Transcript Annika Jonathan Kaitlin PP Per. 2

Frankenstein
by Mary Shelley
The Pursuit of Knowledge
Goals, Desires, Purpose, and
Aspirations
By Jonathon Barsky, Kaitlin Skopec, and Annika
Carlson - Period 2
The Pursuit of Knowledge
Robert Walton
"One man's life or death were but a small price to pay for
the acquirement of the knowledge which I sought, for the
dominion I should acquire and transmit over the elemental
foes of our race." - Robert Walton, Letter IV
This quotation poses the question of the price that we are willing
to pay for knowledge. In the beginning of his "quest",
Frankenstein would have agreed with Walton's statement.
However, as Frankenstein's remorse later demonstrates, all lives
have intrinsic value, which cannot be quantified into some
nebulous amount of information.
Dr. Frankenstein
"Whence, I often asked myself, did the principle of life proceed? It was a bold question,
and one which has ever been considered a mystery; yet with how many things are we
upon the brink of becoming acquainted, if cowardice or carelessness did not restrain
these inquiries." - Victor Frankenstein, Ch. 4
This quotation reflects the indecision that pervades the process of scientific discovery.
Frankenstein asserts that fear is a factor in the scientific process, instead of the result. This naive
viewpoint represents the voices of those that were criticized during Shelley's lifetime as taking
science too far. The fear of knowledge’s result is parallel with that of science at the time, a fear
for what the results could change.
"This sentiment of the worth of my nature supported me when others would have been
oppressed, for I deemed it criminal to throw away in useless grief those talents that might
be useful to my fellow creatures." Victor Frankenstein, speaking to Robert Walton, Ch. 24
This quotation is a testament to the determination of humanity. Despite Frankenstein's excessive
pride, he still had good intentions in conducting his experiments. He was initially willing to accept
the risks of his actions. Even though the result of his actions was bad, this can be explained due
to a series of circumstances beyond Frankenstein's control. If the Creature had been shown
kindness, Frankenstein's toils might have produced a better result. A question that science must
still struggle with is whether the ends justify the means. Despite the result of the scientific
experiment, the question of if it parallels with the pursuit of knowledge- is it worth it even if the
result isn’t what is hoped for?
The Creature
"I cannot describe the agony that these reflections inflicted
upon me; I tried to dispel them, but sorrow only increased
with knowledge. Oh, that I had forever remained in my
native wood, nor known nor felt beyond the sensations of
hunger, thirst, and heat!" - The Creature, Ch. 13
This quotation emphasizes the idea that more knowledge does
not have to equate with improvement. Going back to the
metaphor comparing the Creature to Adam, Adam was forced to
leave paradise after eating from the Tree of Knowledge.
Similarly, the gains that come from knowledge are accompanied
by a loss of innocence and the consequences that follow.
Shelley depicts how knowledge and truth of the world adds
sorrow, whereas naiveté creates relative happiness.
The Pursuit of Knowledge
•
Shelley depicts the dangers of knowledge throughout Frankenstein.
By comparing the pursuit for knowledge to the original sin, Shelley
concludes that with innocence comes a relative sense of
contentment, and with knowledge comes sorrow. The Creature is a
direct symbol for the pursuit of knowledge, for his naiveté and
psychological well-being at his origin is then juxtaposed to his
torment and struggles as he learns more about human nature and
society. Furthermore, Shelley demonstrates the obsession of
curiosity in human nature with the characters of Frankenstein and
Walton. Frankenstein portrays a bleak outlook on the fall of mankind
and the natures of men- for the pursuit of knowledge in almost all
cases leads to destruction and sorrow. In addition, each character in
Frankenstein cannot escape their innate curiosity and thirst for
power in knowledge. Man cannot escape the lure of the apple.
Goals, Desires, Purpose,
and Aspirations.
Robert Walton
"My life might have been passed in ease and luxury, but I preferred glory to every
enticement that wealth placed in my path." - Robert Walton, Letter I
This quotation examines the motivation behind a person's actions. Based on the events
of the story, knowledge is most often pursued by people that are chasing glory. While
waiting for others to make discoveries is not portrayed as negative, those individuals do
lose the opportunity to reap the rewards.
"I feel my heart glow with an enthusiasm which elevates me to heaven; for nothing
contributes so much to tranquillize the mind as a steady purpose-a point on which the
soul may fix its intellectual eye."- Robert Walton, Letter I
Walton articulates his strong sense of purpose and goals. As he describes his will to
pursue his purpose, Shelley demonstrates how powerful human nature gravitates to a
sense of purpose. In addition, she relates the sense of a purpose to higher religious
power. This correlation not only fuses Walton’s thirst for discovery and purpose with a
religious connotation, but it offers an equilibrium between the two.
Robert Walton (continued)
"The die is cast; I have consented to return if we are not destroyed. Thus are my
hopes blasted by cowardice and indecision; I come back ignorant and
disappointed." - Robert Walton, Ch. 24
In this quotation, Walton shows his frustration with his apparent failure in his
exploration. However, Walton is only concerned with the failure of his goal. The
crew is the embodiment of pragmatism. While Frankenstein had no checks on
his desires, the crew were able to prevent Walton's obsession from leading them
to disaster.
“How all this will terminate I know not; but I had rather die than return
shamefully- my purpose unfulfilled.” – Robert Walton, Walton, In Continuation
Walton’s powerful desire to complete his goal sets an example for readers to
never give up. However, Shelley poses the question of what is worth dying for
once again. Walton’s heavy reliance on pursuing his dream compromises not
only his life, but the lives of his crew too. Shelley illustrates the dangerous effect
hubris has on the obsession with completing a purpose.
Dr. Frankenstein
"I had worked hard for nearly two years, for the sole purpose of infusing life into an inanimate
body. For this, I had deprived myself of rest and health. I had desired it with an ardor that far
exceeded moderation ..." - Victor Frankenstein, Ch. 5
This quotation is a warning against obsession. The fact that Frankenstein neglected other aspects
of his life for his experiments with creation shows that he became too involved in his work. If he
had undertaken the same experiment with a smaller abundance of enthusiasm, he might have
been less frustrated with the outcome. He could have even seen fit to stop or, at least, proceed
with a greater degree of caution. Obsession is able to overwhelm the checks that restraint might
otherwise place on our actions.
"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." - Victor Frankenstein,
speaking to Robert Walton, Letter IV
This quotation demonstrates Frankenstein's attempt to warn Walton of the dangers inherent in
the pursuit of ambitious goals. As we later learned, Frankenstein suffered because he tried to
move past what the scientific community thought was possible at the time. This overstretch was
the flaw in Frankenstein's plans for scientific fame and success.
Dr. Frankenstein
(continued)
•
•
“Be men, or be more than men. Be steady to your purposes and firm
as a rock. This ice is not made of such stuff as your hearts may be; it
is mutable and cannot withstand you if you say that it shall not.”Frankenstein to Walton, Walton In Continuation
Frankenstein's strong advice to Walton suggests that men
are men because of their conviction to purpose and strength.
However, Frankenstein ‘s life is tormented by his dream to
create life and his goal to get revenge. Shelley uses
Frankenstein as an example to illustrate how courage is not
only defined by being “as firm as a rock” for sometimes the
admirable thing would to have the insight to re-examine
one’s purpose without hubris.
The Creature
•
•
"I had been accustomed, during the night, to steal a part of
their store for my own consumption, but when I found that in
doing this I inflicted pain on the cottagers, I abstained and
satisfied myself with berries, nuts, and roots which I
gathered from a neighboring wood." - The Creature, Ch. 12
As the creature sacrifices his food intake for the well-being
and happiness of the De Laceys, the creature shows a
respectable equilibrium between his goals to survive and
prospure and his goal to assimilate into society by making
friends. Shelley juxtaposes the Creature’s pursuit of his
goals to Frankenstein and Walton for he is still innocent and
lacks hubris as the latter two do not.
Goals, Desires, Purpose,
and Aspirations
•
Shelley demonstrates the power of hubris and how
goals and desires can ultimately lead to destruction
as characters become obsessed with fulfilling their
roles as men and not backing down for any reason.
Although Shelley’s characters never give up which
might seem courageous, they compromise their
sanity and benevolence as a goal becomes divine in
their mind. Frankenstein teaches readers that an
equilibrium of self-awareness and drive must be
maintained in order to succeed.