Knowledge in "Frankenstein"

Paper Summary:

The paper attempts to show how Mary Shelley's "Frankenstein" warns against the incredible danger lurking under the guise of seeking knowledge and goes on to explain that this novel was written at a time when science was welcoming new and exciting notions. The paper describes how Victor Frankenstein embodies all of the characteristics of a successful scientist but he take things too far when his thirst for knowledge becomes his entire focus and he admits that he would kill to see his goal achieved. The paper emphasizes that knowledge is power but an unhealthy desire for knowledge is suicide.

From the Paper:

"A healthy thirst for knowledge is generally perceived as a positive thing. Individuals are regarded as brave and intielligent when they take on new challenges and try new things. However, we all know that there is a fine line between brilliance and insanity and Shelley paints a portrait of an individual that goes too far to fulfill his own desire. Shelley wrote Frankenstein at a time when the world was entertaining new ideas and pondering the possibilities of many mysteries. Shelley's novel was poised at a time in the nineteenth century when science welcomed new and exciting notions and the potential for simulated life was the topic of many enlightened discussions."

Sample of Sources Used:

• Garrett, Martin. Mary Shelley. New York. Oxford University Press, 2002.
• Hoobler, Dorothy and Thomas. The Monsters: Mary Shelley and the Curse of Frankenstein. New York: Little, Brown and Company, 2006.
• Shelley, Mary. Frankenstein. New York: Bantam Books, 1981.

More papers on Knowledge in "Frankenstein":

• Analytical Essay # 61472 : "Science in "Frankenstein"
• Book Review # 102984 : "Nature and Science in "Frankenstein"
• Book Review # 1844 : "Mary Shelly's "Frankenstein"

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