Victor becomes blinded by his own self-conviction when he is on the brink of finishing the development of the creature. By this point, many argue that the isolation aspect of Shelley’s argument becomes obsolete, choosing instead to focus on Victor’s abandonment of his responsibility for his creation. Many writers, such as Theodore Ziolkowski in “Science, Frankenstein, and Myth,” make the argument that the creature becomes evil because of Victor’s abandonment: “the creature, while ugly, is by no means inherently evil… scientific discovery, according to Mary Shelley, becomes evil only when the scientist refuses to assume responsibility for his creation— that is, when he turns it loose to be acted upon by an uncomprehending society…” (Ziolkowski,
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Victor is undoubtedly responsible, but as he says himself, “Oh! No mortal could support the horror of that countenance…” (Shelley, 36). Victor is as vulnerable to society’s visual prejudices and judgments as anyone else in Shelley’s time; if he alone is confronted with his creation and makes the wrong choice regarding its existence, then he alone becomes responsible for the fate of society in the creature’s hands. Shelley’s novel is more than a commentary on the need for social responsibility from scientists regarding their inventions—it serves as a dissuasion from the pursuit of science independently, where neither morals nor ethics can be enforced or monitored. Humans, with their endless biases and personal flaws, cannot be expected to uphold society’s morals and ethics at every turn, especially when there is no encouragement to do so. It is only through a socialized approach to science, one with transparency and teamwork, that discoveries can be made that serve the interest of society instead of an individual. Although various claims that Shelley argues for social responsibility on its own are validated by the text, the focus on the detrimental effects of isolation cannot be overlooked or …show more content…
Shelley shows his remarkable transition from confident species-creator to distraught man out of his depth: “... every day shewed me more plainly how I had succeeded…” to “how can I describe my emotions at this catastrophe…” (Shelley, 35). He immediately changes his perception of the creature once it animates, despite already being familiar with its appearance; this, in turn, proves that it is the concept of caring for the “catastrophe” once it is alive, more so than its mere physical state, that terrifies Victor and causes him to flee. Victor is unable to conceivably provide for the creature in a scientific or a paternal way. Instead of confronting the reality of his situation, Victor runs from the creature and further isolates himself away—the isolation becomes a coping mechanism, and he retreats more from society instead of working to figure out how to best rectify his mistake. In this way, Victor demonstrates that isolation is a chosen state for him. He actively seeks out distance from society, both in the development of his creature and in dealing with the aftermath, and this tendency for solitude causes him to put society in
Victor is undoubtedly responsible, but as he says himself, “Oh! No mortal could support the horror of that countenance…” (Shelley, 36). Victor is as vulnerable to society’s visual prejudices and judgments as anyone else in Shelley’s time; if he alone is confronted with his creation and makes the wrong choice regarding its existence, then he alone becomes responsible for the fate of society in the creature’s hands. Shelley’s novel is more than a commentary on the need for social responsibility from scientists regarding their inventions—it serves as a dissuasion from the pursuit of science independently, where neither morals nor ethics can be enforced or monitored. Humans, with their endless biases and personal flaws, cannot be expected to uphold society’s morals and ethics at every turn, especially when there is no encouragement to do so. It is only through a socialized approach to science, one with transparency and teamwork, that discoveries can be made that serve the interest of society instead of an individual. Although various claims that Shelley argues for social responsibility on its own are validated by the text, the focus on the detrimental effects of isolation cannot be overlooked or …show more content…
Shelley shows his remarkable transition from confident species-creator to distraught man out of his depth: “... every day shewed me more plainly how I had succeeded…” to “how can I describe my emotions at this catastrophe…” (Shelley, 35). He immediately changes his perception of the creature once it animates, despite already being familiar with its appearance; this, in turn, proves that it is the concept of caring for the “catastrophe” once it is alive, more so than its mere physical state, that terrifies Victor and causes him to flee. Victor is unable to conceivably provide for the creature in a scientific or a paternal way. Instead of confronting the reality of his situation, Victor runs from the creature and further isolates himself away—the isolation becomes a coping mechanism, and he retreats more from society instead of working to figure out how to best rectify his mistake. In this way, Victor demonstrates that isolation is a chosen state for him. He actively seeks out distance from society, both in the development of his creature and in dealing with the aftermath, and this tendency for solitude causes him to put society in