Essay On Frankenstein's Madness Of A Scientist And His Spawn '
1034 Words5 Pages
The Madness of a Scientist and His Spawn As the Digital Age continues to advance, it is necessary to refer back to Mary Shelley’s work, Frankenstein, written for the Industrial Revolution. This novel carries valuable information on the effects of one of Frankenstein’s largest motifs: knowledge. Through her groundbreaking novel Frankenstein, Shelley cautions readers of the emotional destruction that is a byproduct of knowledge as shown in her Romantic imagery and allusions to classic literature. From the beginning of Frankenstein, Shelley demonstrates her weariness over the mass increase of knowledge; specifically its emotional dangers. This is first shown when Frankenstein first discovers that his grand expectations for his creation…show more content… Frankenstein of course knew of the true criminal, but had to carry the weight of that knowledge all on his own. As Frankenstein’s omission festered in his heart “night closed around... and [he] foresaw obscurely that [he] was destined to become the most wretched of human begins” (Shelley 80). Frankenstein held himself personally responsible for their death. It is while Frankenstein retreats to Chamonix, grieving the death of Justine and William, and trying to find peace, when Shelley quotes from her husband’s poem, Mutability. It is here that Frankenstein reflects how “a dream has power to poison sleep” (Shelley 107). The purpose of this allusion is to show Frankenstein’s regret over the circumstances involving William and Justine, and how nothing good ever lasts. Furthermore, Mutability is also a word that to Romantic poets like Percy Shelley means the passing away of things into Nature (Schmoop). Therefore, Mutability can be a reflection on the turbulence of Frankenstein’s internal state, and a lamentation on the death of loved ones. A loss that occurred only by Frankenstein’s own