today. It contrasts science and literary, technology and human, life and death, but mainly it consisted of knowledge and ignorance. In Frankenstein, Mary Shelley makes the theme evident with knowledge in the characters development. Reading the novel Frankenstein makes the word knowledge pop into your head throughout the text. The Webster’s dictionary defines the word knowledge as, …show more content…
In the letter he described his quest for knowledge to discover the native territory. “One man’s life or death was but a small price to pay for the acquirement of the knowledge which I sought for the dominion I should acquire and transmit over the elemental foes of our race.” (Shelly 16) This showed that this was his main priority to achieve knowledge above life or death. Walton was willing to risk it all in the name of discovery just be recognized with the others who have done so. As the captain of the group, he was responsible for the lives of other men, he made a ruthless decision in his pursuit of knowledge and he endangered those men. He was blind to see this and he was obsessed at the thought of knowledge he failed to realize this or disregard the sacrifice. When Victor Frankenstein heard his goal of knowledge he was scared that Walton could get killed if he continued. Victor Frankenstein told Walton that, “You seek for knowledge and wisdom, as I once did; and I ardently hope that the gratification of your wishes may not be a serpent to sting you, as mine has been." (Shelly 17) Frankenstein gave him this message because he did not want him to end up like he did with his thirst for knowledge. Especially when Walton was going on a mission that could end his life and his crew. Frankenstein was thinking of his past mistake and how things would have …show more content…
The monster was made by an experiment by a smart scientist who immediately got scared and abandoned him. He was never properly taught how to survive or even interact with humans or was he taught right from wrong. He was created a man but had the mind of a child. He wanted to know all about the human life such as communication, feelings, behavior, and respect for one another. The only way he could learn this was to teach himself because everyone was scared of him. At first, he taught himself how to survive by collecting food and keeping himself warm with fires. He wanted more, he wanted to learn how to speak, read, and show feelings like the family he watched in the cottages. He wanted to communicate with humans but he needed to learn the basic knowledge of language. He said, “I ought not to make the attempt until I had first become master of their language, which knowledge might enable me to make them overlook the deformity of my figure, for with this also the contrast perpetually presented to my eyes had made me acquainted.” (Shelly Chp 12) eventually the monster did however accomplish the knowledge of language, but wishing to be more like humans costs the monster his happiness. The monster admired the humans beautiful physical features and their beautiful minds but was hurt by the sight of his ugliness when he saw his reflection in the water. Once he realized he was much different from humans the
In the world today there is a drive to evolve and improve life through science and its findings. When looking at the good of a society, the people have to decide when the line between right and wrong is drawn. In the novel Frankenstein by Mary Shelley, she proves that the possession of knowledge can lead to destructive forces through Victor Frankenstein’s monster’s journey. The events that lead to Victor’s monster’s destructive path is when he comes into contact with the cottagers, he murders Victor’s brother, and runs away after destroying Victor’s life.
In "Frankenstein" by Mary Shelley, Victor Frankenstein creates a monster that brings chaos and deaths to Victor Frankenstein's family and friends for revenge. This is one example of how too much knowledge can be dangerous. In addition to Frankenstein, the classical novel, "The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Hyde." exemplifies why too much knowledge can cause chaos. In the novel, Dr. Jekyll creates salt in his laboratory that changes his physical appearance. Thus makes an alter ego named Hyde who murders citizens of England for pleasure. This changes Dr. Jekyll since he keeps switching appearances until one day, he changes to Hyde permanently. These examples show that the misuse of knowledge is dangerous. From bringing misery to Frankenstein to changing into a murderous alter ego, humans cannot handle too much
Investigating The Ways in Which Mary Shelley Explores the Theme of Knowledge In Frankenstein Mary Shelley explores the theme of knowledge in Frankenstein in many ways; firstly, she uses a frame narrative to show different peoples views of, and reactions to, the same information and to combine lots of different writing styles into one piece, this technique also allows the story to move along fluidly as it can come from many places and people. She uses lots of imagery, personification and metaphors to describe the scenes, which adds a sense of realism to it and allows the reader to picture the scene instead of just being told about it. Shelley portrays that knowledge can empower, but also that it has the power to destroy if not used carefully. In order to fully understand what Mary Shelley has done, we need to firstly study; the portrayal of Captain Walton, Frankenstein’s ambition and how this creates suspense.
In Shelly’s ‘Frankenstein’, the theme of Knowledge is cultivated for multiple purposes. These include the effects of scientific advances, the de-mystification of nature, nature’s revenge and social relations in the romantic era. By examining knowledge in relation to the characters of Victor, Walton and the Creature it can be seen that the theme of knowledge is used a warning against the Enlightenment and a personification of the social injustices of the time.
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.
It is good to be determined and passionate about the things that you are learning and doing, but it is not good to become obsessive about anything. In most cases obsession tends to lead people down the wrong path or cause them to make the wrong decisions in their life. One of the things that people used to be obsessed with was knowledge. This is because people knew so little about the world and about themselves. People were very curious about certain things and some decided to accidentally try things out which led to discoveries. But others decided to become obsessed about the subject that they were studying and destroy their lives in the process. One example is Frankenstein. He was a giant dumb smart person that was also obsessive about science
Albert Einstein once said “A little knowledge is a dangerous thing. So is a lot.” Knowledge can be good because it makes one successful. Then, it can also be very bad such as a criminal being too smart for the police, he or she can keep committing crime. Too much knowledge is dangerous because it may harm many, which means that many die or get scarred for life because of one simple guy with an excess of knowledge.
In Frankenstein, by Mary Shelley, Victor Frankenstein seeks knowledge. He thirsts for glory and pursues knowledge for this selfish pursuit. Throughout this, Frankenstein weakens his relationships, such as his relationship with Elizabeth and Henry. In his pursuit, he brings an intellectual being to life making the quest all the more selfish. Motivated by this selfish desire for glory, Frankenstein embarks on a pursuit of knowledge for the “secrets” of life that ultimately weakens his relationships and sanity. Frankenstein’s experience with the monster, his weakening relationships, and his personal philosophy illuminate the consequence of pursuing knowledge for the wrong purpose.
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?
In the gothic novel Frankenstein, humans have a bottomless, motivating, but often dangerous thirst for knowledge. This idea was clearly illustrated throughout the novel by Mary Shelley. The three main characters in the novel shared the thirst for knowledge that later lead to their downfall. In the novel knowledge is a huge theme that led to atrocious life to anyone that tried to gain it. Knowledge is hazardous; therefore, I support Dr. Frankenstein’s warning about knowledge being dangerous and that knowledge shouldn’t be gained.
In the novel Frankenstein written by Mary Wollstonecraft Shelly, Knowledge is power for Victor Frankenstein. Mary Shelly explains that Dr. Frankenstein’s hunger for the knowledge to create life out of death only leads to Victor’s unfortunate monster. The consequences that Victor Frankenstein experiences from creating a creature from his own madness leads to his death as well as the creature. Mary Shelly explains in her novel Frankenstein that Victor’s need to study life and how it is created is dangerous; furthermore, the abomination that the doctor creates should have never been created; however, the monster that Victor creates is his own monstrosity.
The theme pursuit of knowledge is consistent throughout the text, shown by three of the main characters in Frankenstein. The theme is shown in many different aspects by all three characters. The pursuit of knowledge lead to Victor’s destruction. The pursuit of knowledge lead Victor’s Creature to becoming aware of himself and point of view society has on him. The pursuit of knowledge helped Robert Walton realize his strive for success has lead him to discovering the consequences of his pursuit of knowledge can effect other people. Through the book Frankenstein the reader can infer that the pursuit of knowledge can lead to a destructive future.
Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein was written with the theme of the desire for knowledge at the heart of the book. Many of the character in the book are searching for knowledge, whether it is the knowledge of how to break the cycle of life, or the ability to read and understand, or even knowing what is at the North Pole. Robert Walton is one of the characters that falls victim to this thirst for knowledge. Robert Walton’s search for knowledge in Frankenstein leads him to not only discover the perils that come from his hunt for knowledge, but also learns a lesson about his own limits.
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.
Victor Frankenstein’s scientific endeavor, Robert Walton’s search for the North Pole, and the creature’s kind heart but scary features creates this whole theme of dangerous knowledge. The search for knowledge is encouraged and at times pushed by others. In Frankenstein is shows quest can lead to too much knowledge and drive him or her to his fate.