Frankenstein and True Monster
Who is the True Monster?
“With great power comes great responsibility.” As cliché as this popular Hollywood quotation may sound, it is extremely fitting to describe the situation where Dr. Frankenstein finds himself. When one has the ability, knowledge and power to create another living, breathing and thinking piece of flesh, a burden is immediately presented to whomever holds this invaluable control. Will this power be used to create horrible monstrosities that will be a form of destruction on society? Or will this knowledge be used for the betterment of the populace? Vast knowledge is extremely dangerous, because if someone believes that they have immense power, but is unable to harness it, there is the possibility that events can get out of control and lead to disastrous conclusions. In Dr. Frankenstein’s case, his lack of control over his vast supplies of enthusiastic knowledge leaves the reader questioning who the actual monster is, Dr. Frankenstein or his monster. Great power and great responsibility go hand in hand, and using great knowledge in a responsible manner has the capability to formulate something new and spectacular that the world has never before seen, but when there is a lack of responsibility, there will be monstrous ramifications that cannot be undone.
Abandoned upon creation, the monster in Mary Shelley’s novel, Frankenstein, is deprived of the care and attention that others experience during their formative years. Dr. Frankenstein had sacrificed his sanity to create this being, but upon creation was met only by “breathless horror and disgust” (34). Unfortunately, instead of fulfilling his “parental” responsibilities to the helpless creature he creates, Dr. Frankenstein flees, leaving the creature to fend for itself. He does not have the responsibility to care for who or what he brought into the world, and this lack of attention, care and upbringing made the monster an instinctive animal.
When Dr. Frankenstein uncovers the
“With great power comes great responsibility.” As cliché as this popular Hollywood quotation may sound, it is extremely fitting to describe the situation where Dr. Frankenstein finds himself. When one has the ability, knowledge and power to create another living, breathing and thinking piece of flesh, a burden is immediately presented to whomever holds this invaluable control. Will this power be used to create horrible monstrosities that will be a form of destruction on society? Or will this knowledge be used for the betterment of the populace? Vast knowledge is extremely dangerous, because if someone believes that they have immense power, but is unable to harness it, there is the possibility that events can get out of control and lead to disastrous conclusions. In Dr. Frankenstein’s case, his lack of control over his vast supplies of enthusiastic knowledge leaves the reader questioning who the actual monster is, Dr. Frankenstein or his monster. Great power and great responsibility go hand in hand, and using great knowledge in a responsible manner has the capability to formulate something new and spectacular that the world has never before seen, but when there is a lack of responsibility, there will be monstrous ramifications that cannot be undone.
Abandoned upon creation, the monster in Mary Shelley’s novel, Frankenstein, is deprived of the care and attention that others experience during their formative years. Dr. Frankenstein had sacrificed his sanity to create this being, but upon creation was met only by “breathless horror and disgust” (34). Unfortunately, instead of fulfilling his “parental” responsibilities to the helpless creature he creates, Dr. Frankenstein flees, leaving the creature to fend for itself. He does not have the responsibility to care for who or what he brought into the world, and this lack of attention, care and upbringing made the monster an instinctive animal.
When Dr. Frankenstein uncovers the