To Herp, or to Derp?

Dr. Frankenstein, a Man too Weak for Genius

Matt Boileau
Due: December 5th, 2012
English 100
Dr. Frankenstein, a Man too Weak for Genius

Victor Frankenstein, a man who after only a couple of years of study managed to crack a mystery none before him had succeeded at doing, providing life to dead tissue. Not only did this allow for dead body parts to be given life, Frankenstein was able to imbue both life and consciousness to a golem of his creation. This is a discovery that even in the 21st century would be a breakthrough, in the 19th it was simply magic. However this miraculous experiment resulted in unprecedented disaster for Frankenstein, much of which could have been avoided had it been handled by a man with the scientific foresight to prepare for the long term repercussions of giving life to an extremely hideous creature of your manufacture.
Frankenstein’s first interest in science was gripped by old philosophy readings of Cornelius Agrippa, Paracelus, and Albertus Magnus (Frankenstein, p.67-68). These authors were quick to be shot down as worthless readings by both Victor’s father during his youth (Frankenstein, p.68), and professor when he travelled to study at Ingolstadt (Frankenstein, p.74). However Frankenstein admits himself he was hesitant to forget about the literature which initially captured his scientific imagination and the fact that these fanciful readings created the base of his scientific desires is very telling. A scientific base that was not built upon true scientific method led Frankenstein to perform an experiment in the manner one of his original heroes might, and eschew the foresight and care associated with properly conducting science. Frankenstein was an extremely superficial and judgemental man, this resulted in him instantly dismissing many people as worthless, such as his professor M. Krempe (Frankenstein, P.75). The university at Ingolstadt is where all of Frankenstein’s contact with fellow science professionals was held, and much of this time was spent solitarily. Any science professional even somewhat experienced knows getting as many opinions on both the broad fundamentals of your experiment, and the specifics of your methodology is extremely valuable. With access to many great scientific minds, Frankenstein had the opportunity to refine his experiment over several years, as well most likely could have received help from the scientific community. However his decision to conduct this experiment in total seclusion led to him not being at all prepared to handle his experiment.
Frankenstein’s hope for his own experiment was evidently quite skewed. The creature, once created, sent him into panic upon its “birth”, simply by the repulsiveness of its appearance (Frankenstein, p.85). Superficiality again crippled Frankenstein and allowed him to discredit his entire experiment almost instantly. Had he approached this with a proper scientific mindset, the reality that attaching various dead parts together probably won’t look good would have been far more expected and prepared for. Frankenstein clearly was hoping for fantastical magic, and was blinded to the magic he himself created, regardless of appearance.
His own repulsion at what most scientists would consider a great success again exemplifies his inability to think in a scientific mindset. Rather than noting what worked, what didn’t, and attempting to improve his data, he was instantly broken by his experiment. Fantasy led him to assume his creature’s intent was malicious, and here began Frankenstein’s downward spiral into depression that continues through the remainder of the book. Not once did Frankenstein take pride in the fact that at slightly over twenty years of age he managed to truly revolutionize the world of science, had he chosen to.

At this point in the story, Victor Frankenstein has become his own worst enemy. Even before any proof of his creatures wrongdoings had surfaced, he convinced himself his creature had the worst of intentions, and that he should suffer as its creator. His hunches were in fact correct, his creature had struck out at his brother specifically to cause harm to the Frankenstein family. Upon learning the full name of young William, the creature took his life as way of revenge. Following this murder was the murder of two of Victor’s closest companions, Henry Clerval, and his childhood friend/future lover Elizabeth. The initial murder of William however is different in motive and execution than the following two. Murdering William was a very in the moment decision, one bred from an encounter that initially had positive intentions; friendship (Frankenstein, p. 156 – 157). Due to the creatures absolute lack of social skills, depression and desperation at this point, he used the only means of persuasion that had been used on him, force. An extended period of time is spent with the creature as he recollects his observations of the Delacey cottage. This scene has several important features in regards to knowledge of the creature’s state soon after his creation, and his following evolution. As the creature first arrives at the cottage, he is presented as a blank slate. The simplest emotions are a mystery to him, and all interactions, and communication is totally unknown. He has no motives either good, or bad. In telling this tale to Frankenstein, Victor did not pick up on the fact that the creature had no malicious intentions, or desires before he had been hatefully and aggressively received everywhere he went. He ultimately uses his creature’s final state to provide motivation for not creating another beast. Had he observed his entire experiment in a scientific, structured mindset, he would have realized his creature was quite stable before being exposed to hate by all sectors of mankind. Another point of interest in the cottage scene is the rate of development the creature experiences. Another scientific triumph completely lost on Frankenstein is the fact he created a creature from dead tissue, that can develop and mature mentally much faster than any other being on the planet. After just several days of watching the cottagers, a creature that didn’t feel, or understand emotion was being moved by the simple pleasure of helping others, and taking pleasure in seeing their happiness (Frankenstein, p.137). The happiest state the creature is in the entire tale is when he is simply helping others, and relishing their appreciation. After just months of observation, the creature had grasped language, reading, family structure and interactions, and even the workings of society. These are findings that would excite any decent science professional, and would ignite the desire to further this discovery. Frankenstein, despite being momentarily moved by the tale, ultimately was consumed by his own fears and faulty logic, and didn’t remedy the situation at the last chance he had to do so. The creature has a single wish of Frankenstein; the desire of a companion as hideous as himself. For a portion of the book, up until the moment he is prepared to create this female companion, he is set on doing it. However upon his creature’s appearance at his secluded cabin where he is conducting this work, he destroys his workings to spite his creation. What ultimately sends him into this fit of destruction? The physical appearance of his monster (Frankenstein, p.191). Yet again superficiality ruled his judgement, and again confusing hideousness and maliciousness he deems his creature vile, and vows to never make another. Simply seeing his creature smile was enough to forever write it off as an evil being, rather than one who had finally found something to be happy about. This is a turning point in their relationship, as the following murders of Frankenstein’s companions are simply out of spite at this point. Unlike the William murder, which was a chance encounter, and an in the moment decision after being aggressively put down by the boy, these murders were pre meditated. Frankenstein decides to dedicate his life to the destruction of the creature, and ultimately fails. However this was not the true failure of Frankenstein, his true failure was not taking pride or joy in his greatest achievement. His true failure was his selfishness, and superficiality in a field where both are useless. His true failure was being a great genius, and a terrible scientist.

Literature Cited

Shelly, Mary. Frankenstein - the original 1818 text. Peterborough, Ontario: Broadview press Ltd, 1999.

Cited: Shelly, Mary. Frankenstein - the original 1818 text. Peterborough, Ontario: Broadview press Ltd, 1999.