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Essay / Research Paper Abstract
This 5 page paper analyzes the theme of dangerous or forbidden knowledge in Mary Shelley’s classic “Frankenstein.” Bibliography lists 3 sources.
Page Count:
5 pages (~225 words per page)
File: D0_HVDngKno.rtf
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Unformatted sample text from the term paper:
a simple "horror" story; it deals instead with important issues including the drive to succeed, the nature of obsession, and the problems inherent in the pursuit of "dangerous knowledge." This
paper considers the theme of forbidden knowledge as Shelley presents it in her book. Discussion Critics and scholars have for years asserted that Frankenstein is about dangerous knowledge. Barbara Frey
Waxman writes that when Victor Frankenstein claims his efforts are directed to the "metaphysical, or in its highest sense, the physical secrets of the world", Mary Shelley is establishing her
lead character as a "presumptuous human being who wishes to probe new territory where human beings are forbidden by the deity" (Waxman 14). Frankensteins "driving desire for forbidden knowledge" can
thus be seen as "the innate tragic flaw of his personality" (Waxman 14). He is a Byronic man, passionate and romantic (in the classical sense), driven from birth by his
temperament to try and capture knowledge that is reserved to God alone (Waxman 14). Frankensteins "innate, internally compelling thirst for knowledge about human nature summons his tragic destiny" (Waxman 14).
Shelley uses a "framing device" to begin and end her novel, the letters from Walton to his sister Margaret. It is these letters that set up the story. Frankenstein appears
some little way into the novel, when he is picked up by Waltons ship, emaciated and dying (Shelley). Once he is aboard, he tells his story to Walton who relates
it to the reader, and by the time we get to the second chapter, Frankenstein makes this declaration: "My temper was sometimes violent, and my passions vehement; but by some
law in my temperature they were turned, no towards childish pursuits, but to an eager desire to learn, and not to learn all things indiscriminately. ... It was the secrets
...