Essay about Frankenstein- Acquirement of Knowledge

Words: 1482
Pages: 6
Open Document
“How the 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.” To what extent does Shelley’s Frankenstein support Victor Frankenstein’s view?
Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein explores the concepts of knowledge and science and the dangers involved with the pursuit and investigation of these ideas. The novel conveys Shelley’s attitudes towards science by portraying it as having the capability to exceed the bounds of human restraint. Through the development of her protagonist Victor Frankenstein, the romantic and gothic aspects of her novel, the period of 1818 and the influences of the world she was living in that …show more content…
Shelley uses the Romantic contrast of man vs. Nature to portray scientific development.
The culture and general characteristics of the time of 1818 where Shelley was living are evident in the text. As the historical setting is in this period Shelley incorporates certain aspects of the time into the novel, consequently criticizing or praising her perception of society. The 19th century was a period of great change, socially, politically and scientifically. This time saw the rise of Imperialism and of the Industrial Revolution in Britain and the literary movements of Romanticism and Victorianism. Shelley also explores the significance of science during 1818 which was at its height of research and discoveries. Shelley portrays Victor as the embodiment of the overambitious scientists of the time. Through his failure and realisations of his wrongs she consequently illustrates her lack of faith in science and the danger it can cause with researching aspects of nature that aren’t meant to be tampered with. Scientist’s purposes were previously to understand science but in this strange time of science the scientists took on the role of writers and poets and began to create. Shelley felt that this was an insult to
Show More

Related Documents: Essay about Frankenstein- Acquirement of Knowledge

Essay on John: Frankenstein and Happy Young Man

his quote is stated by Victor Frankenstein in Chapter 4 of Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein, and he is talking to Robert Walton about his studies in Ingolstadt. More specifically, he is discussing knowledge and the repercussions of acquiring knowledge. He tells Walton to view him as a reason not to acquire knowledge, as it is dangerous. If not by his orders, he says, at least by his examples. He says a man who has little knowledge other than what he learned from his surroundings will be happier than the…

Words 418 - Pages 2

Walton's Ambition In Frankenstein

In the novel Frankenstein, the character of Robert Walton thoroughly displays the theme of the destructive nature of ambition and knowledge. Shelley’s novel commences with four letters that Walton sends to his sister each giving the reader a synopsis of the character’s ambitious nature. The reader initially grasps that the character of Walton is self-taught as he reveals “my education was neglected, yet I was passionately fond of reading as these volumes were my studies day and night.” (Letter…

Words 504 - Pages 3

Unfinished Fr and Br Notes Essay

Frankenstein/ Blade Runner Notes and Quotes http://www.shmoop.com/frankenstein/victor-frankenstein-quotes.html Frankenstein http://www.directessays.com/viewpaper/95761.html?utm_expid=174881-1&utm_referrer=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.google.com.au%2F * 19th Century. * Post-enlightenment era: Pursuit for knowledge and reasoning over religious dogma. Science was arising * Industrial Revolution: A period of scientific and technological advancement Manual labour was replaced by machinery…

Words 542 - Pages 3

Essay on Frankenstein Response

Prisilia Suwuh Frankenstein Volume I Response Paper Volume one of Frankenstein begins with a series of letters from a sea captain, Robert Walton, as he writes to his sister about his voyage to the North Pole. He is eager and passionate about his expedition when writing to his sister, however also feels loneliness. Upon his voyage he finds a man stranded on an ice ledge and recovers him. Curious about this stranger, Walton asks for him to tell his story. Walton’s narration ends and the stranger’s…

Words 705 - Pages 3

Who Is Walton's Ambition In Frankenstein

tone of selfish ambition from the very start of her novel, Frankenstein. “All men make mistakes, but a good man yields when knows his course is wrong, and repairs the evil.” Protagonist Victor Frankenstein proves to be an egotistical and a prideful scientist on a quest to become a godlike reincarnate. However, He will eventually atone for his sins, but not after the lives of his loved ones are compromised. Throughout the piece Dr. Frankenstein denies the havoc he has created, He is too arrogant to admit…

Words 526 - Pages 3

Technology In Frankenstein

The blurred lines between improving technology and violating humanity’s limits present the question of when technology is overused. This recurring question is answered in Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein, in which she demonstrates the dangers of abusing technology through the story of a human who plays the role of Creator. Embedded in her story, Shelley displays the impossibility to control over advanced technology, and its inevitable destructiveness, through the actions of Victor Frankenstein’s creation…

Words 1766 - Pages 8

Romanticism In Frankenstein Research Paper

Giving the life to the dead, was it practical? For Victor Frankenstein, a tragic hero in the novel Frankenstein, the idea of creating life with his own hands was extremely powerful. The want and need to create an entirely new life was perpetuated into his mind. Frankenstein was completed in 1817 during a time in history called the Romantic period. Mary Shelley, the author of Frankenstein, was influenced greatly by the time period in which she lived to create the novel. Romanticism was a very popular…

Words 985 - Pages 4

Legalizing Euthanasia In Mary Shelley's Frankenstein

perfectionate our weak and faulty natures.” (Shelley 13). In Mary Shelly’s Frankenstein, she talks much about the abuses and dangers of advancement of science and technology. Advancements can be very beneficial and help the world move forward such as furthering causes such as Euthanasia. This being put into place for the people’s benefit to help end pain and suffering. Though as Mary Shelly warns us in her novel Frankenstein, at what cost must we suffer to advance Euthanasia and how can it be misused…

Words 426 - Pages 2

Essay Comparing Frankenstein And The Vindication Of The Rights Of Woman

society, there are few that have been as influential as Mary Wollstonecraft and Mary Shelley. In Frankenstein by Shelley and The Vindication of the Rights of Woman by her mother, Wollstonecraft, the two introduce revolutionary philosophies concerning the importance of education and appearance through the use of Romantic imagery, which helped to shape societal mores for centuries to come. Both in Frankenstein and The Vindication of the Rights of Woman, there is a prevailing theme of education. Both authors…

Words 1203 - Pages 5

Frankenstein Quotes Friendship

Theme: Friendship "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." Chapter 4, pg. 38 Victor is trying to display his regret for attaining and seeking information so vigorously. When he explains his regret so strenuously, he ends up stating that he wish he spent more time with friends and his…

Words 487 - Pages 2