Frankenstein Knowledge Theme Essay

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The development of one’s education is always factored into everyone’s journey through life for it holds a great promise of power, discernment and in some instances even the outside control over others experiences and fates. The theme of knowledge repeats itself with several different motives throughout Mary Shelley's Frankenstein. This theme ultimately touches on the subjects of control, sorrows and factors into the fate of oneself. By examining the novel through the characters of Victor Frankenstein, the creature, Walton and their experiences, it is evident how knowledge represents power.
First of all, knowledge can be a guiding principle for one to meet their fate. Walton was determined that his fate was to take a step on land that no man …show more content…

I cannot lead them unwillingly to danger, and I must return” (Shelley 294). This displays how through hearing the sorrows that Victor felt from his pursuit of knowledge, that Walton did not want to fall into the same grievance. Therefore, he decided that returning home to where he can find consolation is the brightest thing to do, as he would avoid the risk of death. Therefore, knowledge shifted his fate from becoming honoured for his discoveries, to returning home as a miserable man. Additionally, Victor’s ambition to uncover the secrets of life, ultimately led to his death. The creature, a product of Victor’s knowledge, ensured that Victor lived a life full of grief and he accomplished it by murdering Victor’s loved ones. When VIctor reflected back on his life he thought, “I was cursed by some devil and carried about with me my eternal hell” (Shelley 276). In reality, he brought this spoken curse upon himself by uncovering the secrets of science. The fact that they are secrets suggests that they are forbidden, and therefore Victor was constructing his fate when he uncovered this dangerous …show more content…

After his experimentation with creating life, Victor grew to be mentally and physically exhausted: “my cheek had grown pale with study, and my person had become emaciated with confinement” (Shelley 62). Before his studies, Victor was a content and social being. However, the more knowledge he gained, the further he plummeted into a concealed and obsessive state. He had abandoned his family and absorbed himself while pursuing his desires. Not only did the pursuit of knowledge make Victor miserable, but it physically affected him, proving that knowledge is powerful and dangerous. Secondly, the creatures experiences and new understanding eventually led to extreme frustration. When learning from the books he discovered in the Delacey’s cottage he exclaimed that, “the possession of these treasures gave me extreme delight’ I now continually studied and exercised my mind upon these histories” (Shelley 88). What the creature thought once gave him delight, actually ended up filling him with agonizing pain and rage. He was continuously ignored despite knowing how to converse and was denied a desired companion from Victor. This lead him to commit evil acts, however they were not those of an evil creature, because he was instantly remorseful. The knowledge of his wrongdoing tortured him causing him to live with immense agony. Finally, on

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