Knowledge, Nature, And Isolation In Mary Shelley's Frankenstein
In the novel Frankenstein by Mary Shelley, the author explores a trio of topics: knowledge, nature, and isolation, utilized in sequence to expand the meaning of the story to reflect the contrast of man's mental health. Man’s self-knowledge creates his nature, or in this situation, the nature of his surroundings. When the monster realizes his inadequacy in the perception of others, the result is isolation through his fight to avoid his understanding of how he is truly viewed by the village. Similarly, knowledge of his appearance is dangerous, “...and when I became fully convinced that I was, in reality, the monster that I am, I was filled with the bitterest sensations of despondence and mortification.” (Shelley, 80) Frankenstein’s monster tried to fit into the village with the desire of acceptance but received only hate and fear from the humans, because of this he swore revenge …show more content…
Frankenstein escaped from all of his fears and problems by seeking the silence and restoration of nature. He contrasts the beauty of nature with the horridness of the monster. While the monster is unpleasant and ugly, nature remains idyllic and peaceful. Finally, isolation leads to destructive decisions, "God, in pity, made man beautiful and alluring, after his own image; but my form is a filthy type of yours, more horrid even from the very resemblance. Satan had his companions, fellow-devils, to admire and encourage him, but I am solitary and abhorred." (Shelley, 93) As the monster further explores himself through the lens of others, he fulfills what he fears. The disdain from society left the monster alone. His desire for societal acceptance prompts inadequacy that gives way to his true monster and murders Frankenstein's family and friends. As can be seen, Mary Shelley's Frankenstein is a tragic novel that explores the creation of man and his self-knowledge that spirals into an abyss of discovery and death. Nature, knowledge, and isolation define the milestones that spiral out of
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758 Words | 4 PagesEmotional and physical isolation in Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein are the most pertinent and prevailing themes throughout the novel. These themes are so important because everything the monster, Victor, and Robert Walton do or feel directly relates to their poignant seclusion. The effects of this terrible burden have progressively damaging results upon the three.
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855 Words | 4 PagesSociety is well-known for pushing those who are outsiders or strange away from society. This is prevalent to the examples in Mary Shelley’s novel, Frankenstein. The monster who was created by Victor Frankenstein who wanted to be the first to create life was appalled by the sights of the his creation. Frankenstein’s monster is judged based on his appearances and is often ostracized by society, just as anyone in modern day society can be shunned or pushed away due to their looks or how they think. The most outstanding example of ostracism that occurred throughout the novel is based on the monster’s physical features and structure.
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The Quest For Knowledge In Mary Shelley's Frankenstein
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Social Belonging In Frankenstein
987 Words | 4 PagesFrankenstein’s creature initially shows no signs of ill will or malice when first encountering human beings (Shelley 72-73). On the contrary, through careful observation he is able to learn more about human society and personal relationships. He begins to admire the close connection between the people he observes and respects their virtue. This, however, makes him realise what he is missing. Observing the love and affection between others only increases the effect his own solitude has on him.
Mary Shelley's Frankenstein: Knowledge A Blessings And Curse
977 Words | 4 PagesKnowledge can be Blessings and Curse A teenage girl Mary Shelly wrote Frankenstein in the 18th century. A Gothic novel Frankenstein deals with two genres, Gothicism and science fiction. Victor, one of Mary Shelly’s characters represents man’s pursuit of knowledge which ultimately leads towards the path of destruction while another character Robert Walton implemented his knowledge wisely to get benefits for the society. Mary is indicating to the society that mankind has to pay full attention to science and scientific innovations in order to avoid the catastrophic events due to misuse of knowledge.
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1443 Words | 6 PagesThe power of knowledge can be a dangerous thing. However, it is not always the content or amount of knowledge that is dangerous. It is the person behind that knowledge that has the potential to bring danger to society. No tale represents this better than Mary Shelley’s novel, Frankenstein. Monsters and myths can be scary or frightening to young children.
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672 Words | 3 PagesDangerous Minds- Rough Draft Knowledge has the capability to be used for both good and evil. In Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein, there is a consistent message throughout the novel showing the dangerous and destructive power that knowledge can have. Two key characters, Victor Frankenstein and his monster, are shaped through their obsessions with knowledge and the power and responsibility that it brings. Ultimately, Victor’s downfall is a result of his uncontrollable thirst for knowledge, and is brought about through the monster which is the embodiment of his obsession. Victor is a brilliant scientist who figures out a way to create life from death using galvanism, or electricity.
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1420 Words | 6 PagesENG-3U0 November 20 2015 Frankenstein: The Pursuit of Knowledge Throughout the course of their individual journeys, Victor Frankenstein’s extreme passion for gaining knowledge about creating life, Robert Walton’s curiosity to discover land beyond the North Pole and the monster’s eagerness to obtain knowledge about humans was the principal cause of each of their suffering. As such, In Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein, the pursuit of knowledge is a dangerous path which leads to suffering. Victor Frankenstein develops a keen interest in discovering knowledge about living beings which ultimately results in his personal suffering as well as others suffering. To begin with, Victor embarks on an assignment through combining body parts and following various
Outline For Frankenstein Research Paper
516 Words | 3 PagesFrankenstein’s Monster is not categorized as evil by his malicious behavior and is sympathized with due to his creator abandoning him and the role of nature versus nurture taken place II. Monster’s Nature and alienation A. Monster originally had an inquisitive nature yet gentle nature a. Information on the German family was “each interesting and wonderful to one so utterly inexperienced as [he] was” (105) B. With the rejection and alienation from society, the only interactions the monster experiences, he becomes full of hatred a. Rejected by De Lacey family by his looks and labeled a monster b. Tries to save a child but is shot by child’s father C. Reader may feel sympathy towards the Monster’s actions because the readers know that his true nature was not evil and he was misjudged III.
The Influence Of Nature In Mary Shelley's Frankenstein
1191 Words | 5 PagesNumerous research has concluded that several emotional bonds exist between humanity and nature that can impact everything from attitude to anxiety. Novels of the romanticism period, a significant literary era that encompassed most European works written in the early 1800’s, are most known for describing the impacts that nature has on people and implying that unexpected consequences can arise out of this relationship; Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein is a prime example of such a novel. The prime conflict of this 1818 science-fiction story occurs between the titular character, Victor Frankenstein, and a monster he creates through his own scientific innovations. Because of Victor’s abandonment of the monster, it becomes intent on destroying the scientist’s
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