By Alex, Kassie, and
Robert
 Frankenstein
is in one sense the literary
manifestation of an entire population’s fear
of scientific advancement. The novel serves
both as a reflection of present times and a
warning for the future. However, in another
sense Shelley doesn’t condemn science
itself, but rather the abuse and misuse of it
by ignorant or irresponsible individuals.
Either way, Frankenstein would warn us to
proceed with caution as we continue to
discover and to create.
“A new light seemed to dawn upon my mind, and bounding with
joy, I communicated my discovery to my father. My father looked
carelessly at the title page of my book and said, "Ah! Cornelius
Agrippa! My dear Victor, do not waste your time upon this; it is sad
trash..." Volume 2 Chapter 6
 Dr.
Frankenstein’s childish want for rebellion
spurs him on to study science. Dr.
Frankenstein later points out that this was a
major turning point in his life for if his father
had simply said the book was good, he would
not have been so adamant in pursuing
science. It seems that the rebellious birth of
Dr. Frankenstein’s pursuit of knowledge
rightly begins an unfulfilling pursuit. Further,
Dr. Frankenstein realizes if he only listened to
his father (the right thing to do) he could have
likely avoided his terrible fate.

“"The ancient teachers of this science," said he, "promised impossibilities
and performed nothing. The modern masters promise very little; they
know that metals cannot be transmuted and that the elixir of life is a
chimera but these philosophers, whose hands seem only made to dabble
in dirt, and their eyes to pore over the microscope or crucible, have
indeed performed miracles. They penetrate into the recesses of nature
and show how she works in her hiding-places. They ascend into the
heavens; they have discovered how the blood circulates, and the nature of
the air we breathe. 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” (volume 3 chapter 4)
 This
professor of
Victor’s gives him a way
to see scientific inquiry
as stemming from older
traditions. This respect
for the old combined
with an interest in the
new is what allows
Victor to go forward in
his scientific
explorations.
 “It
was the secrets of heaven and earth
that I desired to learn”
 “You seek for knowledge and wisdom as
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.”
 Looking
at these quotes in the sense of
cause and effect almost seems
contradictory. Today, knowledge is almost
universally aspired for.
 The more knowledge we as society can
obtain the more we believe we can heal and
better ourselves.
 However, in Frankenstein this pursuit of
knowledge is sinful. Possibly we should
leave our knowledge of the world to faith
and not aspire to understand the Heavens
but simply trust in them.
 Or
maybe it is not if we aspire for
knowledge but just how.
 Frankenstein numerous times seems ill
prepared for what is it he’ll do after he
creates the creature. Even immediately after
he creates the monster he regrets an
outcome he was not prepared for.
 It seems Shelley’s novel warns that not
understanding the capabilities of
knowledge or the possibilities of outcomes
we can create but not control can be
catastrophic.
It seems today we could heed
Frankenstein’s warning, as we much like Dr.
Frankenstein have the capability of creating
our own destruction.
“Everywhere I see bliss, from which I alone
am irrevocably excluded”
“I beheld the wretch—the miserable
monster whom I had created”
 It
is notable that at the beginning of the
novel, Frankenstein is seen as horrific
however this is ironic because at birth,
humans are seen as innocent and pure.
 EX: "..we are unfashioned creatures, but half
made up, if one wiser, better, dearer than
ourselves -- such a friend ought to be -- do
not lend his aid to perfectionate our weak
and faulty natures." pg. 13 Letter 4
Another message that is seen throughout the
novel is that a person should not question God’s
power and authority because it is simply not our
place as humans. Humanity in general is seen as
flawed (evil) and God is seen as the all mighty
figure (good) and this hints that one should not
question this like Sr. Frankenstein did.
 EX: "The fallen angel becomes a malignant devil.
Yet even that enemy of God and man had friends
and associates in his desolation; I am alone"



The notion that Victor Frankenstein sought out to destroy
death and create an alternate to life enables the reader to
see another of Mary Shelley’s key messages. She suggests
that god will turn against those who go against God’s will
and natural order. God is going against Victor Frankenstein
and plans to destroy him or anybody else that goes against
his will or the natural way of life. This serves as a warning
against playing god.
EX: “CURSED, CURSED, CREATOR! Why did I live? Why in
that instant, did I not extinguish the spark of existence which
you had wantonly bestowed?” Dr. Frankenstein pg. 116
Chapter 16
The reader sympathizes with Victor Frankenstein
because it is natural for humans to forgive.
Though the monster sinned, the reader sees that
Frankenstein actually had good intentions to cure
the human race of death. However, the reader
sees that the monster is in turn not evil under his
horrible appearance but an innocent and
childlike creature.
 EX: “When I looked around I saw and heard of
none like me. Was I, a monster, a blot upon the
earth from which all men fled and whom all men
disowned?” The Monster pg.99 Chapter 13
