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Ethical Issues In Frankenstein

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“One man's life or death were but a small price to pay for the acquirement of the knowledge which I sought.” A quote from Mary Shelley's Frankenstein. This quote embodies one of the central themes of the story. When does science become unethical? Should scientist bare the responsibility or burden of their creations or discoveries. In Frankenstein, Victor the main protagonist creates a monster who begins to haunt his everyday life. Victor comes from a privileged family. He has an extensive education in science, and decided to dedicate his life towards it. Victor had always had the desire to learn the secrets of nature. He makes the excuse that he can't help himself as a way to escape responsibility, he believes that he was born this way. …show more content…

Without thinking of the consequences and preparing. He quickly heads back to marry his wife. At this point in the monster has committed to enacting revenge on Victor in someway. Only deepening his losses, and driving him closer and closer to madness. After Victor marries his wife he retires with her to a cabin, where he awaits the monster; who he believes will be there to kill him. The monster kills Victor's wife. This example goes to prove the point that scientist have to assume the responsibility for their creations. At this point the two themes converge showing similar traits. Cause and effect has shown that if you create something, and it is considered unethical, you yourself in someway will have to face the consequences of your actions. Victor has experienced the consequences and now lies helpless with no one he loves to comfort him or aid him. He has paid the full price for his mistakes, and now must make the decision of whether to end his own life or to kill the monster. He chooses to pursue the monster in one final act of …show more content…

Victor never confronts the monster, and dies on the spot. Victor's creation later takes its own life, but not after exchanging his final word with Walton aboard his ship. Victor has lost everything he has cared about, and lies dead. His lust for science and his desire to seek out the unknown and the unusual has led him down a path of suffering and pain. His eagerness caused him to create a monster that would soon kill and destroy everything he has ever loved in life. Victor grew up a privileged boy and ironically that privilege is what has ultimately doomed him. His ignorance caused him to lack any attention to detail, his youth and spoiled upbringing had caused him to become inhumane and take for granted the purest things in life. Victors disregard for sentient life caused him to act out of fear. A type of fear that comes with stepping into the unknown, and not knowing which way to

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