Frankenstein
Isaac Asimov once stated “the saddest aspect of life right now is that science gathers knowledge faster than society gathers wisdom.” The novel Frankenstein exemplifies the Romantic reaction to rigid Enlightenment ideal of pursuit of science and reason above morality. The Romantic period is marked by the rejection of the hard sciences and the referral to the essential truths in nature. Frankenstein was written during the early 1800’s by Mary Shelley, at the peak of the Romantic period. The main characters of the novel, Victor and Walton are all on a solitary journey in order to discover their place in the world and their reason for existence. This expedition is not only physical but mental as well. It is the examination …show more content…
He states “I had desired it [reanimation of life] with an ardor that far exceeded moderation but now that I had finished, the beauty of the dream vanished and breathless horror and disgust filled my heart” (Shelley 210). His single-minded ambition had superseded his moral judgment drove him to the creation of a monstrosity. This is the ultimate fear of the Romantic period. Due to rapid advancements in science and technology, the Romantics feared that ambition to discovery would supplant the moral obligations of humanity. Shelley uses Frankenstein’s creation as a realization of this fear. Frankenstein secludes himself for almost two years in order to create his monster. He secludes himself not only from society but also his family. This is due to his intense concentration. Alan Rauch states that “the solitude and seclusion that Frankenstein seems to require for his work [creation of the monster] can only resulting knowledge that can have neither context nor value” (233). Before its animation Frankenstein describes the creature lovingly stating “his limbs in proportion, I had selected his features as beautiful” (Shelley 210). This description is contrasted with Frankenstein’s realization of his mistake by his description of his creation after its animation; “ watery eyes, that seemed almost the same colour as the dun-white sockets in which they were set, his shriveled complexion and straight black eyes” (Shelley 210). Shelley uses this horror to reaffirm the possibilities of science. As new scientific discoveries were found rapidly, it was not known to what lengths that science could
Isaac Asimov once stated “the saddest aspect of life right now is that science gathers knowledge faster than society gathers wisdom.” The novel Frankenstein exemplifies the Romantic reaction to rigid Enlightenment ideal of pursuit of science and reason above morality. The Romantic period is marked by the rejection of the hard sciences and the referral to the essential truths in nature. Frankenstein was written during the early 1800’s by Mary Shelley, at the peak of the Romantic period. The main characters of the novel, Victor and Walton are all on a solitary journey in order to discover their place in the world and their reason for existence. This expedition is not only physical but mental as well. It is the examination …show more content…
He states “I had desired it [reanimation of life] with an ardor that far exceeded moderation but now that I had finished, the beauty of the dream vanished and breathless horror and disgust filled my heart” (Shelley 210). His single-minded ambition had superseded his moral judgment drove him to the creation of a monstrosity. This is the ultimate fear of the Romantic period. Due to rapid advancements in science and technology, the Romantics feared that ambition to discovery would supplant the moral obligations of humanity. Shelley uses Frankenstein’s creation as a realization of this fear. Frankenstein secludes himself for almost two years in order to create his monster. He secludes himself not only from society but also his family. This is due to his intense concentration. Alan Rauch states that “the solitude and seclusion that Frankenstein seems to require for his work [creation of the monster] can only resulting knowledge that can have neither context nor value” (233). Before its animation Frankenstein describes the creature lovingly stating “his limbs in proportion, I had selected his features as beautiful” (Shelley 210). This description is contrasted with Frankenstein’s realization of his mistake by his description of his creation after its animation; “ watery eyes, that seemed almost the same colour as the dun-white sockets in which they were set, his shriveled complexion and straight black eyes” (Shelley 210). Shelley uses this horror to reaffirm the possibilities of science. As new scientific discoveries were found rapidly, it was not known to what lengths that science could