...In Chapter 24 of Frankenstein by Mary Shelley, Victor Frankenstein decides to leave Geneva and its painful memories after his entire family is destroyed. After searching for the monster for months, Victor eventually runs into Robert Walton and tells him his story. At this point of the novel, Walton regains control of the narrative and continues to send letters to his sister, Margaret. He begins to tell his sister that he asked Frankenstein how to create a monster and bring it to life. To that, Victor replied “are you mad, my friend . . . or whither does your senseless curiosity lead you? Would you also create for yourself and the world a demoniacal enemy? Peace, peace! Learn my miseries, and do not seek to increase your own.” Victor’s outburst raises the question of whether or not knowledge is dangerous. Knowledge is in fact dangerous when it is either broad, or far beyond our need in life. “Such words, you may imagine, strongly excited my curiosity; but...
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...Elvis Dizdarevic Interpretation of Lit 11/17/2011 Frankenstein: The Pursuit of Dangerous Knowledge By: Elvis Dizdarevic Aristotle once said, “All men by nature desire knowledge” and I tend to agree with him. Every human being strives to be more knowledgeable. It is something we all want. In society, it puts people above one another and gives a certain power to the ones who are intelligent. It is revered to be only a good thing to have and to seek but in some situations pursuing more knowledge is, in fact, dangerous. In Mary Shelley’s novel Frankenstein, two main characters have this obsessive pursuit of knowledge; Robert Walton and Victor Frankenstein. Walton, an Englishman, is on a quest to be the first to reach the North Pole. His story is the frame for Frankenstein and the monster’s stories. He is a determined man who wants to possess a knowledge that no one else has. Walton desires to explore uncharted lands and to discover new particulars unbeknownst to the average man. Victor Frankenstein parallels Walton in his obsessive pursuit of knowledge. Most would say Frankenstein is even more obsessive. Frankenstein is a man who is purely driven to learn more. While attending the University of Ingolstadt, Frankenstein learns all that his professors have to teach him. After mastering the sciences he becomes fascinated with life and its creation. So much that he neglects his family and stays in his apartment for months at a time to research. He believes that there is...
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...endeavour for knowledge, unable to comprehend the consequences, hence one allows their knowledge to become their weakness. The theme of dangerous knowledge is prominent in the story of Frankenstein by Mary Shelley. The three major characters face significant consequences due to their uncontrollable desire for knowledge, and more importantly, the manner in which they choose to do so. In the novel Frankenstein by Mary Shelley, the consequences of detrimental knowledge are shown through the actions and thoughts of the characters Frankenstein, Robert Walton and the Creature. The character of Victor in Frankenstein by Mary Shelley depicts the dangers of excessive...
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...Khizer Awan AP LIT Frankenstein Literary Analysis I Must Know More Frankenstein written by Mary Shelley is a romantic era novel based on the theme of knowledge. The word “knowledge” reoccurred many times throughout Frankenstein and forced the reader to understand the definition of it. According to Webster’s Dictionary, knowledge is defined as “Knowledge: n. Understanding gained by actual experience; range of information; clear perception of truth; something learned and kept in the mind.” The word knowledge is very simple, but has different meanings to all of us. Knowledge is the tool we use in making proper judgement. Knowledge is an extremely powerful thing and it must be used wisely and properly. Carelessly using knowledge can cause terrible consequences. The novel, Frankenstein, by Mary Shelley, is a novel that has many comparisons of powers in life. It pertains to many themes in society today. Frankenstein contrasts science, technology, life and death, and most importantly knowledge and ignorance. It shows the consequences of knowledge in both negative and positive ways. In Frankenstein, three characters searched for one thing - knowledge. Unfortunately the results of their search differed from what they had anticipated. Walton, blinded by ambition, believed that search for knowledge on the route to the North Pole would bring fame to his name, but he quickly learned that he ended up only with the danger to the lives of his crew. Frankenstein, driven by passion...
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...In Mary Shelley's book ¨Frankenstein,¨ Victor creates a monster whose appearance is put off as dangerous. Even though the monster tries so hard to make a friend, he is consecutively being rejected by every human he comes in contact with besides a blind man from the DeLacey family. In society your physical appearance is being judge by someone everyday. Who is too fat, who is too thin? Who wears too much makeup, who doesn't wear any at all? Who is too tall, who is too short? Everyone is not being judged just in our time period but the same thing was happening in the time period of Mary Shelley's book ¨Frankenstein.¨ Throughout the monsters multiple denials of acceptance by society and Victor, Mary Shelley shows that social rejection alters negative...
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...Frankenstein as a Gothic Novel Mary Shelley’s novel Frankenstein is considered as a Gothic novel but it can be seen as a compilation of both Gothic and Romantic because of the significance of the sublime. Certain events and settings in the novel present the gothic themes. Shelley uses the different themes in her novel to evoke feelings of horror and terror in the reader. Frankenstein engages in a quest in pushing the realms of science to their limits which leads him to playing god and creating an unnatural being using science. One of the themes Shelley uses in the novel to create the gothic presence is the theme of Forbidden Knowledge. Mary Shelley introduces the ideas that science is capable of being very dangerous and has consequences through the character of Victor Frankenstein. Shelley’s time was described as the age of unprecedented scientific discoveries, which influenced her in writing of Frankenstein. The process of the creation of his creation was influenced by the Italian physician Luigi Galvani who discovered “animal electricity” which manifests with the twitching of nerves and muscles when an electric current is applied. Frankenstein seeks to find “the secrets of heaven and earth” to fulfil his quest. He calls them secrets; he is aware they are not to be known and should not be found. Frankenstein knows that acquiring such knowledge would not be easy as he states “how dangerous the acquirement of knowledge”. Frankenstein is aware of the uneasy task of seeking...
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...In Mary Shelley’s novel Frankenstein, she warns readers about the possible dangers of science, and she shows what might happen to a person, family, or society if science were to be taken lightly and not properly reasoned. She describes how, if science were to be taken too far, it could have disastrous consequences. The famous example she makes in this book is the creation of Frankenstein’s creature, because the creature’s creation leads to several unfortunate events, which Shelley uses to symbolize the actual negative effects of science in the real world. Not only does she show that experimentation and theory may prove catastrophic, but in some cases learning as well. Her main character, Victor Frankenstein, gives a powerful statement about how dangerous scientific study can be. He says, “Learn from me, if not by my precepts, at least by my example, how dangerous is the acquirement of knowledge,” (35). He says this mostly because with knowledge comes power, and with power there is a substantial risk of the negative effects it could cause....
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...The idea that knowledge is a dangerous and powerful tool is a motif that occurs more than once throughout Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein. I will argue that knowledge is the major cause of suffering throughout this novel and it is what eventually drives one character to death, and another to the realization of what could possibly happen to him if continues as he is. The quest for knowledge is present throughout the entire novel and is implemented by multiple characters, with each presenting the same result. Starting with Victor Frankenstein, it becomes known that he strives to gain as much knowledge as he can, but eventually this expedition lands him in situations that are dangerous and unwanted. Victor’s main focus is science and despite his father’s wishes, he attends University and pursues his dreams. At the time when Victor attended college, there was little known about the field of science, especially chemistry. As Victor continues on in his endeavors, his thirst for knowledge (to learn?) continues to grow,...
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...The dangers of the pursuit of knowledge is a main theme in the novel Frankenstein. This theme is most evident in the main character Victor Frankenstein. He suffers because of his pursuit of knowledge and his creation ultimately destroys his life. As the novel progresses the creature begins to change as he gains knowledge. The creature at the start is innocent and means no harm. As he gains knowledge, however, he begins to learn that he does not fit in and becomes angry. We will take a closer look at how knowledge hurts these characters throughout the novel. The knowledge that Victor is pursuing and the knowledge the creature is pursuing have fundamental differences. Victor is working to try to figure out how to cheat death. This knowledge pushes the limit of what is accepted by society. This project is an unknown realm of science and the possible consequences of success are a mystery. Victor becomes so involved with the idea, however, that he fails to consider possible consequences. Creating a menace to society had not crossed his mind. His creature is at a different intellectual level. The creature does not understand the language of humans or how human society is structured. He observes and studies human behaviors and interactions. He learns the language and more about how humans work. He is surprised about what he learns and is angered by it. The creature is not accepted in human society, and his knowledge of this changes his personality into an angry outcast seeking revenge...
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...to the places. I wash my cloth in washing machine and dry them in the dryer. I don’t wear eyeglasses anymore because I am wearing contact lenses. Furthermore, this winter break, I am planning to have Lasik operation to correct my vision permanently. Then, I could say goodbye to my contact lenses. This is the sketch of my life, but just a part. I am living in the garden with full of scientific devices that I could no longer live without. Wow. How did we get here from the Garden of Eden to the Garden of Science? What makes the world to become such a science oriented society? What drives human beings to seek scientific knowledge of the world? Since I am a Christian who confidently believes in God’s creation of the world according to the Bible. I believe that it is a natural characteristic of the human being to seek more knowledge. The desire for more knowledge...
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...The first letter starts out in St. Petersburgh, Russia with Robert Walton writing to his sister Margaret Saville. Robert is writing to Margaret to explain that he’s going to the North Pole to find the discovery of the magnetic pull and to carve a path for others to follow him. Robert had lacked an educational foundation, but that didn’t stop him from pursuing knowledge. After failing as a poet, Robert inherited his cousin’s fortune. Therefore, Robert took 6 years to plan his undertaking, and he realizes that the path that he’s taking is dangerous, but he accepts the challenge. The second letter is from Archangel, Russia where Robert assembles his crew and acquires his ship. However, Robert is longing for a friend to share the experiences...
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...In Mary Shelley’s, Frankenstein, responsibility is a big part of the story. Victors teachers are responsible for him and he is responsible for his creation. Shelley indicates that much of the blame goes to his teachers. Victor’s teachers ignore his interest in alchemy knowledge without explaining why this knowledge is dangerous. At the university, M. Krempe, believe alchemists as “nonsense”(26) while M. Waldman says that alchemy “promised impossibilities and performed nothing"(27). When Victor started to work with modern science he dreams about the “promised impossibilities” of alchemy. Victor seeks dangerous knowledge, the creation of life, with new, practical methods of science. His teachers don’t realize how dedicated Victor is to figuring out alchemy and how to use it. Combining his knowledge of physiology and anatomy with enthusiasm he does create life-but it is, to him, a monstrous creation. One of the main themes is that a creator is obligated to their creation. Frankenstein is obligated to his creation and is responsible...
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...Gregorio Frankenstein Essay 412 Summer Intensive Professor Monaghan July 16th, 2015 Victor attributes his tragic fate to his relentless search for knowledge. Do you think that this is the true cause of his suffering? In what ways does the novel present knowledge as dangerous and destructive? Trace the similarities between Victor and the monster. Consider their respective relationships with nature, desires for family, and any other important parallels you find. Mary Shelley’s novel Frankenstein is a story about a brilliant but unorthodox scientist, Victor Frankenstein that rejects the artificial man that he has created, the Creature escapes and later swears revenge. Throughout the novel readers experience and learn about Victors boundless passion for knowledge and discover the positive and negative effects that come with his relentless search for it. Victor’s relentless search for knowledge ultimately leads to the death of his loved ones and friends as well as his own death. The suffering that Victor encounters can also be caused by other things in his life such as lack of family and companionship or lack of a love life. The knowledge that the monster obtains throughout the novel also comes with an emotional suffering that tarnishes the relationship with his regretful creator. As seen in the novel this emotional suffering obtained through knowledge caused danger and destruction that affected many people around Victor. One can surely say that Dr. Frankenstein and his creation...
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...Frankenstein by Mary Shelley taught readers the dangers of having too much knowledge and getting out of hand with Science. In Frankenstein you get a look behind not just one, but three characters who strive for knowledge. Each character has their own story, but the theme and lesson taught is the same that if you go looking for trouble you're going to find it. Their strive for knowledge ends up bringing them to dark and and dangerous places, one even ends up losing everything dear to him and eventually he ends up dead as well. Luckily for some in this story they learn from another's mistakes and take into caution what can happen if they let things get out of hand. Victor wanted to do nothing more than learn and expand his knowledge even if it...
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...Pursuit of Knowledge • “I continued to read with the greatest avidity” – Frankenstein while reading Cornelius Agrippa (outdated and disproven alchemist) • “In a scientific pursuit there is continued food for discovery and wonder” – Frankenstein reason • “My nights of the study of mathematics, the theory of medicine, and these branches of physical science from which a naval adventure might derive the greatness practical advantage” – Walton • “I can hardly describe to you the effect of these books” – Creature on the significance of books • “Oh, that some encouraging voice would answer in the affirmative!” – Walton asking for affirmation • “God like science” – Creature referring to language • “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” – Victor Frankenstein • “I cannot describe to you the agony that these reflections inflicted upon me; I tried to dispel them, but sorrow only increased with knowledge” – Creature Nature, Religion and the Sublime • “Their child, the innocent and helpless creature bestowed on them by heaven” – Frankenstein referring to an idealist himself in the eyes of his parents • “Change of place, some relief from my intolerable sensations” – Frankenstein • “...and I ceased to fear or to bend before any being less almighty than that which had created and ruled the elements” – Frankenstein referring to God...
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