Frankenstein: Technology's Role In Modern Society

In the modern world, many inventors and scientists are discovering many new ways to challenge and improve society, as it progresses it challenges the ways in how far imagination can go. In these readings, that’s what many of the creators or young inventors tried to do and conquer the challenges and limits of imagination. In the novel Frankenstein, it is about a scientist named Victor Frankenstein who is eager to learn new ideas and thinking from his professors. Victor Frankenstein then creates a monster that destroys everything he has starting from his youngest brother William to his beloved wife Elizabeth. At the end, the creature gives Victor clues to come and follow him, and soon the responsibility passes to Walton who then finds the creature, who kills himself for his actions. Some terms to know is that science fiction is a type of fiction based on futuristic thinking and scientific or technological advances. Also, the pursuit of knowledge can affect humanity by showing some knowledge brings many fatal and other long-term consequences, but some knowledge can produce new pathways into the future.

The novel, Frankenstein, written by Mary Shelley, centers around a scientist, Victor Frankenstein, and the creation that comes from one of his experiments. In her book, Shelley addresses the concern of technology going too far and disrupting human life. She argues that the progression of technology becomes monstrous when humans can no longer control it. In many cases, the use of genetic engineering leaves scientists useless because they have no control over the consequences that come from it. Victor Frankenstein is trying to recreate life, but does not understand everything that comes with it. His attempt to copy life, ended up disturbing the natural order of human life because of the unexpected actions of the creation. The use of genetic

Smartphones. Televisions. Computers. In this time period when technology has become prevalent, it is almost impossible for someone to not have constant contact with such gadgets on an everyday basis. As technology becomes more advanced, human beings are further entrenched in this field of innovation. In fact, some have claimed that their dependence on technology is so extreme that instead of using other means, they strive to eliminate its negative effects through more innovation (Dreyfuss). Such overdependence can be considered as technology addiction. One of the most prominent changes that sparked this addiction is the Industrial Revolution, a boom in technological progress. During the Industrial Revolution, Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein, a

In Shelley's Gothic novel, Frankenstein, Frankenstein, the protagonist, works to complete his goals, but has little regard for consequences, thus leading to disaster. In the late 18th Century in Geneva, a man that goes by Victor Frankenstein always had a feverish nature in regards to science. Ever since he was a young boy, he had been gifted with this skill and would often read about famous scientists of the past. When he went to university to further develop his knowledge, he became modernized in his thoughts when he was introduced to more modern scientific sources, and along with it, his endeavors to achieve greatness only grew. He, however, had little regard for other topics, such as family, other knowledges, and even self-care, socialization, and ultimately safety. This lack of regard for precautionary

Shelley displays the dangers of having an overpowering passion while isolating oneself from the rest of the world. Frankenstein became brainwashed by his passion and it soon brewed into a dangerous mix that robbed the lives of Victor and his loved ones. His selfishness convinced him to sign away his conscience, and give birth to a new monster both physically and mentally for Victor. He pushed the parameters of science and received the abhorrent consequences that Romantics were paranoid of during this time period. Scientists all over the world intrude on the natural bounds of science, and Shelley warns those scientists that nature will punish those who do. Humans must be careful when creating bionic robots, or cloning their pets, because nature will take matters into its own hands when it feels the line has been crossed. People all over the world have a natural curiosity about what makes humans humans and how far we can venture into the mysteries of nature, however, only a few develop that curiosity into an obsession and insubordination of humanity and ethics. Shelley provides a warning for all those who take that curiosity to a new level, showing that if you push nature, nature will surely push

somewhere if we are to distinguish the lies that tell truths form the just plain

In Shelley's Frankenstein, it's interesting to see how Mary Shelley both admires and despises science. When writing the novel, Shelley makes a point to note that Victor's idea to create life through inanimate body parts is noble and the science behind the idea could become a great scientific leap for mankind. On the other hand, Mary Shelley makes the point that Victor Frankenstein's life fell into turmoil and destruction from his obsession to obtain the power to create life. Through the many experiments his obsession brought him, Victor Frankenstein was able to create life, a feat that no man had yet been able to achieve. However in his haste, Victor created a monster rather than a human. The monster created by Victor can be considered as

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

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

In the classic novel, Frankenstein, Mary Shelley executes telling the story of Dr. Victor Frankenstein’s triumph of creating a unique monster, and the unintentional, horrifying chaos that later unfolds. Victor Frankenstein is an indefatigable young student at the University of Ingolstadt who uses his knowledge of the sciences‒biology, electricity, Galvinism, pseudo-genetic engineering, and early genetics–to create his Monster. He believes that his creation will spark a revolution for future scientific advancements. However, when the Monster is brought to life on a stormy night, his excitement is halted by pure revulsion, stating that “breathless horror and disgust filled my heart”(p. 55). Mary Shelley does a delightful job of portraying Frankenstein in most aspects, but an 1824 critique from the Knight’s Quarterly Review appears to argue quite the opposite.

In Frankenstein, Shelley believes technology has become the true monster when used in an inappropriate way. While social media can be positive at times, it allows people to cyberbully one another. This creates a negative opinion on technology. The negative repercussions from modern day technology prove Shelly’s viewpoint is still valid. Victor Frankenstein is immature with his scientific advancements.

Mary Shelley uses her novel, Frankenstein, as a means to convey her attitude on certain scientific and moral issues of the time. She utilizes the plot of the novel to express concern surrounding scientific achievement, to put forward the notion that God should not be a passive being, and to iterate the concept that beings are not born “good” or “bad”, but rather become “good” or “bad” based on their interactions with their surroundings. Victor Frankenstein, while central to the plot of the book, is given an additional purpose by Shelley. Shelley created Victor as an allegory to the Industrial Revolution, an era that was changing her world in radical ways. Victor made himself ill in his chase to create his monster, never stopping to think of

In Mary Shelley’s novel Frankenstein, Victor Frankenstein’s life story is the heart of the tale. As a young Swiss boy, he grew up in Geneva reading the works of the ancient and outdated alchemists, a background that serves him ill when he attends university at Ingolstadt. There he learns about modern science and, within a few years, masters all that his professors have to teach him. He becomes fascinated with the “secret of life,” discovers it, and brings a hideous monster into the world. The monster proceeds to kill Victor’s youngest brother, best friend, and wife; he also indirectly causes the deaths of two other innocents, including Victor’s father. Though

Both Heidegger and Shelley’s writing focus on technology though Heidegger questions whether technology is a means to an end or a human activity while arguing for both. Conversely, Shelley pushes the boundaries of where technology should go. As Heidegger explains, technology is a sort of revealing. Modern technology, particularly, drives forth man to do this revealing and to alter the world around him. This does not apply as much to non-modern technology, as Heidegger explains, since it does not alter the world around them but is altered by the world (e.g. a windmill).