Knowledge in Frankenstein
By: Mary Shelley
Knowledge
Definition:
Facts, information, and skills acquired by a person through experience or education; the theoretical or practical understanding of a subject.
Victor's View:
Victor Frankenstein constantly wants to learn more, he is very interested in the natural world. Victor's constant want for knowledge sometime hurts him, and leads him into a path he may not want to be on. Through the story Victor acquires the knowledge he was striving for, as well as knowledge from lessons he may not want to learn.
The Creature's View:
The creature comes into this world like a baby, knowing almost nothing. He must learn many basic ideas and concepts in a very difficult manner. The creature learns concepts such as, light and dark, heat, and how to speak. The creature constantly strives to learn more everyday to become more like humans.
My View:
Knowledge is one of the most valuable things in the world. Personally I enjoy learning and knowing more about life. Without knowledge life would be useless.
Importance of Knowledge
"Knowledge is power"
Knowledge is what keeps us going in everyday life. Knowledge is what allows us to drive a car, speak, walk, run, jump, and read. Knowledge is unlimited in the world we live in, it is one thing in this world that will never end. Knowledge helps the world to solve complex, and even simple problems. Most of all knowledge helps us to understand ourselves and become the person we want to be.
Victor studies vigouriously to learn more
Knowledge is power
The creture speaks with a little girl striving to learn more about the world
Quotes
----In the beginning Victor partakes on a journey of knowledge, his constant want to learn more leads him away form his family and on the journey to learn.
"Natural philosophy is the genius that has regulated my fate; I desire, therefore, in this narration, to state those facts which led to my predilection for that science" (page 24).
---On Victor's journey he read many books from many different philosophers, these philosophers wrote about science, life, and everything Victor desired to learn. Victor praised them and their work because knowledge and learning more was the most important thing to Victor.
"But here were books, and here were men who had penetrated deeper and knew more. I took their word for all that they averred, and I became their disciple"(page 25).
---Knowledge is important Victor says, but knowledge is dangerous.
"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"(page 38).
---To the creature learning about where he came from is more important than anything else. He wanted to know more, he was always searching for opportunities to learn.
"It is with considerable difficulty that I remember the original era of my being; all the events of that period appear confused and distinct"(page 83).
----The creature greatly desired to be like a human, he knew that he could only achieve this through knowledge. The creature constantly strived to watch and learn more from the humans every single day
"I perceived that the words they spoke sometimes produced pleasure or pain, smiles or sadness, in the minds and countenances of the hearers. This was indeed a godlike science, and I ardently desired to become acquainted with it"(Page 93).
---In the end Victor regrets greatly what he has done, for all his knowledge has hurt him. He tells Walton of this and warns him, strive to learn more but do not take this to far, knowledge is power but it can hurt you.
"Seek happiness in tranquility and avoid ambition, even if it be only the apparently innocent one of distinguishing yourself in science and discoveries" (Chapter 24).
Statistics and Quotes
“An investment in knowledge pays the best interest"- Benjamin Franklin
"Yet, it is knowledge that leads to good decision-making and spurs progress."
Statistics are information, but as Albert Einstein put it, “information is not knowledge”.
Citations
-"Google." Google. N.p., n.d. Web. 23 Mar. 2015.
-Shelley, Mary Wollstonecraft, and Maurice Hindle. Frankenstein, Or, The Modern Prometheus. London: Penguin, 2003. Print.
-"Statistics, Knowledge and Progress - OECD Observer." Statistics, Knowledge and Progress - OECD Observer. N.p., n.d. Web. 23 Mar. 2015.