Frankenstein Essay

Scientific achievements are often a benefit to society and help increase knowledge, but sometimes these accomplishments are frowned upon. For example, stem cell research is currently a popular topic in the world of science. Although this research may be able to help save lives, produce lives, or produce more meat for consumption, many issues exist questioning the morals of this practice. Similar to stem cell research, questionable morals and touchy subject matter fill Frankenstein, the popular novel by Mary Shelley. In the story, Victor experiments with creating a super-human, who will be bigger and more powerful than any other man who has ever lived. He takes pieces and parts from dead bodies and combines them all together, eventually giving the creature life using electricity. Victor Frankenstein knew that he may have been doing wrong as he experimented with scientific freedom, but wanted to keep working on his creation to be successful for once in his life. Claridge states, "Victor Frankenstein is formed by a motif of neglect, and that his abandonment of his own creation is a simple psychological response to his own surroundings. His adolescence is a struggle to win approval of his father, but when he finally discusses his learning with his father, he is told to not waste his time on "sad trash." Victor is then left on his own to pursue knowledge, much like his monster." Little did he know, this creation that seemed to be a great idea would go on to be a mass murderer and wreak havoc on all of Victor's life. Several different opinions exist on whether the monster is responsible for its behavior, or if Victor is responsible since he created the beast. After some thought, it is easy to see that a monster combined of many different people cannot be responsible for his creation or behavior, but the man who created this being should be held accountable. Mary Shelley's exclusive ideas provide a great example of scientific freedom gone wrong and how one scientist can be at fault for creating a terrible monster, many different murders, and the downfall of an entire family.

The story begins as Victor Frankenstein started his invention by robbing graves during the night. Although most people grave dig for valuables, Victor was digging for body parts. He soon began to accumulate an entire body by combining the pieces and parts from each grave. Once he finished gathering the parts, Victor Frankenstein started his creation. He began stitching the body parts together until he had a lifeless, gigantic body lying in front of him. This horrid creature's appearance is described in a chilling passage, "His yellow skin scarcely covered the work of muscles and arteries beneath; his hair was of a lustrous black, and flowing; his teeth of a pearly whiteness; but these luxuriances only formed a more horrid contrast with his watery eyes, that seemed almost of the same colour as the dun-white sockets in which they were set, his shrivelled complexion and straight black lips" this frightening body impressed Victor, but would bring chills to anyone else (Shelley 42). One night, Victor decided it was time to bring life to the body. He hooked up an electricity source to his creation and all of the sudden it came to life. Victor was startled by the monster and left him be for the evening. The creature was rather ignorant due to having as much experience and knowledge as a new born baby. He had yet to see the world or learn anything, so Victor did not believe he was a threat. Little did Victor know, the monster would soon destroy his life and entire family.

The monster did not take long before this violence began because the night the creature came to life sparked the beginning of widespread murders and destruction. Directly after the birth of the monster, many things caused him to be angry and want to seek revenge on mankind and Victor. This anger was caused by the monster being shot while trying to save a drowning child, being rejected by the De Lacey family who the monster learned many things from and vigorously tried to be accepted by the family, and not having a companion to keep him company. The monster feels lonely and rejected everywhere he goes and cannot stand to be without anyone. After taking all that he could handle, the monster decided he would begin to take his revenge. Most of the destruction he causes is linked to his desperate desire for another creature that Victor refuses to create even after