Dangerous Knowledge In Mary Shelley's Frankenstein

Dangerous Knowledge in Frankenstein The concept of dangerous knowledge has existed in literature since the Bible, with famous tales of Adam and Eve being tempted to indulge in the forbidden fruit that is knowledge. Dangerous and forbidden knowledge is one of the core themes of Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein as it drives the narrator, Victor Frankenstein, to his demise in the creation of his abhorrent monster. The desire to know and understand the world around oneself is even shared by Frankenstein’s monster as well, and ultimately leads to his rejection from society. Mary Shelley establishes the theme of dangerous knowledge in her novel by introducing Victor Frankenstein’s character as a boy that thirsts for an understanding of the relationship
Given the further context, this theme is seen from the very first line as Walton assures his sister, “you will rejoice to hear that no disaster has accompanied the commencement of an enterprise which you have regarded with such evil forebodings” (10). He goes on to even state that “I shall satiate my ardent curiosity with the sight of a part of the world never before visited,” and that “these are my enticements, and they are sufficient to conquer all fear of danger or death” (11). Shelley makes the theme of searching for knowledge in spite of one’s well being, abundantly clear from the beginning. With Walton’s character so early established as one who desires knowledge and prestige in the face of danger and adversity, Shelley goes on to introduce Walton to Frankenstein. Frankenstein represents the epitome of everything wrong with Walton’s way of thinking. He serves the purpose of telling his tale of a search for knowledge that went awry, leading to his ultimate demise. Frankenstein enters the story “... nearly frozen, and his body dreadfully emaciated by fatigue and suffering” (20). Entering in this state, Frankenstein goes on to tell of how he tragically fell from prosperity and success to his now apparent dreadful
There is no moment more clear in the novel where the message of avoiding this path is made so evident. In reference to his taboo discovery, Frankenstein states, “learn from me, if not by my precepts, at least by my example, how dangerous is the acquirement of knowledge and how much happier that man is who believes his native town to be the world, than he who aspires to become greater than his nature will allow” (51). This line is the single most apparent warning to playing God and seeking dangerous knowledge in the entire novel, as it is literally Frankenstein warning just that. While these developments in the novel are easily visible and one hundred percent literal, the theme of dangerous knowledge is later further extended into literary and biblical