Frankenstein vs. God
No Human Can Play God
In the Bible, the book of Genesis 1:27 states that "God created humankind in his image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them." Creating both men and women in His image, God is the only person who can do this successfully, giving us unconditional love and never abandoning us throughout our journey in life. On the other hand, Victor Frankenstein, a young scientist creates a life form due to his love of natural sciences. His desire to create this life form only for an experimental purpose unknowingly leads to disastrous outcomes for both Victor Frankenstein and his creation, the monster. In Mary Shelley's novel, Frankenstein, the protagonist, Victor Frankenstein uses his knowledge where he violates ethical principles by playing God and creating a life form that he is ultimately ashamed of.
After his mother dies, Frankenstein attends a university in Ingolstadt, where Professor M. Krempe influences him to change his major from alchemy to the study of natural philosophy. Throughout Frankenstein's study of natural philosophy, he becomes "acquainted with the science of anatomy: but this was not sufficient, [he] must also observe the natural decay and corruption of the human body" (Shelley 30). Frankenstein's obsession with the study of anatomy causes him to isolate himself in his apartment from family, friends, and society and slowly develop the creation of a creature, imagining the creation of a new race of wonderful beings. The creation of the monster to Frankenstein is an "initial romantic animation slowly eroded by the materialism of his construction, alienating him from the rest of humanity and transforming him into nothing more than a metaphor of the rampant scientific hubris seen in himself" (Willis 6). Because Victor knows that he is capable of creating a life form, this experiment came from both his knowledge and arrogance. This experiment places him out of society and in isolation for months,
In the Bible, the book of Genesis 1:27 states that "God created humankind in his image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them." Creating both men and women in His image, God is the only person who can do this successfully, giving us unconditional love and never abandoning us throughout our journey in life. On the other hand, Victor Frankenstein, a young scientist creates a life form due to his love of natural sciences. His desire to create this life form only for an experimental purpose unknowingly leads to disastrous outcomes for both Victor Frankenstein and his creation, the monster. In Mary Shelley's novel, Frankenstein, the protagonist, Victor Frankenstein uses his knowledge where he violates ethical principles by playing God and creating a life form that he is ultimately ashamed of.
After his mother dies, Frankenstein attends a university in Ingolstadt, where Professor M. Krempe influences him to change his major from alchemy to the study of natural philosophy. Throughout Frankenstein's study of natural philosophy, he becomes "acquainted with the science of anatomy: but this was not sufficient, [he] must also observe the natural decay and corruption of the human body" (Shelley 30). Frankenstein's obsession with the study of anatomy causes him to isolate himself in his apartment from family, friends, and society and slowly develop the creation of a creature, imagining the creation of a new race of wonderful beings. The creation of the monster to Frankenstein is an "initial romantic animation slowly eroded by the materialism of his construction, alienating him from the rest of humanity and transforming him into nothing more than a metaphor of the rampant scientific hubris seen in himself" (Willis 6). Because Victor knows that he is capable of creating a life form, this experiment came from both his knowledge and arrogance. This experiment places him out of society and in isolation for months,
Cited: Bloom, Harold. "Frankenstein: or, The New Prometheus." 4 Fall 1965: 611 – 618. Gale, 2003. Discovering Collection. Gale Group. Chaminade High School 15 September 2006 Shelley, Mary Wollstonecraft. Frankenstein New York: Norton 1996 Small, Christopher. "The Monster Modeled on Milton 's Adam" Readings on Frankenstein. Greenhaven Press, Inc. San Diego 2000 Willis, Martin, "Frankenstein and the Soul." Vol. XLV. EXPLORING Novels. Online Edition. Gale, 2003. Discovering Collection. Thomson Gale. 11 September 2006