Frankenstein The Danger in Knowledge, Science and Playing...

What is Frankenstein’s monster? Is the Monster a man? Is he a living, breathing demon? What does he represent? Is the Monster a representation of the dangers of playing with science? Is he representative of the dangers of pursuing knowledge? Alternatively, does he reveal to us the dangers of playing God? Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein uses Victor Frankenstein’s creation to expose the dangers of knowledge and playing God. Shelley exposes the readers to how in the pursuit of knowledge, man too often opens Pandora’s Box and unleashes unforeseen dangers unto the world. Shelley uses Victor Frankenstein and his creation to expose how knowledge and the pursuit of knowledge are explosive. Frankenstein is set during the Enlightenment Era. During the Age of Enlightenment, the best minds of Europe and North America began to turn towards science and reason to advance knowledge. Ironically, Mary Shelley wrote Frankenstein during the Romantic Era, when many writers, poets, artists, and philosophers rejected the ideas of Enlightenment because they believed in provided a narrow view of the world. In her novel, Shelley writes of the consequences of viewing the world the narrow window of knowledge. The consequences of Victor Frankenstein had far-reaching consequences beyond his control. In his actions, Victor Frankenstein is a victim of the Enlightenment Era. He, from his earliest moments, was obsessed with the science of creation and death, â€Å"†¦but by some law in my temperature they were turned,Show MoreRelatedFrankenstein1237 Words   |  5 Pagesï » ¿Literature: Frankenstein Essay Frankenstein is a gothic horror novel that was written by Mary Shelly and was published in 1818, when gothic aesthetic, romanticism and science were beginning to spike in western culture. The novel follows the story of Victor Frankenstein in creating a monster which causes destruction around him, as Victor had ambition and thirst to reveal the secrets of nature. The novel could be viewed as a warning to the readers and audience about having a greed for knowledge and powerRead MoreFrankenstein, By Mary Shelley1580 Words   |  7 PagesFrankenstein by Mary Shelley is a sci-fi novel written during the Romantic Movement in Britain’s early nineteenth century. The movement was stimulated by the French Revolution, Industrial Revolution and in reaction against the emphasis on reason in eighteenth-century Enlightenment philosophy (The Romantic Movement, 2014). Mary Shelley’s husband, Percy Shelley was also a romantic poet during the movement. Shelley’s novel is evidently influenced by her relationship with her husband, which is illustratedRead MoreThe Consequences Of Cloning In Frankenstein By Mary Shelley1470 Words   |  6 Pagescreation of a device developed after a study or an experiment, in the hopes of benefiting society. The novel Frankenstein by Mary Shelley is about an inventor, Victor Frankenstein, who creates life that he later rejects. His invention results in consequences for both himself and his creation. Both cloning and the creation of the monster was made to benefit and advance society’s knowledge. Cloning is the process of producing genetically similar organisms, such as animals, plants, and bacteria, throughRead MoreFrankenstein by Mary Shelley1093 Words   |  4 Pagesargue that these advancements can be harmful, and that technology is moving faster than man can contend with. That argument is the premises, moral, and plot base for Mary Shelleys tale Frankenstein. On the other hand, J. Michael Bishops, essay Enemies of P romise   on the other hand promotes and boast sciences achievements. However, Mary Shelley presents her point of view subtly yet very dramatically, which is much more effective than that of J. Michael Bishop. The dramatic story Shelley createsRead MoreScience May Be Interesting To Most, But Its Development1781 Words   |  8 PagesScience may be interesting to most, but its development has the potential to be absolutely terrifying. We are warned of this in Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein. This extremely famous novel is about a scientist named Victor Frankenstein who creates a grotesque creature, using electricity. Many assume the creature’s name to be Frankenstein as it may be depicted in movies but this is false, as the scientist’s name is Frankenstein and the monster does not have a name. New developing science allows VictorRead MoreThe God Facade : A Look Into Mary Shelley s Frankenstein And The Dangers Of Playing God1209 Words   |  5 PagesThe God Faà §a de: A Look into Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein and The Dangers of Playing God. Frankenstein by author Mary Shelley is a Gothic science fiction novel written in Switzerland between 1816–1817, and published January 1, 1818. Set in eighteenth century Geneva, Frankenstein tells the story of a young man named Victor who goes away to college to study natural philosophy, chemistry, and alchemy. When armed with the knowledge he has long been seeking, Victor spends months constructing a creatureRead MoreMary B. Shelleys Frankenstein Essay1347 Words   |  6 Pagesas an author, Mary Shelley’s book Frankenstein brings to society a question that many scientist even now continue to withhold from answering: the endless possibilities and imposing dangers in the creation of artificial life. As a one of the most impactful writer of the early 19th century , Mary Shelley has forever influenced modern days ideas of artificial creation with her book Frankenstein as she has made many of todays scientist rethink the gains and dangers of artificial life. The BeginningRead MoreFrankenstein : A Whole Mess Of Things1097 Words   |  5 Pages Arguably one of the most complex characters in Frankenstein, Victor Frankenstein is a whole mess of things. Victor’s true reason for his downfall is his thirst for knowledge, simple. He was obsessed with reading the works of ancient and outdated alchemists. Specifically, the works of Agrippa, Magnus, and Paracelsus. This, coupled with Victor experiencing a thunderstorm at 15, sparks an interest in Natural Sciences. Even though he was told that alchemy was rubbish, he still continues to studyRead MoreHuman and Important Cautionary Guide Essay1078 Words   |  5 PagesIntroduction to Frankenstein Mary Shelley The ethical debate concerning biotechnological exploration into genetic cloning has created a monster in itself. A multitude of ethical questions arises when considering the effect of creating a genetically engineered human being. Does man or science have the right to create life through unnatural means? Should morality dictate these technological advancements and their effects on society? The questions and concerns are infinite, but so to are the curiositiesRead MoreFrankenstein, By Mary Shelley1040 Words   |  5 Pages In 1818, a book titled Frankenstein was published anonymously, mysteriously dedicated to William Godwin, a prominent journalist and political philosopher of his time. The immediate reviews of the novel were mixed, most edging towards critical, although no one knew who the book was written by. However, while Frankenstein failed to gain popularity immediately, no one had any idea the lasting impact this novel would have on the world. Despite the lukewarm reception at its debut, it soon proved to be