The Quest for Knowledge in Mary Shelly’s Frankenstein

English poet Thomas Gray has once said, “Ignorance is bliss”. In other words, the less we know the fewer worries we have and therefore our life seems more enjoyable. Knowledge is our thoughts, ideas and information in which we depend on in order to maintain stability in life. Although ignorance can create certain disadvantages for us, knowledge is most dangerous because it allows us to search for answers while in the end, leaves us with the consequences of knowing too much. In Mary Shelly’s Frankenstein, the author uses the literary element of conflict to show how both Victor Frankenstein and the creature seek for knowledge and while they gain information, it comes back to haunt them leading them to their own downfall.

In Frankenstein, Victor Frankenstein’s quest for knowledge begins right from the beginning. He decides to leave his family and home in order to complete his studies in the field of science. We can see how parched Victor is to gain knowledge because he sacrifices his time with his family to pursue his dream. We later realize that his dream is to do the impossible and create a “being” without being God or a woman. His ego springs from his strong knowledge in science which allows Victor to exclude himself from society and attempt the unthinkable. This leads to many problems for Victor, who did in fact create a creature but is disappointed with the results. Victor wants to use his knowledge to create a perfect “being” that can see him as a creator much like people see God. But to his disbelief, the creature’s physical appearance was anything but perfect. Victor says “A mummy again endued with animation could not be so hideous as this wretch” (49). This shows that Victor clearly was not satisfied with the outcome ...

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...g ignorant and innocent to a knowledgeable murderer. In the story, the creature wanted to learn and fit into society, but that society just would not accept him. He also realizes that he should have a partner and demands it. Victor does not grant him another creation and therefore the creature takes the life of his wife. This shows that after he gains enough awareness that he is not going to be accepted by his creator or society, his actions causes mayhem. The killing of William demonstrates how once the creature understands that the boy is related to Victor, he must die. Now we can agree that the less the creature knows about his physical appearance and the little knowledge he has of what his necessities should be the safer society can be.

Works Cited

Shelley, Mary. Frankenstein: A Norton Critical Edition. ed. J. Paul Hunter. New York: W. W. Norton, 1996