The Tree of Knowledge in Frankenstein by Mary Shelley Essays -- Franke

The Tree of Knowledge in Frankenstein by bloody shame ShelleyIn Frankenstein, Mary Shelley warns that with the advent of experience, pictorial philosophical questioning is not only futile, but dangerous.In attempting to discover the mysteries of life, Frankenstein assumesthat he can act as God. He disrupts the natural order, and snake pitensues.Mary Shelley goes to great lengths to emphasize the beauty and orderof life when man engages in natural pursuits. She idealizesFrankensteins home life I feel exquisite pleasure in dwelling onthe recollections of childhood, before misfortune had tainted my mind(38). His family is orderly and wonderful. Clervals presence broughtback to my thoughts my father, Elizabeth, and all those scenes of homeso dear to my recollectionI felt suddenly, and for the first timeduring many months, calm and serene joy (58). Shelley also stressesthat man should feel at one with nature, not at odds with it Whenhappy, inanimate nature had the power of bestowing on me the mostdelightful sensations (68).Certain occupations allow man to be at one with nature and his fellowcreatures. Shelley feels that science should be useful and beneficialto mankind. Clerval, a clearly pure and benevolent character, studieslanguages. He loves poetry. These disciplines allow man to help othersand glorify nature without questioning it. In childhood,Frankensteins studies contained bright visions of usefulness (38)I betook myself to the mathematics, and the branches of studyappertaining to that science, as being built upon secure foundations,and so worthy of consideration (41). still Frankensteins interests soon turned past from mathematics hespeaks of his change of mind as i... ...gnorant art thou in thy pride of wisdomCease you know not what it is you say (194)Frankenstein has in the long run learned his lesson. Or has he? After hisexcruciating pains and hardship, Frankensteins dying words are Ihave myself been blasted in these hopes, yet other may succeed(2 10). Unless Frankenstein is referring to beneficial, pragmaticscientific knowledge, then he has not yet acknowledged that man cannotknow the secrets of nature. Shelley means his final words to be awarning to the reader. Mans growing ambition and intellect willrender him desperate to discover the deepest mysteries of lifeit is adifficult task to halt this ambition. But this ambition is greaterthan mans intellect. He can never know all, though he aspires toheaven. Until he realizes his limitations, the spread of science canonly lead to chaos and destruction.