Frankenstein
An Analysis of the use of knowledge
In the novel Frankenstein by Marry Shelley, it is apparent that a lack of knowledge along with an abundance of knowledge can lead to the destruction of relationships that are ideal for a happy life. The theme of corruption through knowledge is a recurring literary device throughout the novel. This corruption compels the reader to question whether or not it is beneficial to have the vast amount of knowledge that Victor has.
Knowledge is a powerful tool when used for a positive purpose; however, that same knowledge has the potential to cause immense harm and inundate the world with devastating events. The novel Frankenstein by Mary Shelley did an excellent job at expressing both the positive and negative effects that the use of knowledge has while comparing it to today’s society. The malicious use of knowledge can lead to broken relationships, which inevitably harms the people associated with us.
Marry Shelley used three settings and characters to express the use of knowledge. Each of the settings had a desired goal in mind, but the final results were far from that.
Walton became famous when he traveled on a voyage to find a route to the North Pole, which was also the first setting depicted in the book. Walton was so driven by the idea of being famous that he was not taking into consideration the danger his life was in, as well as the crew he had on board. Walton made his passions clear after saying, “One man 's life or
Based on Mary Shelley’s, the author of Frankenstein, use of knowledge throughout her writing, the reader can come to a conclusion that she is pointing out knowledge and the idea of learning as a motif. The reader can also assume that Shelley is showing us that knowledge is everywhere and is very important; not only throughout this book but throughout life as well.
From the beginning of time until now the limitless pursuit of knowledge reveals man’s weakness. Modern society provides humans with a wide variety of sources on how to gain knowledge, both good and evil. The thirst for forbidden knowledge beyond what man can essentially handle, causes a tragic life. The protagonist in the novel Frankenstein by Mary Shelley exemplifies the behavior of the ideal man grasping for more knowledge than he can truly bare; in turn this knowledge becomes tarnished. Shelley eludes to the Greek myth of Prometheus allowing the reader to delve deeper into the general theme that those who pursue an insatiable desire for knowledge, if not tamed,
Knowledge can be the key to freedom or to one’s demise, depending on how one choses to act, but no matter what, gaining knowledge is rarely an easy task. Even for students who have information readily available to them, like Victor Frankenstein at the University of Ingolstadt, are constantly under the arduous task of learning. When learning has to be done by any means necessary or in secret, like Frankenstein’s monster or Fredrick Douglass, the acquisition of knowledge becomes even more daunting and makes the learner even more ardent in their pursuit. Once a person obtains knowledge, they see their surroundings for what they are and become discontent; they realize their potential and take action to change their life, which can be seen through the eyes of Victor Frankenstein, his monster, and Fredrick Douglass.
Regarding the book, Frankenstein by Mary Shelley, it shows many ways of how knowledge can be both a blessing and also a curse.
Temptation is a desired action that attracts a person and can often result in a negative effect due to the ignorance of lasting consequences. In Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein, we watch as temptation works its evil on a inspired scientist Victor Frankenstein, who seeks to create a life form using dead body parts from a graveyard. Remarkably his knowledge leads him to success, yet Victor was too focused on whether he could instead of worrying about whether he should. In Frankenstein, Shelley shows throughout the book the temptation and power in knowledge can lead to danger when boundaries are overstepped or knowledge is misused.
The Captivity of Knowledge In the novel Frankenstein by Mary Shelley, being trapped in his own desire for knowledge breeds Victor’s unhappiness. Contrary that knowledge breeds happiness and understanding of everything, the acquisition of knowledge “poisons the cup of life” for Victor, isolating himself from all other aspects of his life and the world revolving around him. As a man who desires the acquisition of knowledge, Victor motivates himself to understand his current experiment or creation, and create a cause in which he has developed extensively. Victor’s constant recurring characteristic is his persistent drive which is ultimately the main factor of any cause Victor creates. Through determination, Victor pursues his goals not
As Victor Frankenstein is telling his story to Walton, he is reflecting on everything he did in the process of making the creature, and asks his companion, right before this extract to “learn from me […] how dangerous is the acquirement of knowledge” showing immediately how certain types of understanding can be fatal. In the first place, Frankenstein knew that what he was doing was wrong. “When I found so astonishing a power placed within my hands, I hesitated a long time concerning the manner in which I should employ it.” This uncertainty hints not only at the way in which he wants to use this power but also at a possible moral fight with himself, taking into account that
Having shown that exploratory disclosure and learning is intrinsically nonpartisan yet defiled by human culture, Shelley has created another message about information and science; it is the obligation of the researcher and society to keep the abuse and mishandle of that learning. The peruser can watch this to be the situation in "Frankenstein"; Shelley does not display the science and creation itself as underhanded, yet demonstrates that it turns out to be so through the flighty activities of its inventor. In this manner, her notice and judgment of learning is not one against the information itself, but rather against the researchers who are flippant with their revelations. The animal's dangerous frenzy is malevolent, regardless of the fact
The death of her daughter devastated Shelley; therefore, she used her personal experience to strengthen the plot and story of the novel through William’s death. Furthermore, the fundamental idea of the creation and resurrection of a human being in the novel is clearly rooted in her grief over the loss of her first-born and yearning for her baby to live again. Along with connections to Shelley’s life, the book also portrays a couple of attitudes of the society in which Mary Shelley lived. This includes the fears people had at the time concerning innovation.
The world depicts knowledge as this key to success which when possessed, could lead to everlasting probabilities. But what is often hidden is the fact that immense knowledge in the wrong hands could be handled in numerous horrendous ways which can lead forth negative impacts. As demonstrated in the classic novel, Frankenstein by Mary Shelley, The monster is created as this highly inteligent yet hideous monster. Due to this, his creator, Victor Frankenstein, degradingly mistreats the momster with cruel remarks and hate on behalf of Victor Frankenstein. The Monster in response revolts and in the end uses his powerful use of knowledge to torment and ruin Victor Frankenstein's life forever.
Society places a lot of importance on knowledge and education and for the most part the attainment of knowledge is a wonderful and empowering thing. However, Mary Shelley, in the novel Frankenstein, argues that the pursuit of knowledge can be dangerous, and if pursued relentlessly can cause the pursuers isolation from society. This lack of societal influence and morals causes the pursuer’s own morals and ethics to become diminished, which eventually leads to the destruction of oneself and possibly one’s loved ones. This is especially exemplary in Victor’s ruin due to his pursuit of knowledge and discovery, and the Monster’s corruption because of his hunt for the knowledge of his identity. Education can be salvation for some, but for others
In the novel, “Frankenstein” by Mary Shelley, the search for knowledge is a major theme in the story, being the tragic flaw in Victor, and a few other key characters. Majority of the conflicts that arise in Victor’s life are caused from his curiosity with the dead and science. Victor’s tragic fate was sealed when he pursued knowledge over his personal life and those closest to him Not only was the search for knowledge a crux for Victor, but a few other characters in the book as well.
Knowledge is not an asset without careful responsibility. Knowledge is a very powerful force in our world and with great power comes great responsibility. The novel, Frankenstein, by Mary Shelley is a symbolic story with many comparisons of higher power throughout Life. It contrasts good and evil, victim and perpetrator,and most important knowledge and ignorance. The characters of Victor Frankenstein and his created monster ensure and embody these comparisons, and unwillingly suffer these acts of disturbances with one another throughout the duration of the novel. Each with reasoning behind their hate of each other, the creature and his creator, mimic each other proving to have the same objective and same eventual outcomes and are more similar
There is a common saying, ‘knowledge is power,’ although it is not always true it is more fitting than the saying ‘ignorance is bliss,’ both can lead to two extreme ideals, too much knowledge it is on the verge of Godly, or not enough to function in society. In Mary Shelley’s novel, Frankenstein, someone is always attempting to fill an emptiness they have with too much knowledge. Weather it be an absence of a caregiver, or a loved one, Walton, the creature, and Victor Frankenstein all seek knowledge to fill a void in their life. Robert Walton is in search of knowledge through a voyage to the north pole where he hopes to find a faster route across the globe, or even uncover the secret to the magnetic poles. Robert writes to his dear sister, Margarette, “you cannot contest the inestimable benefit which I shall confer on all mankind” (Shelley 11).
"How dangerous is the acquirement of knowledge." Victor Frankenstein, an ambitious man, is determined to gain knowledge which leads to an obsession that consequently ends in pure chaos and madness. Ignorance is bliss but knowledge is pain. Throughout the novel Mary Shelley presents how the psychology of knowledge leads to unconscious revenge. Having an obsession with something is unhealthy.