Logan Bender
Mrs. Joyner
Honors English IV
17 December 2015
Tampering With the Unknown The sizzling, yet controversial novel Frankenstein written by Mary Shelley invites the reader into a science lab to study the unknown, which goes against the norm of society. Studying the unknown has the opportunity to create unpredictable and irreversible outcomes, along with internal conflicts with morals and ethics. Based on evidence proven in the novel, scientists should not study the unknown due to foreseeable actions and results. Mary Shelley wrote the novel Frankenstein as a warning to human society, so we should not consider studying the unknown. Tampering with the unknown comes with great consequences and unpredictable outcomes.
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The study of life appeared as a mystery in Victor Frankenstein’s eyes and he saw this as an opportunity to turn his twisted and disturbing plan into a reality. Victor only thought about himself, he did not think of all the possible safety and health concerns that might happen with the creation of his monster. The monster exposes everyone to innumerable safety risks and potentially leads to the destruction of human society. With only one monster, three lives were taken; the amount of potential deaths appears limitless if Victor created multiple monsters. Health wise, the creature could bring back previous diseases that caused a huge threat to the world; after all, the creature’s body is made up of dead human parts. Throughout the novel, Victor Frankenstein goes through many health problems. He became so obsessed with his creation that he drove himself mentally and physically ill. As a consequence of this Victor had to be nursed back to good health by the family and friends that he pushed away. Creating a new form of life not only comes with unpredictable outcomes, but with irreversible outcomes as well. Science, like everything else, has limits and when these limits are pushed, it comes with potential irreversible consequences. Science dominated every aspect in Victor Frankenstein’s life; Victor sleeps, eats, and dreams about science.
Frankenstein, written by Mary Shelley, explores the theme of the pursuit of knowledge and scientific discovery through the main characters; Victor Frankenstein, the Creature and Robert Walton. This pursuit of knowledge drives the plot of the novel, leading Victor to create the Creature in his attempt to break down the mortal barriers that surround him and unlock the secret of life. Robert Walton’s quest for discovery leads him to the North Pole, far beyond the reach of Humans at that time. Ultimately Victor’s thirst for knowledge and scientific discovery did him more harm than good with Victor’s hatred of his creation driving him to death. Frankenstein’s message to the modern is age is simply put as “humans should not meddle in the business of the gods”. Mary Shelley’s is using Frankenstein and the actions of the characters in the novel to warn us that although we have the technology to for example, create a human being, some things are better left to nature. In our quest for knowledge we can do ourselves more harm than good. Through her novel Shelley tells us that on our path of scientific discovery there are some trails better left unexplored.
Knowledge of the formerly unknown can lead to change in one’s character. This truth can be seen in both Dr. Victor Frankenstein and his monster in Mary Shelley's novel Frankenstein. This novel tells of an intelligent scientist who becomes obsessed with his work. He puts all other necessities below bringing life on seemingly unanimated life, which he later learns was more dangerous than expected. The story also features a monster, created from lifeless matter, who is abandoned by his creator. Because of this desertion, the monster comes to the unknown world with open arms, only to be tossed away by its cruelty. Because of both characters new understanding of subjects they were previously ignorant to, they exhibit drastic internal changes. These transformations are apparent
Mary Shelly’s novel, Frankenstein, can be greatly related to many horror novels, no consideration of morality or thought. Shelly writes her story in a real world perspective showing themes of corruption and downfall making it seem frighteningly realistic. It truly is mind-boggling how research can conflict with religion without a thought or care. During the enlightenment, science began to mask over faith and religion, creating a cultural phenomenon. This is still a factor in today’s world. Although experimenting and research can have poor and great affects, the common question comes to mind, “even though it can be done, should it be done?” While Shelly talks of science and technology, it seems to become more predominate that not all
In Mary Shelley’s novel, Frankenstein, doctor Victor Frankenstein is very egotistical and pushes every boundary of scientific advancement at the time by bringing to to life a creature. Normally, a breakthrough in science is seen in a higher light than that of the monster Frankenstein
In Frankenstein, Mary Shelley challenges the motives and ethical uncertainties of the scientific developments of her time. This critique has become increasingly relevant as modern scientists endeavor into previously unimagined realms of the natural world through the use of cloning and genetic engineering. Through careful analysis, we can see how the novel illustrates both the potential dangers of these exploits and the irony of the conflicts between science and creationism.
The story of Frankenstein by Mary Shelley displays a warning to mankind to not go too far into the unknown without caution. The tale of Victor Frankenstein’s life clearly depicts a tale of turmoil. Throughout the book it reflects on the result of an idea, desire, result of that desire and ultimately the consequence. The book easily correlates with the desire of mankind wanting to advance further in the unknown. As the practice of science grows it shall lead into more discoveries of the unknown and the information gained to evolve the practice should always remain utilized in moderation. Victor’s tale ends with the scientist losing everyone he loved due
Mary Shelley's renowned novel, Frankenstein, has been heavily regarded in its diverse and constant thought provoking themes of secrecy and the subliminal effects nature has on the scientifically inclined mind. From early on, readers are given the grotesque sequence that the tragic hero Victor Frankenstein goes through in order to achieve what can be seen as an unbenevolent act and ultimately fatal one from the incompetence Victor's character displays.
The monster is truly a scientific innovation, but he was unpredictable and a similar companion for him would be even more unpredictable. Frankenstein defies nature and thus shows that too much knowledge can lead to tragic consequences. Shelley warns that although science can be done, it does not mean that it should always be
Mary Shelley introduces science, in her novel Frankenstein, using her understanding of the scientific developments of her time about chemical physiology. She illustrates her fears about unrestrained science on the hands of ambitious people which can only lead to disasters. Shelley successfully show that the abuse of science represents a threat to the society.
Scientific tests are meant to be done in a controlled environment where mistakes can be made but corrected and perfected until a final polished product has been established. A scientific project as large as Frankenstein’s should have never left the place where he was created until the questions addressed above had been answered and humanity was prepared for such a creature. Because of Frankenstein’s zealous pursuit of science over family, reason, and even life, consequences occured. His malpractice led to the death of his brother, wife, father, housemaid, and friend. It also led to his death.
Mary Shelly’s novel Frankenstein explores the concept of the pursuit of knowledge and scientific discovery, focusing in on the question of “how much knowledge is too much?” The main protagonist Victor Frankenstein is a young man who searching for the secret of life. He is fascinated by mysteries of heaven and earth and secret of life, which eventually build up his strong passion to build a human body from pieces. Temptation and ardor overpower him when working on the project. He starts to have distant relationship with his family and friends and his overall health starts declining. After he brings his creature to life, he is not pleased, rather petrified about his outcome. The monster that he created with his hard work and effort results in being his own worst enemy.
As time marches onward, the collective knowledge and understanding of the human race grows ever larger, its pace accelerating with each successive revelation. Now more than ever, we must understand the implications of what we do—though now more than ever are we tempted to do away with caution and critical thinking, to be consumed by our passionate optimism, to foolishly believe that we might wield our power as freely as the gods, unconcerned with the consequences of our own actions. We live in a time of unprecedented scientific innovation and unprecedented naiveté, with the two intersecting more than any responsible society should allow; knowledge is power, and misused knowledge gives rise to the most terrible of powers, those unnatural, wretched things we call monsters. Through Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein, we can understand the vital importance of careful and considerate scientific inquiry, because Victor Frankenstein’s careless and inconsiderate conduct exemplifies how one should not approach science. This essay aims to demonstrate the dangers of misused knowledge; to emphasize the importance of rational, careful consideration of implications regarding scientific inquiry and innovation; to address the mutual exclusivity of passion and caution, and its relationship with the inevitability of monstrosities; and the redeeming nature of responsible conduct and emotional integrity necessary to repair the damages wrought by monstrous things. With foresight and reason we can
Science 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 Victor to create this creature which, as we learn throughout the story, should never have been created. Mary Shelley uses multiple themes in Frankenstein to reflect society and ultimately define the genre of science fiction.
In modern day society it is no secret that we can attain any piece of information that we would want to know, whether it be good or evil. In Mary Shelley’s novel, it has been said that this could perhaps be a warning to mankind. Shelley shows the reader how the infatuation of technology and sciences can therefore cause one to take advantage of the knowledge they attain that can help, and if not used correctly, ruin all of mankind. In the novel Frankenstein, it is concluded that Victor, the isolated scientist, is the character that will be showing some of the dangers throughout this novel. This scientist discovers the “secret of life” thus begins the creation of the monster himself, Frankenstein. Guilt takes over Victor as he soon realizes that his monstrous creation can ruin the lives of others and decides to keep Frankenstein a secret.
Scientists have been trying to clone Neanderthal babies; bringing prehistoric men back to life, and are trying to bring back other prehistoric animals to life, like Mammoths. As these scientists bring these ancient creatures to life, several questions arise, such as “How many failures would it take for success?” Where would they live?” “How would they fit in society?” These questions began to make scientists think twice about doing said experiment. A similar trait is shown in Mary Shelley’s classic novel, Frankenstein. The main character, Frankenstein, reanimates dead flesh and creates a living, breathing, and thinking creature, without thinking about the negative consequences. This unthought experiment results in indescribable horror, as several individuals were victims to the poor, confused creature’s reign. The confusion for the creation and creators and the ethics of the process both conclude that a science endeavor isn’t always morally right to execute, even if it can be done.