FRANKENSTEIN—
*****
[Good Science and Bad Science in "Frankenstein" . ]
Anne K Miller in her essay “A Feminist Critique of Science" notes that Mary Shelley " In her
novel, she distinguishes between that scientific research which attempts to describe accurately
the functionings of physical universe and that which attempts to control or change the universe
through human intervention. Implicitly she celebrates the former [good
science] which she associates most closely with the work of Erasmus Darwin, white she calls
attention to the danger inherent to the latter, found in the work of Devy and Galvani."
Shelley wrote " Frankenstein" during an age when scientific advances were exploding rapidly.
She was very much influenced by the works of three of the most famous serenitists of the late
eighteenth and nineteenth century– Humphry Davy, Erasmus Darwin and Galvané .In the
novel, Victor and Professor Waldman's concept of the nature and utility of chemistry is based
upon Humphry Davy’s introductory lecture to a course in Chemistry given at Royal Institution.
Professor Waldman tells Victor that modern scientists do not merely chase glory but " have
indeed performed miracles. They penetrate into the recesses of nature, and show us how
she[nature ] works in her hiding places". He advised Victor that if he wanted to “become really a
man of science and not merely a petty experimentalist, I should advise you to apply to every
branch of natural philosophy , including mathematics”.
Victor was heavily influenced by Mr. Waldman and his desire “to learn the hidden laws of nature"
leads him to create a monster by surpassing the natural law of reproduction. He perverts
Darwin's natural evolutionary progress by collecting the dead body from graveyards to
generate life. After creating his child he denied paternal love that it requires. His failure to
embrace his creature and his horrified rejection shows the failure of science when it is
separated from ethics and morality. In trying to create a human being Victor transgress the
boundary of natural and divine law.
There is a great similarity between Victor and Walton. While discussing about his journey,
Walton said Victor that, "One man's life or death were but a small price to pay for the
acquirement of the knowledge which I sought". The pursuit of knowledge and great enthusiasm
towards discoveries is similar to both Victor and Walton. However, Victor warns him by
projecting his life as an example– “Unhappy man! Do you share my madness?” Victor advises
him to “seek happiness in tranquility and avoid ambition".
Vietor's unchecked ambition and his pursuit of knowledge ruined his life and killed most of his
family members. It is God's punishment, just as He punished Dr. Faustus for his overreaching
ambition. Both usurped the power of God by violating the boundary between natural and divine
law. In fact the subtitle of the novel " The Modern Prometheus” reminds us how oversteaching
ambition like Prometheus, stealing fire from gods, leads to suffering and punishment. Ultimately
Mary Shelley's novel shows the triumph of good science over bad science.
*****
[Good Science and Bad Science in "Frankenstein" . ]
Anne K Miller in her essay “A Feminist Critique of Science" notes that Mary Shelley " In her
novel, she distinguishes between that scientific research which attempts to describe accurately
the functionings of physical universe and that which attempts to control or change the universe
through human intervention. Implicitly she celebrates the former [good
science] which she associates most closely with the work of Erasmus Darwin, white she calls
attention to the danger inherent to the latter, found in the work of Devy and Galvani."
Shelley wrote " Frankenstein" during an age when scientific advances were exploding rapidly.
She was very much influenced by the works of three of the most famous serenitists of the late
eighteenth and nineteenth century– Humphry Davy, Erasmus Darwin and Galvané .In the
novel, Victor and Professor Waldman's concept of the nature and utility of chemistry is based
upon Humphry Davy’s introductory lecture to a course in Chemistry given at Royal Institution.
Professor Waldman tells Victor that modern scientists do not merely chase glory but " have
indeed performed miracles. They penetrate into the recesses of nature, and show us how
she[nature ] works in her hiding places". He advised Victor that if he wanted to “become really a
man of science and not merely a petty experimentalist, I should advise you to apply to every
branch of natural philosophy , including mathematics”.
Victor was heavily influenced by Mr. Waldman and his desire “to learn the hidden laws of nature"
leads him to create a monster by surpassing the natural law of reproduction. He perverts
Darwin's natural evolutionary progress by collecting the dead body from graveyards to
generate life. After creating his child he denied paternal love that it requires. His failure to
embrace his creature and his horrified rejection shows the failure of science when it is
separated from ethics and morality. In trying to create a human being Victor transgress the
boundary of natural and divine law.
There is a great similarity between Victor and Walton. While discussing about his journey,
Walton said Victor that, "One man's life or death were but a small price to pay for the
acquirement of the knowledge which I sought". The pursuit of knowledge and great enthusiasm
towards discoveries is similar to both Victor and Walton. However, Victor warns him by
projecting his life as an example– “Unhappy man! Do you share my madness?” Victor advises
him to “seek happiness in tranquility and avoid ambition".
Vietor's unchecked ambition and his pursuit of knowledge ruined his life and killed most of his
family members. It is God's punishment, just as He punished Dr. Faustus for his overreaching
ambition. Both usurped the power of God by violating the boundary between natural and divine
law. In fact the subtitle of the novel " The Modern Prometheus” reminds us how oversteaching
ambition like Prometheus, stealing fire from gods, leads to suffering and punishment. Ultimately
Mary Shelley's novel shows the triumph of good science over bad science.
