Dangerous Knowledge In Mary Shelley's Frankenstein

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In her book entitled “Frankenstein”, Mary Shelley strongly opposes the progress enriched by the Industrial Age in the nineteenth century and develops her argument throughout it to show the consequences led by the thirst for knowledge and discoveries. She demonstrates a person can dramatically change due to the danger he is exposed when questioning supernatural forces and experimenting with science, which may play an enormous role on the moral, ethical, and religious aspects of his life later on. With this intention, Shelley portrays the three main characters: Robert Walton, Victor Frankenstein, and the creature to exhibit the theme of dangerous knowledge that becomes more observable as the story is progressing. At first she studies their desires …show more content…

Walton, reaching the shores of the unexplored world, finds Victor, who begins on telling his story of why he is all alone in this frightening place. Frankenstein reveals his long time comprehensive interest in the scientific field by always wanting to learn, experiment, and expand his knowledge on the forces beyond his control as he “delighted in investigating the facts relative to the actual world” (Shelley, 39) and “desired to discover” (Shelley, 39). Shelly purposely chooses the words to imply that Victor loves to explore the unexplored and is unaware of the possible consequences it might lead for him in the future; therefore, Victor strongly believes in science and progress, so he can be classified as an Enlightenment man. Furthermore, the author uses an imagery of gothic elements and connects it to the discoveries. The author’s use of words “violent and terrible thunder-storm”, “thunder burst”, and “frightful loudness from various quarters of heavens” are significant because they picture a mysterious, peculiar occurrences that connect to phrases such as “watching its progress with curiosity and delight” and “I never beheld anything so utterly destroyed” (Shelley, 47) to create a sense that scientific progress is eventually destructive and catastrophic. Victor’s character changes after he finishes his work of creating a perfect human being as he says, “ I had

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