Frankenstein - Fear of the Power of Science - 787 Words

‘Some readers have seen the novel as an illustration of the fear of the power of science’ To what extent do you agree with this view of the novel? I agree to a certain extent with this view, because Mary Shelley wrote Frankenstein during the scientific revolution and therefore was influenced by many ideas and experiences of what science can do to you and how it can represent fear and bring about a change. Victor Frankenstein grabs hold of science and tests it boundaries as much as he can. Yet there is an element that represents his inability to do this. He comes across as if he has no true idea of consequences or outcomes for what he is doing, bringing a true element of fear forward for the reader to deal with. He is our unreliable†¦show more content†¦One true Gothic element that is portrayed in this novel is the idea of the doppelganger, and although Victor Frankenstein and the Creature look nothing alike, the Creature truly is the evil side of Frankenstein. He brings out Victor’s irresponsibility and ugliness, just like Mr Hyde brings out Dr Jekyll ugly side. The creature takes away Frankenstein’s Supe r Ego and leaves him with his Id. Therefore it may be true that Frankenstein has a focus on the fear of the power of science but I do not believe it is a true illustration of only this. So many Gothic elements come into play that sometimes this idea of the power of science can beShow MoreRelatedSome Readers Have Seen Frankenstein as an Illustration of the Fear of the Power of Science. to What Extent Do You Agree with This View Based on Your Reading so Far?1734 Words   |  7 Pagesand ethical thought challenged science and its moral reasoning. Frankenstein could be seen as an illustration of the fear of the power of science due to these social changes; however there is evidence within the text to support other aspects such as society and religion being the focal point of fear. On a basic level, it could be argued that Victor’s search for knowledge ultimately leads him to his transgressions and eventual demise; through the medium of science he is able to create a creatureRead MoreEssay on Science, Technology, and Morality in Shelleys Frankenstein1098 Words   |  5 Pages Frankenstein and Sciencenbsp;nbsp; Science is the knowledge gained by a systematic study, knowledge which then becomes facts or principles. In the systematic study; the first step is observation, the second step hypothesis, the third step experimentation to test the hypothesis, and lastly the conclusion whether or not the hypothesis holds true. These steps have been ingrained into every student of science, as the basic pathway to scientific discovery. This pathway holds not decision as toRead MoreHumanity s Fault And Strength, Ambition For The Unknown1322 Words   |  6 PagesThe answer lies in the ambition to do what no one has accomplished, either in spite of upbringing, the will to pronounce uniqueness, or to accomplish something of importance in the hopes it provides advancement for humanity. For example, the book Frankenstein expels all the wrongs that can appear from tinkering with the idea of reanimation of what once died, but now walks among us once again. Reminding us of what could happen when the question o f could it be done becomes more important instead of shouldRead MoreFrankenstein : The Way Frankenstein, And His Creation1275 Words   |  6 Pagesprevalent in Shelly’s novel is the way Frankenstein, and his creation, are controlled by their emotions. Frankenstein is continually ruled by his feelings of fear, guilt, and love throughout the novel. For instance, he works for nearly two years to accomplish his goal of creating life, only to immediately flee because of fear when his work comes to life. This was a major illustration for the reader that despite being an experienced scientist Frankenstein was still ruled by emotions. In a largeRead MoreMary Shelley s Modern Prometheus1365 Words   |  6 PagesFrankenstein was Mary Shelley’s modern Prometheus, a literary form of the forbidden flame bestowed upon the human race – the science of electricity. Yet, the story of Victor Frankenstein’s creature is not one strictly of science, or of a caution aga inst it, or of a vendetta against the popular Calvinist belief of predestination. What Victor Frankenstein, and Mary Shelley, created for the world was a story of how far a man dared go with the forbidden flame – greater natural knowledge – that was spreadingRead More The Dangers of Science in Mary Shelleys Frankenstein Essay example1019 Words   |  5 PagesThe Dangers of Science in Mary Shelleys Frankenstein Mary Shelleys novel Frankenstein cannot merely be read as a literary work of the early 19th century. It represents the workings of young Shelleys mind. Further, it represents the vast scientific discoveries of the time, combined with Mary Shelleys intuitive perception of science. She views science as a powerful entity, but also recognizes the dangers if uncontrolled. Shelley demonstrates this fear in the book as science drives Victor FrankensteinRead MoreFrankenstein: The Danger in Knowledge, Science and Playing God 1846 Words   |  7 Pagesrepresentation of the dangers of playing with science? Is he representative of the dangers of pursuing knowledge? Alternatively, does he reveal to us the dangers of playing God? Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein uses Victor Frankenstein’s creation to expose the dangers of knowledge and playing God. Shelley exposes the readers to how in the pursuit of knowledge, man too often opens Pandora’s Box and unleashes unforeseen dangers unt o the world. Shelley uses Victor Frankenstein and his creation to expose how knowledgeRead MoreSimilar Ideas Presented in Blade Runner by Ridley Scott and Frankenstein by Mary Shelley 1469 Words   |  6 Pageshundred years after Frankenstein is still able to reflect the ideas proposed in the latter. Blade Runner by Ridley Scott deals with the effects of globalisation and consumerism during 1980’s. Alternatively, the epistolary novel Frankenstein by Mary Shelley deals with the kinship to the natural world set in the Romantic Era and enlightenment period. However Blade Runner, although subjected by a different context, also portrays a similar idea to Frankenstein; the fear of science and technology coupledRead MoreThemes Of Love And Hate1443 Words   |  6 PagesLove and hate are both an occurring theme in both Romeo and Juliet by Shakespeare and Frankenstein by Mary Shelly. In this essay I will be comparing the similarities and differences of the way that the two texts por tray the feeling of love and hate. The essay will be divided into different topics that I will be comparing, these following topics will be: death, passion, betrayal and one more. Romeo and Juliet was a play that was written by the famous English poet, playwright William Shakespeare whoseRead MoreThe Maternal And Fear Of The Womb960 Words   |  4 Pages In Frankenstein, the need to abnegate the maternal and fear of the womb seems to be an inherent, even subconscious, impetus behind the scientist’s choices. Matrophobia is evident throughout the Gothic where the maternal protector is usually absent; either deceased like Madame St. Aubert in The Mysteries of Udolpho or imprisoned like Louisa Bernini in A Sicilian Romance. The mothers that continue to be present in the narrative are usually oppressed, such as Hippolita in The Castle of Otranto, or