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Essay / Research Paper Abstract
A 6 page essay that examines Mary Shelley's Frankenstein. The writer argues Shelley's novel seems to speak directly to the modern reader and offer explicit warning against scientific discovery unregulated by restrictions of morality or responsibility. Victor Frankenstein, Shelley's brilliant protagonist/scientist, suffers a tragic downfall worthy of the ancient Greek tragedians. Shelley's text suggests that this occurs due to two failings. First of all Frankenstein, like the ancient Greek tragic heroes, is guilty of hubris, that is, excessive pride, of "attempting to be like God" (Madigan 48), but also, he initially does not take responsibility for his actions. Furthermore, in his hubris, Frankenstein exhibits two characteristics that he himself castigates, "cowardice and carelessness," which he exhibits in the manner in which he deals with his creation (Shelley 37). Bibliography lists 4 sources.
Page Count:
6 pages (~225 words per page)
File: D0_khfrscwr.rtf
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Unformatted sample text from the term paper:
a "good example of the phenomenon much noted by modern critics whereby meaning is ascribed by the reader rather than the author" (James and Field 47). Shelley, writing in the
nineteenth century, could not have foreseen the development of nuclear energy and its potential for annihilation, nor could she have foreseen the current discoveries in bio-technology that so disturb
many people. Yet, Shelleys novel seems to speak directly to the modern reader and offer explicit warning against scientific discovery unregulated by restrictions of morality or responsibility. Victor Frankenstein,
Shelleys brilliant protagonist/scientist, suffers a tragic downfall worthy of the ancient Greek tragedians. Shelleys text suggests that this occurs due to two failings. First of all Frankenstein, like the ancient
Greek tragic heroes, is guilty of hubris, that is, excessive pride, of "attempting to be like God" (Madigan 48), but also, he initially does not take responsibility for his actions.
Furthermore, in his hubris, Frankenstein exhibits two characteristics that he himself castigates, "cowardice and carelessness," which he exhibits in the manner in which he deals with his creation (Shelley 37).
From the beginning of the novel, Shelley makes the attraction of science clear and shows how this area of knowledge can lead towards the development of hubris. Frankenstein comments,
during his student days, on sciences fascination: None but those who have experienced them can conceive of the enticements of science. In other studies you go as far as
others have gone before you, and there is nothing more to know; but in a scientific pursuit there is continual food for discovery and wonder (Shelley 37). As
this quote indicates, science offers the intelligent mind new vistas and the possibility of adding to the new overall knowledge of humanity. Personal glory is inherent in this possibility. This
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