Critique Of Science In Frankenstein

Many people may find horror in the idea of reanimating the dead and creating life from it, possibly because it disrespects the dead or reverses the natural order of the cessation of all living things. In Frankenstein, Victor Frankenstein discovers a scientific method to achieve this “unnatural” goal, and creates a monstrous being whose existence evokes a sense of terror and disgust from its creator. This outcome then leads to the supposed destruction of Victor, and the tale may serve as a cautionary warning to those who undergo scientific and technological pursuits that go against nature, like creating life from the dead. However, Mary Shelley’s writing does not seem to indicate a critique of science or the making of the Creature, but rather …show more content…
In his narrative, and even in the following encounters Victor and Walton have with him, he is shown as a complex being with great capacities, such as intellect, eloquence, and sensitivity. He is prone to great love, empathy and compassion (as shown with towards the cottagers), as well as fear, rage and violence towards those who have wronged him (like Victor), displaying a humanity like any other person. Therefore, what drives the Creature towards his malevolent intentions and awful acts he commits is the experience of neglect, the knowledge of Victor’s hatred from the letters and encounters, and society’s dejection of his capabilities and humanity. By failing to care for, empathize with, and regard the Creature as a human being rather than a science experiment gone wrong, Victor generates tragedies for which he blames the existence of the being (because of him), instead of his disregard for its well-being in the very beginning of its life. Psychologically, the neglect of a parent towards their child early on results in problematic behavior later in life. Since Shelley equates the development of the Creature to that of a human infant/child, albeit extremely, and Victor to his originator, the initial disregard Victor has for the Creature just after it has been brought to life results in a lack of understanding