Frankenstein

The Pursuit of Knowledge

The pursuit of knowledge is an everlasting human condition that has possessed the minds and hearts of many of the greats throughout history. In the fictional work of history Frankenstein: The Modern Prometheus, those who forgo the pursuit for knowledge are those who end up losing the most. Mary Shelley uses a despairing tone throughout the novel to divulge how the endless pursuit of knowledge can lead to self-destruction.

[First Paragraph Intro], the pursuit of knowledge opens up door into their lives to previously unknown dangers and troubles. “How much happier is the man is who believes his native town to be the world, than he who aspires to become greater than his nature will allow”(Shelley 43). Through this line delivered by Dr. Viktor Frankenstein, Mary demonstrates that if a person has no desire to go out and learn more then they are contempt and merry. Those who are faced with that desire to leave what they were raised in are destined to face otherwise unknown challenges and troubles along the path of knowledge. All of the while this is delivered with a tone that illustrates remorse and a monotonic presentation that makes the reader feel eerie.

“Such were the professor's words —rather let me say such the words of the fate —enounced to destroy me. As he went on I felt as if my soul were grappling with a palpable enemy; one by one the various keys were touched which formed the mechanism of my being; chord after chord was sounded, and soon my mind was filled with one thought, one conception, one purpose. So much has been done, exclaimed the soul of Frankenstein—more, far more, will I achieve; treading in the steps already marked, I will pioneer a new way, explore unknown powers, and unfold to the world the deepest mysteries of creation”(Shelley 39)

Frankenstein expresses in a foreshadowing tone that he is traveling down an unknown path that assuredly may lead to his own destruction but he will continue on it for the need of...