Dangerous Knowledge - Frankenstein Essay examples

Chakari Monsanto 12.6.12 AP Literature Frankenstein Dangerous Knowledge From the beginning of time until now the limitless pursuit of knowledge reveals man’s weakness. Modern society provides humans with a wide variety of sources on how to gain knowledge, both good and evil. The thirst for forbidden knowledge beyond what man can essentially handle, causes a tragic life. The protagonist in the novel Frankenstein by Mary Shelley exemplifies the behavior of the ideal man grasping for more knowledge than he can truly bare; in turn this knowledge becomes tarnished. Shelley eludes to the Greek myth of Prometheus allowing the reader to delve deeper into the general theme that those who pursue an insatiable desire for knowledge, if not tamed,†¦show more content†¦When people received the fire they were amazed by its benefit – it made preparing food faster, brought warmth in a cold area, and illuminated the darkness. The attributes of fire made survival easier for the people until the usage of it became uncontrollable. They found out that f ire, when left unkempt, spreads and destroys everything in its path. As time went on people recognized the great power of fire and harassed it to do evil instead of good. People used fire to start wars, demolish forests, and burn others alive. The fact that everyone knew how to start a fire but could not stop it, proves that it should have been left with the immortals. Prometheus’ theft of fire for man irritated Zeus not only because he disliked the people but also because it gave the people the same power and knowledge as the gods. Zeus punished Prometheus for giving fire to the people by tying him to a rock and allowed a vulture to eat out his liver everyday for the rest of his life. Victor Frankenstein, also known as the modern Prometheus according to Shelley, holds a similar yet different story and fate as Prometheus. While Prometheus only wanted to correct his brother’s mistake in making a superior race of man, Victor wants to understand â€Å"the secrets of heaven and earth† in order to elevate himself to a godlike status (Shelley, 30). He decides that he will create â€Å"a new species† which â€Å"would owe their being to† him and give him theShow MoreRelatedFrankenstein: the Dangerous Pursuit of Knowledge1552 Words   |  7 PagesDanielle Bouquio ENG 210 10/16/12 Frankenstein: The Dangerous Pursuit of Knowledge Over the past few centuries, the intellectuals of society have made countless advances in science and the development of technology, which, to different degrees, have all benefitted mankind. These scientific discoveries are a result of man’s thirst for and dedication to acquiring knowledge, information, and power. The innate curiosity and desire for understanding in an individual can grow so immense that hisRead MoreDangerous Knowledge in Frankenstein by Mary Shelley1074 Words   |  5 PagesFrankenstein is a book written by Mary Shelley in 1818, that is revolved around a under privileged scientist named Victor Frankenstein who manages to create a unnatural human-like being. The story was written when Shelley was in her late teen age years, and was published when she was just twenty years old. Frankenstein is filled with several different elements of the Gothic and Romantic Movement of British literature, and is considered to be one of the earliest forms of science fiction. FrankensteinRead MoreMoral Lessons in Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein1322 Words   |  5 Pages Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein has become a classic in modern literature. Her tale is full of moral lessons that encompass a wide variety of subjects but one of the most prevalent is the theme of knowledge and its pursuit. Frankenstein, Walton, and the Monster all have an appetite for acquiring knowledge and actively pursue their perspective interests, but it soon turns to the obsessive and proves to be dangerous. Each of the character’s desires demonstrates to be detrimental to them when no boundariesRead MoreDangers of Acquiring Knowledge Illustrated in Mary Shelly’s Frankenstein1075 Words   |  5 PagesHow Dangerous is the Acquirement of Knowledge? Mary Shelly’s Frankenstein Although Mary Shelly did not have a formal education growing up motherless in the early nineteenth century, she wrote one of the greatest novels nonetheless in 1819, Frankenstein. The novel has been the basis for many motion picture movies along with many English class discussions. Within the novel Shelly shares the stories of two men from very different worlds. The reader is introduced to Robert Walton, the main narratorRead More Human Limitations Exceeded, in Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein799 Words   |  3 Pages Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein investigates the idea of knowledge, and the dangers that may occur during the inquiry of these ideas. The novel shows Mary Shelley’s outlooks towards science by mimicking it as having the ability to exceed the boundaries of human limitation. The acquirement of dangerous knowledge is detrimental because it can be used for negative purposes such as nuclear weapons, genetic modification, and unethical medical research. Victor Frankenstein is used as the main symbol thatRead MoreShelley s Views Of The Dangers Of Knowledge1679 Words   |  7 Pagesdangers of knowledge contained in her novel Frankenstein â€Å"You seek for knowledge and wisdom, as I once did; and I ardently hope that the gratification of your wishes not be a serpent to sting you, as mine had been,† this fragment of Victor Frankenstein’s conversations with Robert Walton exemplifies Mary Shelley’s views of the dangers of knowledge, in her novel, â€Å"Frankenstein; or, The Modern Prometheus,† where main characters Robert Walton and Victor Frankenstein ruthlessly peruse knowledge. The themeRead MoreThe Pursuit of Knowledge Can Be Dangerous Essay1019 Words   |  5 PagesThroughout Frankenstein it is evident that Victor and Robert express their thirst for knowledge, which often leads to destruction. Through analyzing Frankenstein it is possible to find many examples that illustrate the fact that wanting to have more knowledge can be extremely dangerous. Firstly, as Victor is creating life he is able to create a humanoid monster, unfortunately he is appalled by his creation and becomes very i ll. Afterwards, when Victor is completing the female companion for his originalRead MoreFrankenstein, By Mary Shelley902 Words   |  4 Pageslikely served as an outlet for those thoughts, helping her put things into perspective and not get beyond herself into a state of insanity. In the book’s introduction, we are presented with a quote by Shelley that describes a vision that inspired Frankenstein and her first image of what would eventually become Victor and the monster. â€Å"I saw-with shut eyes, but acute mental vision-I saw the pale student of unhallowed arts kneeling beside the thing he had put together. I saw the hideous phantasm of aRead MoreAnalysis Of Mary Shelley s Frankenstein1272 Words   |  6 PagesCritical Response Mary Shelley s gothic romance novel Frankenstein (1818) features numerous ideas and concepts that develop over the course of the story through the use of repeated and contrasting elements. The ideas and themes Shelley based the novel on were popular issues in her society at the time of writing. Themes are crucial ideas that are explored throughout a literary work. The themes present in Frankenstein included: dangerous knowledge, sublime nature, monstrosity, secrecy, and texts . MotifsRead MoreFrankenstein and Robert Walton975 Words   |  4 PagesDangerous Knowledge—An Analytical Essay on â€Å"Frankenstein† The pursuit of discovery and knowledge are thrilling aspects of human achievement, but can also be very dangerous if not handled correctly. In Mary Shelley’s â€Å"Frankenstein,† Shelley portrays these two aspects of accomplishment as dangerous, destructive, and even fateful. Shelley begins her novel with an ambitious seafarer named Robert Walton. Walton is determined to reach the North Pole, where he may â€Å"tread a land never before imprinted by