The Curse Of Knowledge In Frankenstein

In Shelly’s ‘Frankenstein’, the theme of Knowledge is cultivated for multiple purposes. These include the effects of scientific advances, the de-mystification of nature, nature’s revenge and social relations in the romantic era. By examining knowledge in relation to the characters of Victor, Walton and the Creature it can be seen that the theme of knowledge is used a warning against the Enlightenment and a personification of the social injustices of the time.

In Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein, Victor spends hours on end to create new life using his variety of science knowledge. Once he creates the monster the appearance of it leads to Victor it. The monster has to learn how to survive and talk all by himself, with no one to lead him in the right direction. As Victor discovers, the power of knowledge without conversing with people it causes events to turn for the worse.

In her fear-provoking novel Frankenstein, Mary Shelley explores the consequences of fervently pursuing a desire for knowledge. She reveals the dangers of acquiring knowledge through her character, Victor Frankenstein, who becomes so consumed with discovering the origin of life that he eventually endows life upon a creature built from lifeless matter. However, Victor neglects his duties as a creator by abandoning his creation, as he is immediately disgusted by the creature’s appearance. On his own, the creature is constantly rejected by society due to his appearance, and ultimately, he vows revenge on his creator. The creature fulfills this task by murdering most of Victor’s loved ones, including his closest friend, Henry Clerval, and his own

Victor Frankenstein desire for knowledge to become the ‘man of science’, causes him hunger for the unknown. As he studies natural philosophy and chemistry he discovers ancient scientists, yet is not satisfied with their work and decides to conduct his own. Victor builds from previous discoveries of others and his experiences; however, his obsession and success of bringing a creature to life also destroys his family and life. Mary Shelley, the author, uses Victor’s lack to assume responsibility for his choices and ambition, along with the town's fearful reaction to the Creature as a way to show how it is better to determines ones own view of right or wrong rather than conforming.

In Mary Shelley’s novel, Frankenstein, the pursuit of knowledge was weighed against the negative affects such knowledge would have on humanity. Mankind, in all of its glory, was shown to be both virtuous and powerful, as well as condescending and base. The desire to create a superior race of humans led to death and destruction on the behalf of both the monster, and Dr. Victor Frankenstein. Life, and it's worth, were measured against the mental states of Dr. Frankenstein and the monster, as they transitioned from believing to, and looking down upon humanity. The morals and ideas of the monster were reflections of those of his creator, as both evolved to place varying states of importance on the value of natural life.

“It is a man's own mind, not his enemy or foe, that lures him to evil ways” (Buddha). Frankenstein, by Mary Shelley, is a science fiction novel about knowledge. In the novel, Victor Frankenstein spends years creating a creature from dead bodies. Upon the completion of his project, he immediately abandons the creature leaving him to discover humanity on his own. In Mary Shelley's novel, both Frankenstein and his creature are on a search for knowledge, though the quest is executed in opposite ways: Frankenstein wields his knowledge, while the creature innocently desires it, proving Frankenstein to be the real monster.

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

Some people say that intelligence can be both a curse and a blessing. They argue that in many ways knowledge can help mankind, while it also can create dangerous monsters that can harm others. However, in Frankenstein by Mary Shelley, Victor’s intelligence is portrayed as only a curse because it unleashes a murderer, results in his perpetual sickness, and makes him want to keep the knowledge a secret. First, knowledge is portrayed as only a curse and not a blessing in Frankenstein because Victor’s intelligence creates the creature who becomes a murderer. After Victor finishes his creation, he exclaims that “the beauty of the dream vanished, and breathless horror and disgust filled [his] heart” (Shelley, 56).

Socrates once said, "To know, is to know that you know nothing. That is the meaning of true knowledge." This quote holds much truth as a truly knowledgeable and wise person would recognize that there is always more to learn and no one will always know everything. Thus, this idea states that new knowledge will constantly enter and shape one’s character. Similarly, the idea of being aware that one does not know everything and will constantly have knowledge shaping their character is present in Mary Shelley 's Frankenstein. In Frankenstein, knowledge causes deterioration in character and morals. This is shown through the monsters behavioral change and through Frankenstein 's loss of sanity.

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.

The limits to the pursuit of knowledge are reached when man gets over ambitious like Victor frankenstein's ambition to master the creation of life. This over ambition can lead to problems of its own just like all of Victor's problems. All of Victor's problems started because of “the monster whom [he] had created” (189). Due to his over ambition

In the book Frankenstein written by Mary Shelley one theme that sticks out and is constant throughout the book is the theme that knowledge is danger. This theme is seen with the three main speakers and characters Victor, Robert, and Victor’s Monster. They are learning more and more knowledge eventually trying to push past the knowledge already known overlooking the dangers of which comes with great knowledge. This still occurs in today’s society.

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.

It is widely agreed fact that education is essential for ensure survival in this world; it is also indispensable for foster scholarly interaction within society and provide the support needed for stability in our lives. However, it is disputed as to how much knowledge should be allowed to cultivate as it claimed that too much education can have bring adverse effects. Knowledge has to be regarded with caution when scholars decide to venture into the realm of curiosity and explore the unknown on their own. Sometimes, these scholars get so absorbed into their work that they lose sight of their surroundings and are unaware to the consequences of their actions. In the novel, Frankenstein by Mary Shelley

“The man of knowledge must be able not only to love his enemies but also to hate his friends” (Nietzsche). In the novel, Frankenstein by Mary Shelley knowledge is seen as a dangerous concept because of Victor's creation, the man of knowledge neither loves nor hates, but in this case, hate is seen all throughout towards the creature. In the novel, we see how the creature’s surroundings affect him and make him have so much anger towards the people who showed him rejection and hatred because of his appearance. The creature is abandoned by his creator Victor Frankenstein in an unknown world where he needs to face challenges that his environment has impacted in a psychological