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Frankenstein
Dr. Frankenstein is the "modern Prometheus" Mary Shelley refers to in the title of her novel Frankenstein. Prometheus stole fire from the gods to bestow its gift upon mankind, in direct affront to natural and spiritual law. As a modern Prometheus, Dr. Frankenstein harnesses the power to create life. Mary Shelley uses diction and rich description to convey the central idea that Dr. Frankenstein acts immorally with grave consequences for himself and humanity.
One of the cornerstones of Dr. Frankenstein's moral character is the fact that he is conscious of what he is doing, and therefore must be held accountable for his actions. The young Frankenstein describes himself in laudatory terms. He says that he had a "sometimes violent temper" but that he was able to channel his passions into a "desire to learn." This "violent temper" is something that Shelley inserts on purpose as foreshadowing for the reader. Choosing this phrase allows Shelley to build suspense, as the reader knows that Dr. Frankenstein does have a dark side to his nature. Hiding behind his intellect is no excuse for immoral behavior. The young Frankenstein's intellectual curiosity is admirable, though, and the reader almost sympathizes with him in the beginning. He states, "My inquiries were directed to the metaphysical, or in its highest sense, the physical secrets of the world." By phrasing his terms in first person, using first person point-of-view, Shelley is successful in engaging the reader to have some empathy for the soon-to-be mad scientist. In his early writings, the lofty mental endeavors of the young man seem innocent.
Shelley uses diction to suggest that Dr. Frankenstein does not have the moral capacity to admit...
For example, in his writings he states that his reflections on his actions have led to a "gloomy and narrow reflections upon self." It is important to note here that the "reflections on self" show how the doctor is narcissistic. He cares more about how his actions impact himself, than about how his actions impact other people. Likewise, Shelley shows how Dr. Frankenstein does not take personal responsibility for his actions. He blames "fate," not himself. "Destiny was too potent, and her immutable laws had decreed my utter and terrible destruction," he states at the end of Chapter 2.
Dr. Frankenstein performs his experiments for personal pleasure and personal gain, and not for altruistic purposes. Shelley shows this egotistical nature in her protagonist by having him reflect, "I became myself capable of bestowing animation upon lifeless matter." He continues to self-reflect without musing on the consequences of his actions. Later, Dr. Frankenstein congratulates himself on how he "deprived myself of rest and health," (Chapter 5). Yet even as he beholds his creation, he fails to consider that the life he has created has dignity, feelings, or inherent worth. Instead of looking upon the creature with continued…
Composition IIFrankenstein Application EssayOption #4: Personal PerceptionMary Shelley�s Frankenstein presents the story of a fictitious brilliant scientist, Victor, who is obsessed with the idea of life and death, and the relations between the mortal life and the supernatural. His desire leads him to create a monstrous creature from the organs of dead humans. At first, the creature is sensitive and gentle, but soon becomes a victim of society�s alienation because
Her list includes the following: culture / Nature reason / Nature male/female mind/body ( Nature) master/slave reason/matter (physicality) rationality/animality ( Nature) human / Nature (non-human) civilised/primitive ( Nature) production/reproduction ( Nature) self/other At first glance, this list seems to capture the basic groupings and gender associations that are at work in Mary Shelley's novel. The Creature exemplifies animality, primitiveness, and physicality, whereas Victor represents the forces of civilization, rational production, and culture. Victor is part of a happy family
Frankenstein "You, who call Frankenstein your friend, seem to have a knowledge of my crimes and his misfortunes. But in the detail which he gave you of them he could not sum up the hours and months of misery which I endured wasting in impotent passions. For while I destroyed his hopes, I did not satisfy my own desires," (Shelley, Frankenstein, Chapter 24) Frankenstein's monster remains one of the most misunderstood characters
Frankenstein-Movie Reading about cloning is very disturbing. Scientists should not try to play God. Messing with the natural cause of life can have unforeseen consequences. They should remember the classic novel by Mary Shelley "Frankenstein." Its premise also explores the theme of creating a living thing. Though Frankenstein is not about cloning, its theme is similar to the events related to cloning. This movie is not attempting to be a horror movie.
Frankenstein" by Mary Shelley Pursuit of rationalism and science at the expense of humanism: Analysis of "Frankenstein" by Mary Shelley Since its inception in 1818, the novel "Frankenstein" had radically altered the horror genre of literature, for it introduced the horrors of humanity as a result of using science to attain power and control beyond humanity's capabilities -- that is, humans creating humans through scientific, not natural, production. Author Mary Shelley
Frankenstein and Enlightenment The Danger of Unregulated Thought in Frankenstein Mary Shelley's Frankenstein; Or, the Modern Prometheus, considered by many to be one of the first science-fiction novels written, is rife with anti-Enlightenment undertones. Shelley's novel, first published in 1818 and republished in 1831, examines the roles of science and religion, and provides a commentary on the dangers of playing God. Considering that Mary Shelley was the daughter of two prominent Enlightenment