Frankenstein
Frankenstein: the Horror Lives Today Nearly two hundred years ago, a novel was published that poses the same question society is still struggling to answer today: Should scientists consider the moral and ethical consequences before moving forward with scientific advancements? The horror of Frankenstein tells the story of what can happen when the ethical aspect of science is overlooked. Even today, Mary Shelley's Frankenstein offers valuable insight on the moral side of scientific development. Victor Frankenstein is a brilliant young scientist with an incredible thirst for knowledge. His intense studies lead him to the astonishing discovery that he has both the knowledge and the power to create life in the nonliving. Frankenstein reminisces of his discovery: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...I doubted at first whether I should attempt the creation of a being like myself, or one of simpler organization; but my imagination was too much exalted by my first success to permit me to doubt my ability to give life to an animal as complex and wonderful as man. (Shelley 38)The fateful flaw in Frankenstein's decision lies in the si
This was my duty, but there was another still paramount to that. He flees to his bed and tries to sleep. Urged by this view, I refused, and did right in refusing, to create a companion for the first creature. The monster's revenge costs him the lives of his friend Clerval, Hid dear Elizabeth, and eventually his own pitiful life. In the midst of his task, Frankenstein's conscience finally catches up with him and he destroys his work. Upon his recovery, he is greeted by the news that his brother William was strangled to death by an unknown killer. Frankenstein says:I passed the night wretchedly. Mingled with this horror, I felt the bitterness of disappointment; dreams that had been my food and pleasant rest for so long a space were now become a hell to me; and the change was so rapid, the overthrow so complete. The story of Victor Frankenstein and the horror he created is the perfect parable for modern day science. My duties towards the beings of my own species had greater claims to my attention because they included a greater proportion of happiness or misery. He returns to his home in Geneva to see the innocent maid Justineconvicted and put to death, only to realize that the true murderer is in fact his horrible creation. mple fact that he stopped only to think about whether or not he was capable of performing such a feat, but failed to consider whether performing such an experiment would be wise. It is at the exact moment that the monster comes to life that Frankenstein sees the horror of what he has done.
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