Responsibility in Frankenstein
By Tristan Howle
Quote 1
"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." Chapter 4, pg. 38
This quote has to do with responsibility in a sense that Victor has made a mistake trying to do the impossible and try and bring back the dead. His idea that he wanted to create a new intelligent human species didn't go according to plan and he is giving his insight. This is also a reference from the Rhyme of the Ancient Mariner with the idea that people have made mistakes and they will need to learn from them.
This quote has to do with responsibility in a sense that Victor has made a mistake trying to do the impossible and try and bring back the dead. His idea that he wanted to create a new intelligent human species didn't go according to plan and he is giving his insight. This is also a reference from the Rhyme of the Ancient Mariner with the idea that people have made mistakes and they will need to learn from them.
Quote 2
"A flash of lightning illuminated the object and discovered its shape plainly to me; its gigantic stature, and the deformity of its aspect, more hideous than belongs to humanity, instantly informed me that it was the wretch, the filthy demon to whom [he] had given life." Chapter 7, pg. 60
This quote has to do with responsibility because he one day, even though he didn't want to, had this urge to meet the wretch he created so it was almost fate that had taken responsibility to make them meet.
This quote has to do with responsibility because he one day, even though he didn't want to, had this urge to meet the wretch he created so it was almost fate that had taken responsibility to make them meet.
Quote 3
"He beheld those he loved spend vain sorrow upon the graves of William and Justine, the first hapless victims to his unhallowed arts." Chapter 8, pg. 73
This is an example of responsibility because he was responsible for making the monster and now he is paying for it.
This is an example of responsibility because he was responsible for making the monster and now he is paying for it.
Quote 4
"'All men hate the wretched; how then, must I be hated, who am miserable beyond all living things! Yet you, my creator, detest and spurn me, they creature, to whom thou art bound by ties only dissoluble by the annihilation of one of us.'" Chapter 10, pg. 83
This is an example of responsibility because Victor created the monster for his own good not knowing that it would harm for the monster in the process.
This is an example of responsibility because Victor created the monster for his own good not knowing that it would harm for the monster in the process.
Quote 5
"'You can blast my other passions, but revenge remains -- revenge, henceforth dearer than light of food! I may die, but first you, my tyrant and tormentor, shall curse the sun that gazes on your misery.'" Chapter 20, pg. 153
Victor feels he needs to take responsibility for his own actions and end the monster once and for all.
Victor feels he needs to take responsibility for his own actions and end the monster once and for all.
Quote 6
"Great God! If for one instant I had thought what might be the hellish intention of my fiendish adversary, I would rather have banished myself forever from my native country and wandered a friendless outcast over the earth than have consented to this miserable marriage. But, as if possessed of magic powers, the monster had blinded me to his real intentions; and when I thought that I had prepared only my own death, I hastened that of a far dearer victim." Chapter 22, pg. 174-5
Victor felt in pain because he was responsible for his wife dying because the monster wanted revenge so he took it out on another loved one of Victor.
Victor felt in pain because he was responsible for his wife dying because the monster wanted revenge so he took it out on another loved one of Victor.
Quote 7
"'In a fit of enthusiastic madness I created a rational creature and was bound towards him to assure, as far as was in my power, his happiness and well-being . . . I refused, and I did right in refusing, to create a companion for the first creature. He showed unparalleled malignity and selfishness in evil; he destroyed my friends . . . Miserable himself that he may render no other wretched, he ought to die. The task of his destruction was mine, but I have failed.'" Chapter 24, pg. 199-200
Victor felt like he wanted to kill the monster but he couldn't do it because he couldn't get the courage to do it so he is taken more responsibility for more death of loved ones.
Victor felt like he wanted to kill the monster but he couldn't do it because he couldn't get the courage to do it so he is taken more responsibility for more death of loved ones.
Modern Responsibility
There are many ways people can be responsible today as opposed to Victor in Frankenstein.
1. One way is to pick a big issue, declare a clear goal, and mobilize your resources. Corporations become successful because they identify problems, allocate resources to uncover and deliver solutions, and are accountable for what happens. The role of business in social change should be no different. Tyson Foods, one of the world’s largest producers of meat and poultry, has a social goal of ending hunger. Through its KNOW hunger program, Tyson donates to food banks and increases awareness of hunger issues on a large scale. At the end of 2010, Tyson had donated 78 million pounds of protein—enough to serve one meal to every American citizen.
2. Make more effort to engage the millennials in your workforce. Employees of this generation want to be rewarded in ways that go beyond compensation and expect their employers to support their interest in social change. These employees also want to apply what they know to issues that they’re passionate about.
3. Engage your naysayers. Corporations that include the perspectives of advocacy organizations create opportunities to make meaningful changes.
4. Begin to allocate some of your company’s philanthropic giving to social purpose businesses and/or social enterprises. This will establish a base of social investment the results of which can be quantified while you preserve philanthropic commitments that are meaningful to employees and stakeholders.
1. One way is to pick a big issue, declare a clear goal, and mobilize your resources. Corporations become successful because they identify problems, allocate resources to uncover and deliver solutions, and are accountable for what happens. The role of business in social change should be no different. Tyson Foods, one of the world’s largest producers of meat and poultry, has a social goal of ending hunger. Through its KNOW hunger program, Tyson donates to food banks and increases awareness of hunger issues on a large scale. At the end of 2010, Tyson had donated 78 million pounds of protein—enough to serve one meal to every American citizen.
2. Make more effort to engage the millennials in your workforce. Employees of this generation want to be rewarded in ways that go beyond compensation and expect their employers to support their interest in social change. These employees also want to apply what they know to issues that they’re passionate about.
3. Engage your naysayers. Corporations that include the perspectives of advocacy organizations create opportunities to make meaningful changes.
4. Begin to allocate some of your company’s philanthropic giving to social purpose businesses and/or social enterprises. This will establish a base of social investment the results of which can be quantified while you preserve philanthropic commitments that are meaningful to employees and stakeholders.