The tale of Frankenstein is a book full of reflections on humanity; the flipside. The work is full of ideas of how humanity can utilize or misuse knowledge for varying purposes. At inception, Mary Shelly would not have thought of how her work would turn out to be an epitome of today’s society. From alienated individuals, unethical scientific practices, the secret of life, and rejection; the book manages to reflect the society from an individual to a societal level. These lessons are intertwined and imparted in a manner parallel to the current contentious issues. At the beginning, Victor Frankenstein, a young, talented scientist creates a hideous creature. The creature turns out to be good ‘hearted’ and strives to do kind acts. However, due to its hideousness, the society is not ready to accept the creature as a human being, or accord it respect as a living being. Even its creator, Victor, is ashamed of his creation and strives to avoid it. The interactions between Victor, the monster, the society, and the ensuing transgressions take the reader through a journey of pain, misery, and unethical science. To this end, this paper aims to argue that Mary Shelly’s book-Frankenstein, indirectly, and effectively, reflects the society at large; and the pertinent issues affecting humanity.
In this perspective, the book manages to portray a sensitive issue of abortion. This is painted through the respective actions of the characters in the books. At inception, Victor ultimately rejects his creature after creation. At one juncture, victor reiterates that, ‘ When I thought of him I gnashed my teeth, my eyes became inflamed, and I ardently wished to extinguish that life which I had so thoughtlessly bestowed ’ This reflects an initial rejection of Victor to his creation. After creating, the conceiver turns out to hate his initial joy, turns it to loath, and decides to destroy his creations. Later on, Victor creates another female creature but destroys it because of the hate lodged in his heart. The destruction of the female creature portrays an ultimate act of abortion. To further compound the issue, the society, through their actions, condemns the creatures. This comes out as an act of accepting abortion.
Accordingly, in the current times, many countries have come to accept and pass legislature legalizing abortion. Most of these countries are of the opinion that carrying a fetus is a decision fit for a mother. However, most of them fail to conceive the fate of the child. This is brought out where Victor is allowed by society to create and destroy the creature at will. The feelings of the child are ultimately reflected by the creature when it bemoans, ‘ I, the miserable and the abandoned, am an abortion, to be spurned at, and kicked, and trampled on ’ As such, countries that have passed on bills legalizing abortions should first ponder on the aspect of the fetus; a life. Thus, allowing women to terminate a pregnancy at will can be likened to how the society ignores Victor’s power of creation and destruction.
In addition, the book has been able to bring out the issue of unethical scientific practices. The first instance of science is brought where the author reiterates that, ‘Curiosity, earnest research to learn the hidden laws of nature, gladness akin to rapture ’ However, there exist a thin line between good and bad in science. The fact that Victor can create a creature, and then proceed to destroy it, raises questions of how science can be utilized ethically. In the prevailing times, varying scientists have been involved in science devoid of humanity. Examples of this include instances where scientists have decided to utilize humans as live guinea pigs. In the current times, in search of cures, scientists have been known to use humans in the testing of an aids vaccine. In particular, this behavior is rampant in third world countries. This is based on the fact that the governments of these developing countries turn out to be corrupt individuals of questionable characters. However, the major ethical consideration lies with the scientists. As a person tasked with safeguarding humanity, a scientist should only engage in actions; in line with preserving the sanctity of human life.
Additionally, aspects of human cloning have continuously marred the scientific world. Cloning allows for scientists to create human life. This equates the scientists with immense power; parallel with that of a creator of life. However, scientists should not be allowed the power to create life. Despite the fact that cloning might save lives, the cost of creating synthetic human beings might end up being higher than thought. In addition, cloning raises issues of the legality of the clone. The clone cannot be termed as a human being nor can it be judged or governed on the basis of normal human legislature. The same issue is brought out in the book. The resultant creation ends up not fitting the description of human beings. As such, scientists should not be allowed to tinker with human life. Human life, is a gift; an unexplainable phenomenon.
Equally important, the book brings out the aspect of religion. Most religious sects are of the belief of the sanctity of life. However, the Mary Shelly’s work brings out an issue of disregarded religion. The scientist, Victor, tampers with life by creating his own creation. In addition, he goes on to create and destroy a living thing. This equates Victor to God; an all-powerful being. Accordingly, God is the only one tasked and endowed the power of creating and destroying life. Taking this power onto oneself equates to assuming godliness. In addition, this turns as a situation where humanity despises life. This aspect is reflected in the book where Victor states, ‘ascend into the heavens They have acquired new and almost unlimited powers; they can command the thunders of heaven, mimic the earthquake, and even mock the invisible world with its own shadows’. At this juncture, the author brings out the aspect of scientists and their feelings of superiority. As such, the power of scientists, to the extent that they play God, should be curtailed.
In a nutshell, Mary Shelly’s book achieves to paint the society to its core. Aspects of science without humanity, unbound godlike power, and abortion are vividly brought out; in the book. A stern lesson discussed in the book is that of scientific knowledge and humanity. There exists a thin line between using science to do good, and misusing science for perceived, personal intentions. On one hand, science can be used to better human life, but, on the other hand, misuse of science can wreck havoc on humanity.
Works Cited
Shelley, Mary Wollstonecraft. Frankenstein. London, 1817.
