Frankenstein, a classic in literature, was written by Mary Shelley. Its author incorporated several complex elements, making the novel a piece of literary art. One of these elements is the Enlightenment versus the Romantic views of science, knowledge, and progress, which make up an important part in her everyday life and her surroundings. This is exactly why she decided to incorporate such views in her novel, using the main character Victor Frankenstein and his creation. Victor Frankenstein is affected by such views, and reflects a swing back and forth from Romantic to Enlightenment. The novel is mainly focused on how humans treat nature and how it affects their lives. There is a complex line between the Romantic's respect towards nature and the enlightened thinker's emphasis on rational thought and ambition, and we can see several examples of this in the novel. Victor Frankenstein explores the Enlightenment point of view and due to the creation of the monster undergoes a complete shift towards the Romantic point of view on science and knowledge.
The Romantics disliked enlightened thinkers' emphasis on rational thought. Their approach to science was viewed as cold because they used deductive reasoning and a mathematical approach(Bossi), and Romantics believed the enlightened thinkers attempted to control nature. Romantics were seeking the peaceful coexistence with nature. Romantic views believe that science should not harm or have as a purpose to change nature, and also that knowledge is acquired through the examination of inner feelings and that it was necessary to understand and reunite with nature. They focus on life, science and psychology. Progress should be idealistic and democratic, concerned with the individuals. On the other hand, Enlightenment philosophies encourage reductionism which believes that knowledge will be acquired through a dissection of information and further investigations(Burns). Enlightenment philosophers believed that man's intellectual power was enough to understand the power of nature, and that nature should be controlled by humans. Their approach was a lot more precise than the Romantic. They deeply believed in order and logic and were optimistic about the present since they sought knowledge and glory.
The Romantic and Enlightenment point of view towards science and knowledge is compared throughout the story of Frankenstein. Mary Shelley uses one of the main characters, Victor Frankenstein, to compare both point of views since he starts influenced by the enlightened point of view and the creation of the monster is the product of such influence, and then everything changes. This point of view is introduced through the words of R. Walton when he says: "I shall satiate my ardent curiosity with the sight of a part of the world never before visited, and may tread a land never before imprinted by the foot of man." (16). This comment explains how discovering the unknown may bring personal satisfaction and ambition, and he shows great interest in science, or natural philosophy. Victor Frankenstein admits he is driven by this curiosity, since he admits that "natural philosophy is the genius that has regulated my faith." (40) For the Enlightened, this natural philosophy gave a secure foundation to any belief, and discoveries became the ultimate goal since knowledge was glory for them. Victor was convinced about the fact that science was going to bring a lot of benefits to him, and he thinks that it is "worthy" of his "consideration" when he expresses: "In this mood of mind I betook myself to the mathematics, and the branches of study appertaining to that science, as being built upon secure foundations, and so worthy of my consideration." (43)
However there is a major emphasis on the Romantic point of view since Mary Shelley criticizes the fact that Victor Frankenstein decides to attempt to control nature by giving life to a creature that turns out to be extremely dangerous for human beings. Victor Frankenstein ends up regretting how he ended up controlling nature, and he is forced to face the consequences of his actions. He admits in chapter 4 that "If the study to which you apply yourself has a tendency to weaken your affections, and to destroy your taste for those simple pleasures in which no alloy can possibly mix, then that study is certainly unlawful, that is to say, not benefiting the human mind", (56) and that A human being in perfection ought always to preserve a calm and peaceful mind, and never to allow passion or a transitory desire to disturb his tranquility.(56) He agrees with the Romantics since he admits that his approach towards controlling nature was something cold, unlawful, and harmful to human kind, filling him with painful thoughts when he said: "I became fully convinced that I was in reality the monster that I am, I was filled with the bitterest sensations of despondence and mortification. Alas! I did not yet entirely know the fatal effects of this miserable deformity." (117). Due to everything that he goes through he realizes the powerful and harmful effects rational thought and science has on nature, explaining that "They [scientists] penetrate into the recesses of nature, and show how she works in her hiding places...They have acquired new and almost unlimited powers; they can command the thunders of heaven, mimic the earthquake, and even mock the invisible world with its own shadows." (49) He becomes aware about the fact that with the "power" of science comes great responsibility, and that nature should not be bothered or altered, it should be respected and remain exactly how it is, since in the end nothing is more powerful than nature.
Victor Frankensteins creation, the monster, deeply regrets being created and depicts himself with abhorrence. His point of view is expressed when he finds Frankensteins journal, and refers to his accursed origin(132) as coming from a series of disgusting circumstances (132). The monster refers to himself as an odious and loathsome(132-133) creature, due to his agreement upon his creation was unnatural and that it should not have occurred. Also, when he talks to Victor he poses the following question: Why did you form a monster so hideous that even you turned from me in disgust? (133) Victor Frankensteins imperfect and miserable creation serves as living proof to support the Romantic point of view towards science and knowledge since it shows the horrible consequences that defying nature may lead to.
Throughout the novels volume three, Victor is forced to face the consequences of his actions, and while he travels back to London to gather information to create a new monster he is reminded of his former self, especially while being in contact with Clerval since he mentions that In Clerval I saw the image of my former self; he was inquisitive, and anxious to gain experience and instruction.(164) What Victor saw in Clerval goes back to the Enlightenment point of view, since Clerval is guided by his intense curiosity and thirst for knowledge, just like Victor used to be. Victor saw the whole situation with bitter anguish(159) and he compared the preparation for the creation of the new creature with the torture of single drops of water continually falling on the head.(164) He was restless and nervous(169) because he was employed in the most detestable occupation (169) . In the end Victor was dominated by the Romantic point of view and decided not to make the same mistake again. I thought with a sensation of madness on my promise of creating another like to him, (171) he said, and he tore to pieces the thing on which(171) he was engaged(171). This action clearly demonstrates the dominance the Romantic point of view had throughout the novel.
Mary Shelley effectively compares and contrasts both the Enlightenment and the Romantic point of view on science and knowledge throughout her novel. She makes use of the character of Victor Frankenstein to convey a greater message, since he goes through a significant transition from the Enlightenment point of view to the Romantic, due to the situations he faces. He begins giving in to curiosity and ambition and decides to create the monster, and later on he is severely affected by the consequences of his terrible decision, causing his shift towards the Romantic point of view, reflecting the dominance of such view in the novel.
Sources:
Bossi, M., and Poggi, S., ed. Romanticism in Science: Science in Europe, 1790-1840. Kluwer: Boston, 1994.
Burns, William E. 2003. Science in the Enlightenment. Santa Barbara, CA: ABC-CLIO.
"Science in the Age of Enlightenment -." Wikipedia. Web. 14 Jan. 2010. .
"Romanticism in science -." Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. Web. 15 Jan. 2010. .
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