Knowledge
Frankenstein
Explanation
Quotes about knowledge from Frankenstein
This quote is showing Victors crave for knowledge that is the beginning of all the bad that ends up happening.
"It was the secrets of heaven and earth that I desired to learn; and whether it was the outward substance of things, or the inner spirit of nature and the mysterious soul of man that occupied me, still my inquiries were directed to the metaphysical, or, in it highest sense, the physical secrets of the world." (Ch.2)
This quote is explaining how Shelly formed Victor as a man who wanted to know more than just the average man, and wanted too be more advanced than others and do something that others couldn't.
"The raising of ghosts or devils was a promise liberally accorded by my favorite authors, the fulfillment of which I most eagerly sought; and if my incantations were always unsuccessful, I attributed the failure rather to my own inexperience and mistake than to a want of skill or fidelity in my instructors." (Ch.2)
In this quote Victor is saying how his favorite authors had very enticing creations that he hoped to one day accomplish. When he would fail he knew it was just because of his inexperience and he just kept trying.
"So much has been done, exclaimed the soul of Frankenstein—more, far more, will I achieve: treading in the steps already marked, I will pioneer a new way, explore unknown powers, and unfold to the world the deepest mysteries of creation."(Ch.3)
In this quote I think Shelly is trying to show Victors ambitious mind set about how he wants to find and create something that is very deep and mysterious that no one else has done.
“learn from me, if not by my precepts, then by my example, how dangerous is the pursuit of knowledge and how much happier is that man who believes his native town to be the world than he who aspires to be greater than his nature will allow." (Ch.3)
This is a great quote by Shelly, basically it is saying that the pursuit of knowledge can be dangerous because if you try so hard to do something so unnatural it can cause much danger. it is much better to "believe in your native town to be the world."
"These are my enticements, and they are sufficient to conquer all fear of danger or death, and to induce me to commence this laborious voyage with the joy a child feels when he embarks in a little boat, with his holiday mates, on an expedition of discovery up his native river." Letter 1
This quote is by Walton in the first letter, he is explaining the rush that one could get when they finally reach a goal that they have been working toward. He compares it to a child when he embarks in a little boat.
"One man's life or death were but a small price to pay for the acquirement of the knowledge which I sought; for the dominion I should acquire and transmit over the elemental foes of our race." Letter 4
This quote, also by Walton is explaining how he is willing to do almost anything to acquire the knowledge that he sought, even if it was the price of another mans life. This brings us back to how dangerous knowledge can be.