CAN SCIENCE OVERTAKE RELIGION?
Religion and science are the main ideas that are displayed in the novel Frankenstein. Victor created the monster for the purpose of gaining fame, fortune and for the sake of science. After the monster killed people, Victor regretted ever making the monster because of its destruction and didn't expect the monster to be the way that it was. Humans cannot play a role as God because in Frankenstein, Victor wanted to create something that he wanted in a certain way; he played the role of God. His “punishment” for acting as God, could be how the monster actually turned out to be. When God creates life, he looks after HIS creation and cares for them but Victor Frankenstein, although, was able to create a new life he was not able to take care of it as God would. Mary Shelley may be trying to prove that God can be the only one who can create life. If man does try to act as God, it may lead to destruction.
In Greek mythology, Prometheus was the Titan god and he gave the human race the gift of fire. Mary Shelley had chosen a different title for the this book which was "Modern Prometheus". As they say, "fire brings knowledge" and how Prometheus was giving everyone knowledge, Victor Frankenstein was seen as Prometheus because he wanted to bring knowledge and life. Prometheus and Victor are very similar because Prometheus was punished for his doing, and so was Victor. Victor Frankenstein used his knowledge in negative ways, he ended up causing destruction.
In Greek mythology, Prometheus was the Titan god and he gave the human race the gift of fire. Mary Shelley had chosen a different title for the this book which was "Modern Prometheus". As they say, "fire brings knowledge" and how Prometheus was giving everyone knowledge, Victor Frankenstein was seen as Prometheus because he wanted to bring knowledge and life. Prometheus and Victor are very similar because Prometheus was punished for his doing, and so was Victor. Victor Frankenstein used his knowledge in negative ways, he ended up causing destruction.
AMBITION AND FALLIBILITY
Through the characters of Victor and Robert, the author portrays humans as deeply ambitious and also greatly flawed. Both Victor and Robert want to transform society and bring glory to themselves through their scientific accomplishments. These ambitions also make them fallible. They are so blinded by their desires that they do not even stop to think of the consequences of their actions. So, while Victor is able to bring a creature to life, he is unable to fulfill the duties a creator has to his creation. Victor thinks that he will have the position of a god, but he ends up as the father of the devil. He completely fails to attend to his responsibilities as a creator, which illustrates his fallibility. Robert, at least, turns back from his quest to the North Pole before he gets himself and his crew killed. However, he does this with bitterness and comes to an angry conclusion that he was robbed of his glory. Neither Victor and Robert ever escapes from their blinding ambitions, portraying that all men, particularly those who wish to bring glory to themselves and raise their ranks in society, are rash and “unfashioned creatures” with “weak and faulty natures.”
In Chapter 24, Victor speaks to Robert and gives him the following advice: “Seek happiness in tranquility and avoid ambition, even if it be only the apparently innocent one of distinguishing yourself in science and discoveries.” He speaks from his own experience and the realization of how great his life was before his ambition to create a new life and gain fame. He tells Walton that it is not worth it to pursue your desires and ambitions, if in the process, you lose your tranquility and happiness.
In Chapter 24, Victor speaks to Robert and gives him the following advice: “Seek happiness in tranquility and avoid ambition, even if it be only the apparently innocent one of distinguishing yourself in science and discoveries.” He speaks from his own experience and the realization of how great his life was before his ambition to create a new life and gain fame. He tells Walton that it is not worth it to pursue your desires and ambitions, if in the process, you lose your tranquility and happiness.
- How does Victor portray Prometheus in this novel?
- Why did Victor regret creating the monster?
- How is ambition and fallibility explored through the characters of Victor and Robert?
- What makes Victor realize that pursuing his ambitions was not worth it?