The human race has long been preoccupied with the quest for knowledge. Children spend between twelve and fifteen years in schools before they are considered able to contribute to society and lead adult lives. We are convinced of the notion that a higher level of knowledge will lead to a happier life and a better world. We trust that technology and science will improve our standards of living (will make tasks easier) and lead us to salvation. Many people put as much or more faith in the scientific method as in God. In Mary Shelley's Frankenstein , Victor's ordeal can be read as a tale of warning. His intentions are good and his ability and knowledge are at the genius level. Victor is the ideal student and fledgling scientist, his faith in science, however, and his lack of moral considerations and critical foresight, land him in the path of a fatally destructive force. Shelley deals with notions regarding the danger of knowledge, the need for moral and ethical considerations, the importance of objectivity and of being responsible and accountable for one's actions. Victor is a wonderful illustration of how a scientist should not be.

There are several allusions to the sin

Another theme that is woven throughout the text deals with the evolution of science. In at least two instances, the works of Albertus Magnus, Agrippa, and Paracelsus are referred to as garbage and a waste of time. When Victor's father finds him reading Agrippa, he dismisses it as "trash". One of Victor's professors, M. Krempe, also tells him that every minute he has "wasted on those books is utterly and entirely lost."5 It seems clear that Victor owes his success in creating life from death to his study of the old masters as well as his new professors. The old scientists always sought for the elixir of life. Krempe tells Victor that "the elixir of life is a chimera", and Frankenstein seems to latch on to that idea.6 According to the Oxford Concise Dictionary, the definition of chimera is "[an] organism formed by grafting etc. from tissues of different genetic origin". This describes Frankenstein's creature quite well. It could very well be that the professor was speaking metaphorically on the elixir of life but Victor took it quite literally.

Sykes, J.B., ed. The Concise Oxford Dictionary. London: Oxford University Press, 1983.

From a Biblical standpoint, Frankenstein's actions are clearly wrong. Some believe that man was created in God's image. If man, an inferior being, is a second generation copy of God, then a copy of man would be even less refined and further from perfection. The creature relates himself to Adam and sees the shortcomings of his creator. "He had come forth from the hands of God a perfect creature, happy and prosperous, guarded by the especial care of his Creator; he was allowed to converse with, and acquire knowledge from beings of superior nature: but I was wretched, helpless, and alone."3 Victor defiantly pushes the envelope and creates life but his playing God ends at its birth.

Perhaps due to his youth or lack of philosophical training, Frankenstein overlooks some important considerations when approaching his task of creation. "When I found so astonishing a power placed within my hands, I hesitated a long time concerning the manner in which I should employ it."2 It seems that moral implications were not included in these ponderings. This begs the question; Just because one has the ability to do something, does that mean it should be done? Some scientists of today are able to clone human beings. The idea has been raised that headless, unconscious bodies could be engineered to provide rep

Some common words found in the essay are:
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Approximate Word count = 1663
Approximate Pages = 7 (250 words per page double spaced)