An Odyssey from Glory to Inhumanity: Frankenstein’s Pursuit of Knowledge

The Perilous Pursuit in “Frankenstein”

When divine lighting hits a tree, it never grows back the way it once was; It will always grow back rather anomalously and abnormally. In Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein, Doctor Victor Frankenstein epitomizes the struck tree. Frankenstein pursues the idea of knowledge, validation, and accomplishment but ultimately and inadvertently imposes pain and suffering on those around him. Through the resulting affliction, Shelley develops her truth that the pursuit of knowledge does not lead to glory but to inhumanity and torment.

Dashed Expectations and the Tragic Hero

When creating the Monster, Frankenstein is motivated, so much so that he is infatuated; it is evident that his seemingly revolutionary project incites a sort of excitement inside him, and it gives him some sort of worth. Nonetheless, when his creation is brought to life, he is completely appalled by his appearance, saying, “My heart palpitated in the sickness of fear.” With the abrupt transition of his ego, Shelley continues the idea of a tragic hero. The disdain that he shows for what came from his own mind shows that the pursuit of higher knowledge personifies the tragic vision of having such high expectations for himself, only to be let down.

Ripples of Desperation and Pain

During his pursuit of knowledge, Frankenstein and his creation also impose distress on others. The Monster murders William out of revenge, leaving his family to mourn the loss of their young relative. The destructive path left by Frankenstein’s Monster shows the incomprehensible pain that is brought upon others. The persistent quest for knowledge furthers Shelley’s concept of a tragic hero by allowing the actions of Frankensteins’ desperate quest for knowledge to spread, only emphasizing his contempt for himself over searching for validation and knowledge in the first place.

From Obsession to Desolation

After realizing the pain his Monster has caused, Victor goes hunting for his Monster to rid the world of the pain he has caused and to redeem himself. His obsessive hunt leaves the doctor sick and ultimately kills him. The failure of his hunt and his resulting death exemplify the inevitable pain that is brought upon by pursuing knowledge and eminence. Shelley proves through his tragic death that the quest for greatness results only in isolation and self-induced agony.

A tree that has been struck by “divine lighting” never grows back the way it once was.
Through death, pain, and discontent, Mary Shelley proves that otherwise selfish quest inevitably results for everyone involved, and with this, an overarching theme is created.

References:

1. Shelley, Mary. “Frankenstein; or, The Modern Prometheus.” 1818. Project Gutenberg. https://www.gutenberg.org/files/84/84-h/84-h.htm