| Still from 1931 Universal film Frankenstein |
In class this week we began discussing Victor Frankenstein and his disastrous creation, and our conversation turned toward ethics. Now that you have read more of the novel, what do you make of Frankenstein's motivations and choices? What is the novel saying about education and the pursuit of science? Are there lines that science and human ambition cannot or should not cross? What significance do you give the title in its entirety (Frankenstein: A Modern Prometheus)? Be sure to use textual evidence from the novel to back up your position.
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| 1831 Frontispiece of Frankenstein: A Modern Prometheus |
It is a clever bit of irony to compare Dr. Frankentein to Prometheus. A god gives fire, which can be symbolic of life to mortal man, and a man brings life to an immortal being. Science today sometimes ventures too close to these same areas when scientists explore the possiblity of cloning and even using stem cells to grow individual body parts from a person's own DNA rather that using donor parts or synthetic parts. Modern man may realize too late just as Frankenstein did that some things were never meant to be tampered with by man, especially the creation of life. Dr. Frankenstein had studied and worked so feverishly to do what no man had done before, to feel important and esteemed among scientists that he didn't stop to think before he acted. When he reached his goal, then he looked back and realized his mistake.On pages 35-36 he talks about how he had deprived himself and how the "beauty of the dream vanished, and breathless horror and disgust filled my heart." Will we too someday and look at what we have created just because we could with such disgust and horror?
ReplyDeleteI think that there are lines that should not be crossed in science.For one no one should try to create another human being. I think that it's like you are trying to play God. I feel that Victors choices in this novel when it comes to his monster are that of curiosity. Mostly I think he just wanted to see if he could create life. But he didn't think of the consequences of his actions. As one of the classmates said the other day, Victor should have cared for his creation, he should have had the guts to stand up for Justine, and mostly he needs to correct all of his wrongs.
ReplyDeleteAs I'm sure I've made it obvious, I find Victor Frankenstein lacking. His integrity is absent where is passion and obsession have taken place. I do not believe his intentions where as noble as those of Promethesus and so I find the title, like previously mentioned, to be ironic. The only similarity I can draw between the two is the effect of their actions on their own selves. Both men suffered mightily for expedition
ReplyDeleteVictor Frankenstein did not truly think through his actions. He was motivated by obsession and a touch of madness. He behaved like a child doing something wrong just to see if they could get away with it and then realizing that there were unforeseen consequences. His choices were filled with ignorance and disrespect for the being that he created. Honestly, he was too busy moping over his own folly to make choices with any moral value. I believe that the novel is making a point about the fact that science cannot bestow an individual with humanity. I would argue that Frankenstein's creature had humanity that his creator. Humanity is based on convictions and the emotional connections that link individuals together as a whole. Frankenstein felt nothing for the very "child" that he created. Yet his creature, built emotional connections to people that he simply observed. He learned through simply watching people what compassion, love, and gentleness were. Of course, he also learned about hatred, pain, and rejection. As for the connection to Prometheus, Prometheus gave fire to human beings and was punished by the gods. Here, Frankenstein is acting as Prometheus by giving the secrets of animation to the world. However, his punishment came from his own consciousness because he became disgusted by his obsession.
ReplyDeleteThe entire novel is clearly a warning against progress for progress' sake. Victor obviously stumbled into something that he didn't understand and was not prepared to take responsibility for. This lack of responsiblity causes Victor and his creation grief again and again. On pages 101- 104 the monster reasons that Victor should take responsibility for his lonely existance. Though the reader might sympathize with Victor's reluctance to create another monster, it is obvious that his original abondoment of the monster was the cause for much of the deaths involved. The monster's ability to learn that is demonstrated by his actions questions whether with guidance the monster would not have commited such acts. The novel therefore not only cautions against reckless scientific advancement, but the recklessness of humanity and the necessary willingness to take responsibility for one's creations, whether they turn out as intended or not.
ReplyDeleteI think the title "modern prometheus" is a little off. Prometheus brought fire because he knew it would benifit humanity, Victor leaps into the unknown in order to perhaps benifit humanity, but to also satisfy his own curiousity and desire for knowledge.
Victor had a love for science and a huge curiosity about life. I don't think his motivation was initially selfish or evil, but merely was curious and that was taken to an obsession, like humans tend to do. Humans have always strove to create the indescribable, including life. He saw a chance and he thought he could make it real. This book talks about education as a good thing in moderation, it speaks of the ability for drive to turn corrupt. There are definitely lines that should not be crossed and Victor knows he crossed it, as he is telling his story he makes sure that the listener knows the bad part of it more than the amazing task he completed. "Learn from me... how dangerous is the acquirement of knowledge, and how much happier that man is who believes his native town to be the world, than he who aspires to become greater than his nature will allow" (page 32). I think the title is fitting. Prometheus was the god that brought fire to man, but he is also credited with creating man from clay. The fact they both created something that is innocent and after its creation has evil tendencies seems to relate greatly. Both were thought of to take science to an extreme point that hurt more than it helped.
ReplyDeleteVictor had a peculiar love for knowledge, one not shared among his professors at college which is where he claims his obsession and emotional turmoil began. On the vessel where Victor is saved, he tells his story while heeding a warning tone. Prometheus, a god, and Frankenstein, a young man in emotional turmoil, share the fact that they both created life from the inanimate. The title should remain as is, Prometheus after having giving birth to humankind, his punishment is symbolic of the pain Victor feels from venturing into dangerous and dark knowledge. His warning tone reveals itself in his story powerfully when he declares, "Learn from me... how dangerous is the acquirement of knowledge, and how much happier that man is who believe his native town to be the world, than he who aspires to become greater than his nature will allow" (page 32). Leaving me the reader, to conclude that to much knowledge can be dangerous because having it is different then handling it. The negative consequences to follow are painted in the sufferings he experiences, physically, socially, and emotionally.
ReplyDeleteI understand Frankenstein's desire for knowledge, but I do not appreciate his lack of responsibility and record keeping. The pursuit of science in itself is not tied to ethics at all. It is simply focused on proving or disproving a hypothesis. However, in our society we gauge the benefit of science based on its ethical qualities. If the research is shown to be unethical, society will not accept it regardless of the benefits provided through the results. I believe there are lines that science should not cross. For instance, we should take special care in not harming humans and not leaving them more tainted than when the experiment began. Like the Tuskegee experiment...not ok.
ReplyDeleteThere are many lines in science and human ambition that should not be crossed. A huge reason is religion could become decimated. Frankenstein’s needs are similar to the human condition and cannot be satisfied by science alone. In victor having a god like quality shows how a person can have all the power. You cannot be a dictator and if you try you will eventually have mutiny. The contradiction is how the monster needs emotion and love while victor only needed science. Finally victor decides not to form Frankston a female companion and Frankenstein wants him to employ science to create a wife for him. The science doesn’t matter to the monster. What matters he states, “Life…is dear to me and I will defend it” which is no different from any person.
ReplyDeleteIn my opinion I think Victor was wrong all the way around. He should have never created the monster. I understand that humans are very curious creatures and when all want to know what we are capable of however, this was just a little to far. After he had already done it he should have gave him compassion. He should of cared for him enough to make things right.
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