The Pursuit of Knowledge Can Be Dangerous

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Throughout 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 ill. Afterwards, when Victor is completing the female companion for his original creation, Victor realizes that this will only create more destruction. Finally, as Walton is on a journey to the North Pole he encounters difficulties that nearly kill him and his crew. This shows that Victor and Walton are repeatedly searching for more knowledge even though it is dangerous.

Victor finds his monster absolutely repulsive, and even nauseating. This seen in the following quotation, “A mummy again endued with animation could not be so hideous as that wretch.” (Shelley 36) Dr. Frankenstein has never seen anything so horrible and soon falls ill both from the sight of it and the realization that his monster is now out in the world and it could be doing anything. This shows how his drive for knowledge to be able to create life is damaging his health both mentally and physically. Furthermore, when the monster escapes from Victor’s laboratory it stangles Victor’s brother, William Frankenstein, to death. Victor must now bear the guilt knowing that he is responsible for the death because he created the monster and allowed it to escape. He must also keep the beast a secret from everyone else for fear the he would be held responsible for his brother’s death or they will believe he has gone insane, both of which results in Vict...

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...was in the midst of creating the female monster he decided to destroy it which ultimately led to Henry’s, Elizabeth’s, and his own death. Robert Walton also made the decision to continue through the perilous terrain in search of the North Pole and for Victor’s monster. This decision endangered him and his crew as the monster could have easily killed them all. Therefore, it can be concluded that the drive for more knowledge can be extremely dangerous to one’s physical and mental strength.

Works Cited

Shelley, Mary. Frankenstein. New York: Dover Publications Inc., 1994. Print.

SparkNotes Editors. “SparkNote on Frankenstein.” SparkNotes.com. SparkNotes LLC. 2007. Web. 11 Jul. 2011.

"Frankenstein Mary Shelley." http://www.literature.org. Knowledge Matters Ltd.,

n.d. Web. 14 July 2011.
frankenstein/>.

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