Mary Shelley was a brilliant thinker who lived among people who valued the pursuit of knowledge, including her husband, Percy Bysshe Shelley. In her novel “Frankenstein,” she delves into the theme of seeking knowledge through the experiences of different characters, each with their own motivations. Walton, Victor Frankenstein, and the creature he creates are all on personal journeys to uncover knowledge. Walton is an explorer of the seas, Victor makes a groundbreaking scientific discovery by creating life, and the creature seeks to understand what it means to be human in his quest for acceptance.
Victor Frankenstein is driven by a desire to break the boundaries between life and death. He wants to uncover what he calls the “secrets of heaven and earth,” focusing his studies on chemistry and natural philosophy. His ultimate aim is to gain god-like power by learning how to create life. Inspired by witnessing lightning destroy an oak tree, Victor becomes fascinated with the power of electricity. However, by the end of his life, he is physically, mentally, and spiritually devastated. He describes himself as a “blasted tree,” feeling as though a bolt of lightning has struck his soul, leaving him a “miserable spectacle of wretched humanity.”
Victor’s obsession with defying nature’s laws and creating a living being from dead body parts isolates him from the world. He becomes so consumed by his work that he neglects the beauty of nature around him. He says, “Winter, spring, and summer passed away during my labors, but I did not watch the blossoms or the expanding leaves—sights which before always yielded me supreme delight.” Victor is not content with simply understanding nature; he wants to dominate and change its laws. Although he gains knowledge, he pays a heavy price. He confesses to Walton, “All my speculations and hopes are as nothing, and like the Archangel who aspired to omnipotence, I am chained in an eternal hell.”
Victor’s reference to the Archangel Satan from Milton’s “Paradise Lost” highlights his tragic downfall. Like Satan, who rebelled against God in his quest for ultimate power, Victor’s ambition leads to his own downfall. Satan’s punishment was exile from heaven, and similarly, Victor is banished from his own personal heaven—his loved ones and the happy life he once knew before his scientific endeavors.
Mary Shelley’s “Frankenstein” serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of unchecked ambition and the relentless pursuit of knowledge. Through Victor’s story, Shelley explores the idea that seeking power and knowledge without considering the consequences can lead to isolation and destruction. The novel invites readers to reflect on the ethical implications of scientific advancement and the importance of balancing curiosity with responsibility.
Engage in a classroom debate about the ethical implications of scientific discovery. Divide into two groups: one supporting Victor Frankenstein’s pursuit of knowledge and the other opposing it. Use evidence from the novel to support your arguments, and consider modern parallels in scientific research.
Write a letter from the perspective of the creature to Victor Frankenstein. Express the creature’s feelings about his creation and his quest for knowledge and acceptance. Reflect on how these themes relate to the broader human experience.
Research the historical and scientific context during Mary Shelley’s time. Create a presentation on how the scientific discoveries of the early 19th century influenced the themes in “Frankenstein.” Consider the impact of electricity and natural philosophy on the novel.
Create an art piece that represents the themes of ambition and the pursuit of knowledge in “Frankenstein.” Use any medium you prefer, such as drawing, painting, or digital art. Present your artwork to the class and explain how it captures the novel’s themes.
In small groups, discuss modern stories or films that explore themes similar to those in “Frankenstein,” such as the consequences of unchecked ambition or the ethical dilemmas of scientific advancement. Share your findings with the class and draw parallels to Shelley’s novel.
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[Music] Mary Shelley was an intellectual who lived among people for whom the pursuit of knowledge was a way of life, including her husband, Percy Bysshe Shelley. In “Frankenstein,” she explores the pursuit of knowledge through various characters and their different motives. Walton, Victor, and the monster are each engaged in their own personal quests for knowledge. Walton is a maritime explorer, Victor makes a scientific breakthrough in creating life, and the monster, in his quest for acceptance, is trying to discover what makes us human.
[Music] “Life and death appeared to me ideal bounds which I should first break through and pour a torrent of light into our dark worlds.” In the quest to acquire what he calls the secrets of heaven and earth, Victor Frankenstein pursues different paths of knowledge and finally focuses on chemistry and natural philosophy. His goal is to achieve god-like power by discovering how to create life. When he witnesses lightning destroy an oak tree, Frankenstein is inspired to investigate the power and potential of electricity. At the end of his life, physically, mentally, and spiritually destroyed, he describes himself as a “blasted tree.” “The bolt has entered my soul, and I felt then that I should survive to exhibit what I shall soon cease to be: a miserable spectacle of wretched humanity, pitiable to others and intolerable to myself.”
[Music] Frankenstein’s obsession with overturning nature’s laws and creating a living being from the body parts of the dead alienates him. “Winter, spring, and summer passed away during my labors, but I did not watch the blossoms or the expanding leaves—sights which before always yielded me supreme delight. So deeply was I engrossed in my occupation.” Not satisfied with merely understanding nature, he wants to master it and change its laws. He gains knowledge but pays a high price for it. He tells Walton, “All my speculations and hopes are as nothing, and like the Archangel who aspired to omnipotence, I am chained in an eternal hell.” Victor is referring to the Archangel Satan, who rebelled against God in Milton’s “Paradise Lost.” Satan wanted omnipotence—to be all-powerful like God. The punishment for his ambition was exile from heaven. Frankenstein is also banished from heaven, represented by his loved ones and the idyllic, happy life that preceded his scientific quest.
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This version maintains the essence of the original content while ensuring clarity and coherence.
Knowledge – The awareness or understanding of information, facts, or principles acquired through experience or education. – In Mary Shelley’s “Frankenstein,” Victor’s pursuit of forbidden knowledge ultimately leads to his downfall.
Ambition – A strong desire to achieve something, typically requiring determination and hard work. – Macbeth’s unchecked ambition drives him to commit regicide, leading to his eventual ruin.
Nature – The inherent qualities or characteristics of something, often referring to the physical world or the essence of beings. – In Romantic literature, nature is often depicted as a source of inspiration and solace for the human spirit.
Isolation – The state of being separated from others, often leading to feelings of loneliness or alienation. – The theme of isolation is prevalent in Emily Dickinson’s poetry, reflecting her reclusive lifestyle.
Consequences – The results or effects of an action or decision, often highlighting the moral or ethical implications. – In “Crime and Punishment,” Raskolnikov faces the dire consequences of his actions, which lead to his psychological torment.
Humanity – The quality of being humane; the collective human race or the characteristics that define human beings. – In “To Kill a Mockingbird,” Atticus Finch embodies the best of humanity through his empathy and moral integrity.
Power – The ability or capacity to influence or control others, often explored in terms of authority or dominance. – George Orwell’s “1984” examines the corrupting influence of absolute power in a totalitarian regime.
Ethics – The moral principles that govern a person’s behavior or the conducting of an activity. – In “The Brothers Karamazov,” Dostoevsky delves into complex ethical dilemmas faced by his characters.
Curiosity – A strong desire to know or learn something, often driving exploration and discovery. – In “Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland,” Alice’s curiosity leads her into a fantastical world full of peculiar characters.
Philosophy – The study of fundamental questions about existence, knowledge, values, reason, and language. – Plato’s “Republic” is a seminal work in Western philosophy, exploring the nature of justice and the ideal state.
