Folly of Science Exposed in Shelley’s Frankenstein and E.T.A. Hoffman’s Sandman
In Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein and E.T.A. Hoffman’s Sandman, elements of science are portrayed in a negative light, warning the reader of the dangers of the unknown. Many aspects of science and technology are portrayed from alchemy and robotics in the Sandman to biology and chemistry in Frankenstein. The stories feature similar main characters that break the boundaries of conventional society in order to investigate their desires. Each story features a "living doll", or a creation of man that, while first made for good, results in evil.
When we read The Sandman, we are left in doubt as to whether what is happening to Nathaniel is real or merely in his mind. For instance, when Hoffmann introduces Olympia, he does not mention whether she is a human being or a doll; and he does so in such a way the reader may not immediately realize this. We take for granted that Olympia is a real person, because we expect Nathaniel to know the difference. During the course of the story, the Sandman as Copp...
Victor never even fathomed the actual existence of the creature, somewhat resembling an unplanned pregnancy that was never emotionally and rationally dealt with even after the actual birth of the child. He certainly did not adequately prepare himself for parenthood.
In the San Francisco Bay Area, many mysterious murders occurred which frightened many people. In the late 1960’s, the Zodiac Killer, was responsible for the victims who were murdered in his attacks. The notorious serial killer was never brought to justice, and his identity is still a mystery. The Zodiac Killer would make threats by phone calls and letters to frighten the community in Northern California. This unknown killer sent coded messages to newspapers in the Bay Area which were later on decoded and explained his motives. There has been many false theories on the identity of the Zodiac Killer,
A mixed psychopathic serial killer torments the San Francisco Bay area through several random violent killings in the 1960's and 70's while never been caught either. The intelligent serial killer also demands that the local newspapers print his vivid and detailed letters describing the horrifying facts regarding his killings. If they choose to ignore or not take him seriously, he will show them in the form of continued killings how serious he is. Leaving several clues to whoever can rise to the occasion and outsmart him, but always stays one step ahead of the authorities. The Zodiac saw himself as the hunter, but he also was thrilled with getting the chance to play the role of the hunted.
Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein is a nineteenth century literary work that delves into the world of science and the plausible outcomes of morally insensitive technological research. Although the novel brings to the forefront several issues about knowledge and sublime nature, the novel mostly explores the psychological and physical journey of two complex characters. While each character exhibits several interesting traits that range from passive and contemplative to rash and impulsive, their most attractive quality is their monstrosity. Their monstrosities, however, differ in the way each of the character’s act and respond to their environment. Throughout Frankenstein, one assumes that Frankenstein’s creation is the true monster. While the creation’s actions are indeed monstrous, one must also realize that his creator, Victor Frankenstein is also a villain. His inconsiderate and selfish acts as well as his passion for science result in the death of his friend and family members and ultimately in his own demise.
The Zodiac Killer was a serial killer from the late 60’s and early 70’s. The zodiac killer identification was never known. The Zodiac Killer was most famous for killing couples in their car at night. He started his killing spree on October 30, 1966 in San Francisco with his first victim, eighteen-year-old Cheri Jo Bates. Cheri’s throat was cut so deep it almost decapitated her. On November 29, 1966, the Riverside police received a copy of an anonymous letter in the mail. This letter taunted the police about the murder of Cheri Jo Bates and how she will not be the last. (Wilbur R. Miller, 2012) This was his way of being in control and getting his voice heard. Just a few months later he kept to his promise that there will be more death. The Zodiac killer murdered a young couple, David Faraday and Betty Jensen, in Vallejo, California. David was killed by one shot to the head and Betty was shot five times ten feet away from the car. The police suspected Arthur Leigh Allen, a child molester, who fit the description of the Zodiac Killer almost to a T, but there was no incriminating evidence, so he was never charged. The Zodiac Killer was suspected of killing 2,500 people throughout his killing spree, and was never caught. The Zodiac Killer’s reason for killing was that once he killed his victims they would be his slaves in the afterlife. He thought of himself as a “God”, all powerful and all knowing. (Wilbur R.
"The Zodiac Killer 'identified': Infamous Sixties Murderer Is a 91-year-old Man Still Living in California, Claims Author after 40-year Investigation." Mail Online. N.p., n.d. Web. 02 Dec. 2013.
Conclusion – That is a few theories about the zodiac killer. The reason this matters is because he was a famous killer who was never caught and he taunted police. If we found out his identity, it would make people stop making fake theories about who he was and it would be good for the families of the victims. Yes, I think it will get solved in the future but it will be too late because he is already dead or will be dead. What theory do you think is the most likely to be
Due to the nature of Zodiac's letters and from witnesses police have a good idea of what Zodiac is like even though he remains at large. Given what is known about serial killers in general, and Zodiac in particular, authorities estimate he was born between 1938 and 1943, making him in his mid-twenties to early thirties at the time of his first murder in 1966. The estimation is also supported by witness statements. It is common for serial killers to first begin his career around this age. (Weis)
Mary Shelley's Frankenstein and Robert Louis Stevenson's Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde are two horrific tales of science gone terribly wrong. Shelley?s novel eloquently tells the story of a scientist, Victor Frankenstein, who creates a living monster out of decomposed body parts, while Stevenson?s novel describes the account of one, Henry Jekyll, who creates a potion to bring out the pure evil side to himself. Although the two scientists differ in their initial response and action to their creations, there are strong similarities between their raging curiosity to surpass human limitation, as well as their lack of responsibility concerning their actions. These similarities raise an awareness of human limitation in the realm of science: the further the two scientists go in their experiments, the more trouble and pain they cause to themselves and to others.
With the advancement of technology and science, we are now able to genetically modify animals. Mary Shelley found a way to make science an epitome, and confirms what could happen if science is taken too far. In conclusion, Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein is considered to be a historical novel, based on scientific advancements. In this novel Shelley depicts her own definition of human nature, by showing the creature and the ways that humans react to him. The novel also showed the differences between morality and science.
The late 1960’s and early 1970’s were a time of great change in America. The Vietnam War, the civil rights movement and the sexual revolution were just some of the issues on the evening news in American households. For citizens of the San Francisco Bay area, as well as the rest of California, the late 60’s early 70’represented terror, fear and death. “The bizarre and theatrical and still unresolved serial murders by real-life ghoul who called himself Zodiac, who claimed in letters to have killed 37 people (though police have focused on five homicides and two attempted murders in the greater Bay Area in 1968 and 1969” (Booth,2) have intrigued people for nearly four decades. How has Zodiac remained so elusive? What started out as a random homicide in October 1966 turned into one of the greatest cold cases in history.
Continuing in the tradition of Jack the Ripper and Dusseldorf Vampire Peter Kurten, while foreshadowing BTK, The Zodiac Killer was factually a world-wide, unknown murderer for five or numerous more murders in the northern region of California. The Zodiac Killer, whom is a strange, semi-secretive, smart killer has gotten away with all of his sneaky activities. The Zodiac Killer gave himself the unique name, and no one knows the meaning behind it. His target was young couples in the area. It is believed and set upon arguments, that the Zodiac, was simply an individual committing all of these hatred crimes, alone. The world is still blind to the fact of knowing exactly who is it to hold
From 1890s to 1945, media played an important role to spread news and change Americans’ opinions about different events. I believe that media changed Americans ideas by exaggerating the truth, propaganda and providing information. There are some examples about how media controlled Americans’ thoughts.
Temke, M. (2006) The effects of divorce on children. University of New Hampshire publication. Web. 20 March 2015
What is the creation of Frankenstein? Firstly, it is a creature artificially created by a person from parts of the body of deceased people and remotely resembling the person himself. Secondly, this being is self-conscious, learning, developing, and also able to feel. Thinking began to appear in him almost from the very moment of its creation, self-awareness, in the process of his acquaintance with nature and the surrounding world, which he perceived categorically enough, and language. The result of his observations of the inhabitants of the hut near which he founded his home. “ By degrees, I made a discovery of still greater moment. I gaunt that those people possessed a method of communicating their experience and feelings to one another by