Science in Frankenstein Essay

Shelleys view on Science

Mary Shelley's novel Frankenstein is one neither typical nor stereotypical of the science fiction genre. Below the ire plot of a grotesque creator, lie a story deeply influenced by the discoveries during Mary Shelleys time of the early eighteen hundreds. It represents a era of vast scientific discoveries, and also a time of renewed social uncertainty and fear associated with such discoveries. One of the most obvious is the discovery of electricity by Benjamin Franklin who performed the infamous lightning kite experiment. She looks upon what is to us among the most important advances in human history with critic and intuitive perception. In her eyes, science is an powerful entity that benefites, but most likely desolates humanity if lest uncontrolled. She poses a fear toward science in the hands of people who are unreliable and sinful.

Although, the story was written in the 19th`s century the story should hold even greater terror for us, who have witnessed the commonplace of genetic mollified organisms and regality of organ transplants. She alludes in the story Frankenstein the dangers of science with this quote:

"You seek for knowledge and wisdom, as I once did; and I ardently hope that the gratification of your wishes may not be a serpent to sting you, as mine has been."

Correct with proper quoting (Above)

That the inevitable destruction that we could bring to ourselves via science could only be stopped if we end the quest for greater knowledge. Else they will be poison in the in the minds of a heedless man, and man himself shall be the first victim.

Her worries for scientific knowledge was shown through the changes in the personality of victor and prove that his interest in natural science could be the genius that has regulated my fate and the fatal impulse that led to my ruin.. She first displayed the innocence of his intentions by describing victor as an intelligent, fine, loving, noble and pure specimen. His childhood was glittering with happiness until his encounter with alchemy which robbed of his innocence and planted the seed of imminent doom. As he mark the foot step of his father in the pursuit in medical science, Frankenstein became increasingly isolated from his family. He hids himself in his apartment, working day and night, and inevitably Frankenstein succeeds in unfolding the mysteries of creation which Shelly sees as crossing ideal bounds of Life and death. He had intervene and usurped the power of god, this defines him like Prometheus who pour a torrent of light into our dark world., but in his obsession and irresponsibility, punishment shall soon follow.

Shelly did not like the prospect of science dictating and directing society, when often scientific ambition shatters on the altar of its own ``success`. Frankenstein is so blind to his peruse for knowledge that he undermined his family and most importantly, his own purpose and ambitions. Even at mans highest level consciousness, the outcome of our experiment is frequently beyond our rudimentary expectation. Frankensteins creature is his unwelcomed surprise. Despite the excellence and beauty that victor has chosen for the creature, the whole turns out to be far more and far less than the sum of its parts: more, because it turns out to be stronger and more intelligent than any mere human, making it uncontrollable; less, because the beautiful individual features, lustrous hair and white teeth add up to a monstrosity which the creator himself fled in abhorrence upon sight. now that I had finished, the beauty of the dream vanished, and breathless horror and disgust filled my heart. Unable to endure the aspect of the being I had created.

To Shelly, humans will never have enough responsibility while fooling around with power of nature. The void in such an essential element of science victimise our creation and ultimately us. Birth with out a woman and lacking the advice and love from his creator Frankenstein. The creature compare himself to Adam but soon realized that he was mold with out the presence of Eve and deserted by god. All theres left is the words of Satan and the and a world with out Eaton. Science will be eventually misused to break the moral grounds of humanity just like.