Creating living organisms is one of the complex tasks that some scientists have been trying to accomplish over the years. Scientists have gone beyond inventing new technology and mechanisms that would support humankind’s life to create living creatures directly. The book Frankenstein by Mary Shelley narrates the story of a highly skilled scientist Victor Frankenstein who pursues his dream of making a living creature. Despite being successful in giving life to the creature, it turns into an unpleasant being which is not desired result and ends up being rejected by Victor. The creature, therefore, starts to seek vengeance through terror and murder. The story portrays the limitations of human beings in creating living creatures and that only God is perfect in making such beings. The book is a cautionary tale that warns society against the dangers of scientific ambitions by playing God and the significance of being responsible for our actions. This article discusses the main themes portrayed, which include the dangers of playing God, the repercussions of isolation and individualism, the pursuit of knowledge, and the creator’s responsibilities towards the created.
Frankenstein is obsessed with his scientific ambition and assumes the role of God in creating his creature. There should be limits in knowing the true nature of things that God has once presided (Bartlett). Frankenstein wants to create life, a role that only God can execute. Frankenstein says, ‘’I have described myself as always having been imbued with a fervent longing to penetrate the secrets of nature… Sir Isaac Newton is said to have avowed that he felt like a child picking up shells beside the great and unexplored ocean of truth.’’ The quote shows how Frankenstein was obsessed with the dangerous knowledge that he was ready to pursue. The scientist suffers the consequences and repercussions of his creation as it causes death and difficulties to some of his closest relatives. One of the ill consequences is the murder of his brother, William, who was killed by the monster. The monster haunts Frankenstein wherever he goes, even in the mountains where he lives alone. The monster admits to killing William to injure Frankenstein since he had abandoned it. The monster persuades his creator to create a female monster to be a companion to the lonely male monster. Later, the scientist is arrested and accused of the murder of his friend Henry Clieval who the beast killed.
Moreover, on the wedding day night, the monster kills Frankenstein’s bride, Elizabeth. His father dies after Frankenstein discloses the news of the death of his bride to him. Afterward, Frankenstein dies in his pursuit to kill the monster. Through these events, we learn how the knowledge Frankenstein was so obsessed with rewards him with negativities instead of being helpful to him.
Isolation and individualism are other themes in the book that have been used to show the dangers of isolation and individualism. Individualism in integrating and incorporating knowledge of some phenomena that is insufficient, and one must consider the social norms. Even though anti-individualism threatens our knowledge’s authority, including others is always advisable (Burge, 663). The book incorporates individualism and social isolation to reveal that the two are the root causes of evil practices and their consequences. Frankenstein does not share his project about the creation of life but decides to isolate himself and work secretly and individually—however, the secret ends after the creature breaks free and causes violence in society. Frankenstein runs to his friend Henry for support. Suppose the scientist would involve some friends and other advisors in his project; better ways of making the creature would have been found.
Consequently, his isolation and individualism in making the monster make him more isolated and lonely as the beast takes away all his closest relatives. Isolation can also be seen through the monster as he is rejected and separated from his creator, causing it to suffer alone, and he orders his creator to make a company for him to comfort him. The monster says,” I am alone, and miserable; man will not associate with me; but one as deformed and horrible as myself would not deny herself to me. My companion must be of the same species and have the same defects. This being you must create.’’ The creature believed that humans would not accept him and hence isolated. The monster is the symbol of the destructive consequences of individualism and isolation. The book depicts that a lack of connection to society may lead to destructive behavior that may harm other people.
Everything comes at a price, and everyone should be responsible for their actions. Responsibility is another theme in the book that shows how Frankenstein was irresponsible in his actions and creation. The lack of responsibility spurs revenge in the creature since Frankenstein cannot attend to his needs, including creating a companion for the monster. Frankenstein rejects his creature, as depicted by the monster’s words, ” Yet you, my creator, detest and spurn me, thy creature, to whom thou art bound by ties only dissoluble by the annihilation of one of us. You purpose to kill me. How dare you sport thus with life?’’ The words show that the creature deserves care from his creator, but instead, Frankenstein abandons it and fails to satisfy his needs. Seeing that his creator does not show him any responsibility and care, the monster vows to destroy Frankenstein’s life. Due to the lack of Frankenstein’s irresponsibility, society suffers death losses caused by Frankenstein’s creation. Generally, the book emphasizes the importance of personal and social responsibility for a thriving community and urges those in positions of power to be responsible and utilize the power for the well-being of other people.
The pursuit of dangerous knowledge in the book shows how Frankenstein is obsessed with finding a way to create and sustain human life. Humans should have a limit on the knowledge they explore, especially when it involves nature (Simon). The book explores the dangers of the relentless pursuit of human knowledge and the penalties of crossing moral limitations in the quest for discovery. Frankenstein is overwhelmed by the desire to unravel the secrets of death and life. His desires drive him to study complex sciences and engage in unethical experiments beyond accepted norms. His quest for knowledge leads to the death of his beloved ones and, finally himself.
Similarly, Walton risks his life traveling through the ice in his endeavors to explore the globe and reach the North Pole and discover new knowledge beyond the boundaries of human understanding. His quest ends abruptly when he encounters Frankenstein and the monster. Frankenstein tells Walton, “Lean from me, if not by my precepts, at least by my example, how dangerous is the acquirement of knowledge, and how happier the man is who believes his native town to be the world, than he who aspires to become greater than his nature will allow.” The words show how dangerous it is to pursue knowledge beyond nature.
In conclusion, the character of Frankenstein and his creator raises significance in understanding the limits of human scientific ambitions against nature, the need for being responsible, and the importance of collectivism with others. Irresponsibility without taking into account the well-being of others can have more significant consequences, and social norms and ethics must accompany knowledge pursuit. The exploration of human nature complexities and the consequences of our actions are themes that remain relevant to society.
Works Cited
Bartlett, Andrew. “Frankenstein and Scientific Revelation: Frankenstein and the Problem of Modern Science (Part 2 of 3).”.” Anthropoetics: The Journal of Generative Anthropology 13.1 (2007).
Burge, Tyler. “Individualism and self-knowledge.” The Journal of Philosophy 85.11 (1988): 649-663.
Simon, Art. Dangerous Knowledge. Temple University Press, 2010.
write