It is often said that knowledge is power, however, one’s perspective lies at the heart of what one does with that power. Everything that is, or ever was, considered knowledge, carried a perspective and that perspective acted as a new lens. Through the lens of literature, a theme that is present in certain novels revolves around the dangers of the pursuit of knowledge. These novels suggest that the knower made a mistake in pursuing it and makes the argument that some knowledge should never be pursued. This ambiguity surrounding the ethics of the pursuit of knowledge leads to questions such as: how is a knower’s pursuit of knowledge deemed moral or immoral? Throughout history it is has been seen that scientific discoveries soon turned into toys …show more content…
Through this lens, the knower would be the character that is seeking said knowledge. In Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein, Victor Frankenstein, the knower, attempts to surge beyond accepted human limitations and attempts to discover the very secret of life through his scientific creation. However, his pursuit of knowledge proves to be extremely dangerous, even fatal. Victor’s creation results in the destruction of everyone dear to him. His perspective immediately changes after having brought his creation to life, and he grows to hate it in an obsessive manner. What once was supposed to be his scientific breakthrough was his ultimate …show more content…
Dr. Robert Hutchings Goddard was a physicist and he is considered the father of modern rocket propulsion. During the 1920s Goddard had outlined the possibility of a rocket reaching the moon. The media picked up Goddard’s scientific proposal and essentially used it to create a journalistic controversy exploring whether it was even possible to travel in space. This resulted in the belittlement of Goddard’s work and a non-believing public. However, during the World Wars, Goddard’s work largely outlined the technical detail of what became the German V-2 missiles, including gyroscopic control, steering by means of vanes in the jet stream of the rocket motor, power-driven fuel pumps, etc (NASA, “Dr. Robert H. Goddard”). When his original pursuit of knowledge was geared toward scientific space travel he was ridiculed, but once his work could be geared towards war, he was largely
In the book Victor Frankenstein goes through perhaps the most dangerous path knowledge could bring; it starts out as victor reading books gaining knowledge of past paths of science which his father does not approve. He then leaves for college and gains more knowledge, so much that he now desires to
Introducing the aspect of knowledge through the letters, the book shows the dangerous side of knowledge through a journey.
“Learn from me, if not by my precepts, at least by my example, how dangerous is the acquirement of knowledge, and how much happier that man is who believes his native town to be the world, than he who aspires to become greater than his nature will allow” (Shelley 60). In Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein, she expresses her beliefs regarding the danger of pursuing happiness through the attainment of knowledge, because true happiness is found in the emotional connections established between people. The pursuit of knowledge is not necessarily an evil thing, but it can cause destruction when it is pursued beyond natural limits. Victor Frankenstein becomes a slave to his passion for learning in more than one way; first his life is controlled by
Mary Shelley also shows the consequences of the pursuit of knowledge by depicting a mad scientist that did not think of the significance of the penalties he would face. Victor Frankenstein creates a monster that leaves him alone in this world and ultimately leads to his death. He says himself, “‘Learn from me. . . how dangerous is the acquirement of knowledge and how much happier that man is who believes his native town to be the world, than he who aspires to become greater than his nature will allow’” (Shelley 64). Curiosity is an important factor in humans even today. One could be curious about every aspect in life like Victor was. Once again, Victor did not know his limits, and this led him to face the consequences. The question now could be, would it be better if we were brainwashed and did not have the ability to pursue knowledge? What if we believe every word the media says? If our pursuit of knowledge cuts off, then one would believe everything the media says. As Albert Einstein says, “The true sign of intelligence is not knowledge but
Throughout the novel Frankenstein by Mary Shelley is an excerpt from stories, letters and first person experiences from the characters. The idea of tabula rasa is a great example of how the Monster’s feelings are developed. The monsters experience from a family and the readings of some books, helped form his actions. The dangers of incomplete knowledge is a great interpretation of this book. That because of past experiences can develop good and bad of every similar situation. Although, the lack of knowledge can cause disruption of new and peaceful experience.
Knowledge is power. Victor takes this idea to an all new level. With this creation of new life, Victor realizes the power that he has with this knowledge. He also understands the danger of having so much power. This shows the he doesn't care what has to be done in order to gain this knowledge. He sets an example about just how dangerous and destructive the thirst of knowledge can
Over the past few centuries, the intellectuals of society have made countless advances in science and the development of technology, which, to different degrees, have all benefitted mankind. These scientific discoveries are a result of man’s thirst for and dedication to acquiring knowledge, information, and power. The innate curiosity and desire for understanding in an individual can grow so immense that his or her moral and ethical boundaries erode, which results in disastrous consequences for all who are involved. The novel Frankenstein, by Mary Shelley, is both a warning and a plea about the dangers of misusing academic prowess and the
Knowledge can be useful, but also dangerous. Too much knowledge can lead to dangerous consequences. The novel Frankenstein by Mary Shelley displays how the pursuit of knowledge can be dangerous to an individual. Throughout the novel the main character Victor is on a journey of acquiring knowledge, which ultimately leads to his demise. Acquiring too much knowledge can pose risk to one's health, sanity, and their surroundings.
I agree with the classic novel Frankenstein by Mary Shelly , the danger of too much knowledge, the misuse of knowledge, and knowledge for good and evil are all interwined within the story. Having too much knowledge can lead to dangerous consequences. For an example, We see how his thirst of knowledge can bring them to places, and they could eventually find out what they are looking for, but eventually takes them to dangerous places, and unwanted. The creature is a character who yearns for knowledge that proves to be dangerous.
Mary Shelley’s novel, Frankenstein, enforces the idea that there should be a limit to the pursuit of knowledge through Gothic literature. Victor Frankenstein, the main character, is obsessed with science and the possession of more knowledge, to the point where it becomes dangerous. Shelley depicts these traits of gothic literature through Victor to emphasize the dangers of obtaining too much knowledge. She does this with the horror that is present throughout the story, as well as violence. In addition to this, Shelley includes Victor’s troubled feelings after obtaining this knowledge through sublime nature.
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.
The desire of extensive knowledge is first seen through Victor Frankenstein. At the beginning of the novel, a young boy named Victor grows up in Geneva “deeply smitten with the thirst for knowledge” (20).
Science and literature were constantly evolving period in the early 1800s in Britain. There was a shift from the more logical Enlightenment to the more emotional Romantic Period. Certain “features of modern science didn’t become standard elements of scientific practice until the 1800s. Clinical research, laboratories, government funding, scientific journals and professional associations all date from this period” (http://www.sciencemuseum.org.uk/broughttolife/themes/science ). While science was wrapping up advances in the 1800s, literature began to start because “the Romantic period was largely a reaction against the ideology of the Enlightenment period that dominated much of European philosophy, politics, and art from the mid-17th century
Knowledge is bad according to the creatures opinion. The more the creature discovers the more fascinated he gets but the further he knows about it the more depress he gets. When the creature learns everything about man he is in such agony that he "tried to dispel them, but sorrow only increased with knowledge."(135) The creature even compares knowledge by saying that it clings to the mind like a lichen on a rock. Moreover, once the creature acknowledge the fact that he is nothing like man he compares himself to them and says that his "stature far exceeded theirs"(135) by this the creature clarifies that he is even better than mankind. Next, the creature is trying to state that a man is respected with only one acquisition but without it a man
One’s careless behavior can place them in horrible predicaments. As superior beings, every individual learns how to behave. If that individual behaves well, then they will receive good in return. If that individual’s behavior is corrupt, they know the consequences are dire, or do they? There are a few reasons defending that Victor Frankenstein’s unquenchable thirst for knowledge was not the cause of his tragic end. In all actuality, it was Victor’s unawareness that brought him to his terrible fate. During the creation of the monster, Victor was not cautious with his decisions; he was, instead, boastful and fanfaronade. His abandonment towards his creation caused a great divide between their relationship, sadly, resulting to his horrific death.