Frankenstein The Danger Of Knowledge Essay

The desire for knowledge is something many possess, but when taken too far knowledge can have very devastating effects - not only for that person but the lives of others. In Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein, Shelley demonstrates breakdowns and misfortunes that curse those who obsessively pursue knowledge. Victor Frankenstein lusts for a kind of knowledge so hidden and unrevieled that he is willing to sacrifice himself and the lives of others in its pursuit. Frankenstein longs for scientific knowledge to pursue his goal of creating human life. He succeeds at this, but the experiment results in creating a monstrous creature. Frankenstein had the urge to study the negative subjects throughout science that he was so intertwined with, and had the determination …show more content…
As he continued to learn and increase his knowledge, he plunged further into an obsessive state, excluding himself from his loved ones and burying himself in his studies. The dream of creating life was derived from Victor’s ideas and the dangers of his pursuit of knowledge are of concepts and ideas that lie beyond accepted human limits. With his strong drive, he becomes successful in accomplishing his dream. Due to his dream, the horror of his creation crushed the hope for everlasting fame and turned against him for evil. Victor states, “… I created a fiend whose unparalleled barbarity had desolated my heart and filled it forever with the bitterest remorse” (155). Victor’s suffering was, in fact, a result of his quest for knowledge. When both Victor and the creature gained more knowledge, they started to cause great danger and destruction to their …show more content…
In this situation, knowledge was more powerful than intended. The importance in taking care in its use is apparent to achieve positive results instead of negative consequences. Demonstrated in Shelley’s novel, some scientific advancement, if not handled carefully, can have a turn of negative