The Tree of Knowledge in Frankenstein by Mary Shelley Essays -- Franke

The Tree of Knowledge in Frankenstein by bloody shame ShelleyIn Frankenstein, Mary Shelley warns that with the advent of attainment,natural philosophic questioning is not only futile, but dangerous.In attempting to discover the mysteries of life, Frankenstein assumesthat he can buoy act as God. He disrupts the natural order, and chaosensues.Mary Shelley goes to great lengths to emphasize the beauty and orderof life when slice engages in natural pursuits. She idealizesFrankensteins home life I feel exquisite sport in dwelling onthe recollections of childhood, before misfortune had tainted my creative thinker(38). His family is orderly and wonderful. Clervals presence broughtback to my thoughts my father, Elizabeth, and all those scenes of homeso in force(p) to my recollectionI felt suddenly, and for the first timeduring many months, placid and serene joy (58). Shelley also stressesthat man should feel at unity with nature, not at odds with it Whenhappy, inanimate nature had t he power of bestowing on me the mostdelightful sensations (68).Certain occupations allow man to be at one with nature and his fellowcreatures. Shelley feels that science should be useful and proficientto mankind. Clerval, a clearly pure and benevolent character, studieslanguages. He loves poetry. These disciplines allow man to help othersand glorify nature without questioning it. In childhood,Frankensteins studies contained bright visions of emolument (38)I betook myself to the maths, and the branches of studyappertaining to that science, as being built upon secure foundations,and so worthy of consideration (41).But Frankensteins interests soon turned away from mathematics hespeaks of his change of mind as i... ...gnorant art thou in thy pride of wisdomCease you know not what it is you say (194)Frankenstein has in conclusion learned his lesson. Or has he? After hisexcruciating pains and hardship, Frankensteins last words are Ihave myself been blasted in these hopes, in time a nother may succeed(210). Unless Frankenstein is referring to beneficial, pragmaticscientific knowledge, then he has not yet acknowledged that man cannotknow the secrets of nature. Shelley means his nett words to be awarning to the reader. Mans growing ambition and judgement willrender him desperate to discover the deepest mysteries of lifeit is a demanding task to halt this ambition. But this ambition is greaterthan mans intellect. He can never know all, though he aspires toheaven. Until he realizes his limitations, the spread of science canonly lead to chaos and destruction.