“A little knowledge is a dangerous thing. So is a lot.” Albert Einstein, one of the most profound scientists in history, has been quoted saying that knowledge, no matter how much, can be dangerous. In today’s world, humans are constantly on the search for new knowledge despite the warnings they have received. The quest for knowledge is not new; in 1700 Europe, humans yearned for knowledge despite its dangers. In Frankenstein, Mary Shelley utilizes her characters’ personalities, the plot, and symbolism to express and describe the dangers of knowledge.
Throughout the novel, Shelley portrays that knowledge is dangerous through the personalities of several characters including William, Henry’s father, and Victor himself. William exhibits the innocence …show more content…
Walton, Victor, and the monster all portray the dangers they encounter during and after their quests for knowledge. Walton’s quest begins with no troubles or dangers. He writes to his sister that he is safe and all is going well (9). However, as his quest continues and he becomes closer to the knowledge he desires, he explains that the ship is surrounded by ice and he is not sure that he will make it home (10). Victor’s quest begins when he was just a young boy. He lives a happy childhood studying the books that his father had for him. He becomes a student at the university of Ingolstadt and studies happily for the first few years (31). As he continues his studies and finds the knowledge to create life from inanimate matter, he becomes mad and distraught over the deaths of his family (39). Victor becomes even more mad as he learns about the monster and his life since Victor created him (140). The monster’s quest begins when he first leaves Victor and starts life on his own (73). He slowly learns how to feed himself and once he begins to live with the DeLaceys, he learns how to talk and read. The monster also learns about relationships and becomes distressed with the knowledge that he has none, “I cannot describe to you the agony that these reflections inflicted upon me: I tried to dispel them, but sorrow only increased with knowledge” (86). The creature only becomes more distressed as he learns about the rejections by society and of his monstrous state. In all three plots, the characters become increasingly sorrowful as they gain knowledge. Shelley portrays through the plot of these characters’ stories the dangers that accompany
Throughout the novel, Shelley portrays that knowledge is dangerous through the personalities of several characters including William, Henry’s father, and Victor himself. William exhibits the innocence …show more content…
Walton, Victor, and the monster all portray the dangers they encounter during and after their quests for knowledge. Walton’s quest begins with no troubles or dangers. He writes to his sister that he is safe and all is going well (9). However, as his quest continues and he becomes closer to the knowledge he desires, he explains that the ship is surrounded by ice and he is not sure that he will make it home (10). Victor’s quest begins when he was just a young boy. He lives a happy childhood studying the books that his father had for him. He becomes a student at the university of Ingolstadt and studies happily for the first few years (31). As he continues his studies and finds the knowledge to create life from inanimate matter, he becomes mad and distraught over the deaths of his family (39). Victor becomes even more mad as he learns about the monster and his life since Victor created him (140). The monster’s quest begins when he first leaves Victor and starts life on his own (73). He slowly learns how to feed himself and once he begins to live with the DeLaceys, he learns how to talk and read. The monster also learns about relationships and becomes distressed with the knowledge that he has none, “I cannot describe to you the agony that these reflections inflicted upon me: I tried to dispel them, but sorrow only increased with knowledge” (86). The creature only becomes more distressed as he learns about the rejections by society and of his monstrous state. In all three plots, the characters become increasingly sorrowful as they gain knowledge. Shelley portrays through the plot of these characters’ stories the dangers that accompany