Frankenstein, a novel written by Mary Shelley, is the first book of science fiction. This novel was published in 1818 when Mary Shelley was about 20 years of age. In the novel, captain Walton narrates to his wife in form of letters the story of a man he rescued. The story begins with Captain Walton writing letters to his wife, as he had traveled to get inspiration for his book, along the way he rescues a man who had experienced a lot in his life due to wanting to know more. Captain Walton realizes that the man was a scientist who according to him had created a monster to quest his thirst for knowledge. Victors say to Captain Walton, “You seek for knowledge that 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” (Pg 22). In this essay, we shall discuss the consequences of the actions of Frankenstein’s characters.
Victors’ actions in Frankenstein’s book are greatly affected by wanting to know about science and nature. Regardless Victor says, “…my inquiries were directed to the metaphysical, or in its highest sense, the physical secrets of the world.” (Pg 33). He always wanted to know more about the universe and to gain knowledge from different people about different things to avail the secrets of the world. He used to read books of old philosophers and his professor enlightened him on acquiring knowledge from the recent philosophers about modern science if he wanted to be a unique scientist. He used to study Agrippa and Paracelsus who explained about magic and religion that made a person have unlimited powers and be like God. He even did not take care of himself and was ill most of the time. He did not even get a chance to visit his family when he was at the university because he was carried away with his discoveries.
This quest made him not only seek knowledge but want power. His desires grew every day and his searches made him find out that he can create life out of unliving matters. This discovery made him feel very superior and that if his invention could not be that successful at least it would be a starting point to other scientists. He ended up creating a monster who had intelligence just like any other human being. He thought to himself that he was creating a human being that could have beautiful features and his work will be praised but unfortunately, he created a monster that people feared, committed several murders, and made his life unworthy of living. His creation was not just a thing to praise but it threatened humanity in different ways. The fact that he wanted to play “God” and the lust for fame and praise, in creating a life for a non-living being made him miserable and his actions led to great consequences.
I do not entirely blame the monster for his actions because you do not blame the chemicals when the reaction is wrong. The person to blame for a wrong reaction is the chemist because they are the ones who combined the chemicals (Blanchard, 2017). I also do not say that the monster is innocent because Victor created a creature that had intelligence and knowledge similar to all human beings. The monster wanted a normal life just as everyone else but he says, “I will keep no terms with my enemies. I am miserable, and they shall share my wretchedness.” (Pg 115). He explained this because no one wanted to associate with him even when he was trying to help the drowning child, he was short on the shoulder. This made him grow hatred as he learned that from other human beings as no one showed him affection and love.
The monster only wanted one wish from his creator and that is to create him a companion of whom he vowed to stay away from humanity and to never return. Just as Adam was turned out in the Garden of Eden so was the monster from humanity but because of different reasons. Adam was chased because he sinned but the monster could not associate with human beings. He wanted someone who resembles him to reduce the loneliness he was feeling. The idea made the monster dangerous because he secretly spied on Victor and would threaten him if he did not meet the request. Not only that, but he also started killing Victor’s loved ones as a form of threat to him. This made Victor’s health worsen and it made the monster have more hatred towards humanity. The created creature that was supposed to be an art of creation became a horrible creation. Victor regrated every bit of his invention because he lost his loved ones. After all, the monster was endangering humanity and did not have free will on anything.
Victors’ actions resemble Satan’s actions in the book of Paradise Lost. We can see that Victor is suffering from the actions of wanting to play the role of God to create a universe. His actions did not go as he expected because he instead created a monster. This tale resembles how Satan did not appreciate his maker. He instead wanted to be God and was punished severely for his actions. Victor’s thoughts on creating a being would make him superior and the being will worship him because he was his maker. He expected not only praise from his being but also others, because of his invention. Victor realizes by saying, “I, a miserable wretch, haunted by a curse that shut up every avenue to enjoyment.” (Pg 187). He said this because he felt that he has now become miserable because of not following his fathers’ decision and creating a monster that is now tormenting his life.
The monster had no right, however, to kill because of anger. He had a sound mind and knowledge hence his actions had to have consequences. Although Victor decided not to create a companion for the monster, he would have destroyed him to prevent any more damage to society. The monster could have been made extinct and to be a warning to any other scientist who wanted to create another being that they were not sure of. The monster made his life miserable too by threatening its maker rather than pleasing him and not committing all the murders so that he could be accepted in the world
In conclusion, we should not only consider what we feel or how we view things from our perspective. We should consider other peoples’ feelings and wants, and how adversely they may affect them. Desires and powers should not be a reason to make a move because in most cases, they lead to adverse damage. All in all the achievement of man is not playing God but the efforts he makes by making the world a better place. Inventions like making machines to simplify work are best rather than creating life from non-living things. We should be responsible for one another.
REFERENCES
Shelley, M. Frankenstein. Retrieved 18 March 2022, from https://docs.google.com/viewer?a=v&pid=sites&srcid=c3R1ZGVudC5iY3Nkbnkub3JnfG1yLWFsYmFuby1ob21lcGFnZXxneDo2MTYzNDAyY2ZjMmM1Y2Uz
Retrieved 18 March 2022, from https://www.jstor.org/stable/1769997?seq=1.
Bouboulis, Yiannis. 2017. https://pcintrolitspring2017.wordpress.com/2017/04/30/the-effect-of-cornelius-agrippa-in-frankenstein/.
Blanchard, Laura. 2017. https://blogs.baylor.edu/britlit/2017/03/23/responsibility-victor-or-his-creation/.
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