Science And Knowledge In Mary Shelly's Frankenstein

Science and knowledge are themes present throughout Mary Shelly's novel, Frankenstein. The book was written in the 19th century, a time of scientific research and innovation and Shelly reflects on these discoveries, demonstrating its growing presence in society, but also exposing the dangers of the quest for knowledge. She explores this idea through the parallels and contrasts between Victor and Walton's conducts in their respective pursuits, which reveals how obsessive behaviour hinders at one's wellbeing. It is particularly evident through an analysis of their attitudes towards knowledge and discovery, their interaction with others and the ultimate conclusion of their respective expeditions.
Walton and Victor are similar in nature and motive. They are both educated men: Walton states that his "education was neglected" and he is "self-educated " and Victor plays into this idea as well as he says "I was, to a a great degree, self-taught with regard to my favourite studies." They both believe the knowledge they possess was mostly self-taught. Victor and Walton are inherently egocentric beings, and this can also be seen through an analysis of their motivations. They wish to distinguish themselves in their pursuit for fame,
which they both explicitly express: "I preferred glory to every enticement that wealth placed in my path", "Wealth was an inferior object, what would glory would attend the discovery". However, while Walton wishes to contribute to scientific progress ("you cannot contest the inestimable benefit which I shall confer on all mankind"), Victor wants to be considered more than simply a renowned scientist and wishes to have a sort of divine status among his creations: "A new species would bless me as its creator and source". They are both men whom have been submerged in the world of science and wish to be apart of it. However, they differ slightly in motive, as Victor takes it a step further and more extreme as he becomes "so deeply engrossed in his occupation".
The individualism seen in their character and motives is also apparent when analysing the condition in which they find themselves. Walton and Victor are indeed both lonely in their respective pursuits. Walton shares that "he has no one near him" just as Victor states that his "person had become emaciated with confinement". However Walton wants a friend to confide in, as they would "repair his faults". Victor however deliberately chooses to isolate himself. He works "in a solitary chamber... separated from all the other apartments by a gallery and a staircase" and "wished to procrastinate all that related to his feelings of affection". Walton recognises the importance of human connection to his wellbeing, communicating with his sister whenever he can, whereas Victor shuts out his family throughout the novel, as he "could never persuade himself to confide in him that event which was so often present to his recollection". While they are both lonely, Victor's solitude is intentional. Walton craves affection, whereas Victor pushes it away as he becomes increasingly obsessed with his goals.
Finally, although Walton and Victor are similar at the beginning and throughout their respective journeys, there is ultimately a divergence in their fates.
Victor eventually dies in his pursuit of the monster. He had become so obsessed until his body could not go on any longer, "nearly frozen, and his body dreadfully emaciated by fatigue and suffering". (p. 16). Walton however decides to return to England. Although "his hopes are blasted by cowardice and indecision" Walton lives on. As Victor puts it, it is much better to "seek happiness in tranquility and avoid ambition" because ultimately, "a human being in perfection ought always to preserve a calm and peaceful mind and never to allow passion or a transitory desire to disturb his
tranquility".
In the novel, Victor recounts his story to Walton in hopes that he will learn from his mistakes: "when I reflect that you are pursuing the same course, exposing yourself to the same dangers which have rendered me what I am, I imagine that you may deduce an apt moral from my tale..." Victor sees a reflection of himself in Walton, as they are two lonely intellectuals trying to discover something greater than them, however he hopes to could prevent the latter from the same terrible fate he found himself in.