Keesha and Lewis on Science and Responsibility
in Literature (Frankenstein by Mary Shelley) and Life - English 112

Keesha to Classmates

Dear Classmates,
Science can be very promising to us as a people. We hope that one day scientist are able to perform great tasks, such as finding cures to various diseases and maybe even, one day vacationing in outer space. At the same time science can be horrific and questionable, such as chemical warfare or the cloning of human beings. Victor Frankenstein shows us this promise, while at the same time revealing that horror that can go hand and hand with it.

Frankenstein was obsessed with the "physical secrets" of nature and the world. "What had been the study and desire of the wisest men since the creation of the world, was now within my grasp" (36). With the feeling that we have greater possibilities than what was currently known, Frankenstein sets off to achieve his goal. Just as man did in the past, he is now trying to explore the unknown. Frankenstein felt he could do what others could not, create life unlike any one had ever done before.

Scientists have hence wanted to attempt to create life for years. Life has been created in laboratories, test tube babies and invetro fertilization. Frankenstein's project, his education and his subsequent behavior could suggest that science can be quite promising. However, sometimes with science as with other aspects in life one must think not only, can this be done, but should this be done as well.
Sincerely, Keesha

Lewis to Classmates

Dear Classmates,
Victor's project suggests about the promise and potential of science and technology that he believed and had faith in this field. Victor was impressed and inspired by this new somewhat new area of study. His education suggested that science and technology had a lot to offer at this point in history. He was very well educated and dedicated to this field of study. Discovery was the main goal of many in that time and education was the fastest road there. Victor felt that it was his responsibility to be the pioneer.

Finally, his behavior is one of the biggest suggestions of the promise and potential of science and technology. He had a determination and an eagerness to make his creation a success. Very apparent in this line; "but I did not watch the blossom or the expanding leaves--sights which before always yielded me supreme delight--so deeply was I engrossed in my occupation. The leaves of that year had withered before my work drew near to a close; and now every day showed me more plainly how well I had succeeded."(p.43) He badly wanted to be successful, so badly that he didn't think about the consequences of how the creation would react to itself and its new environment.
Sincerely, Lewis

Keesha to Lewis

Dear Lewis,
You have expressed that Victor was inspired by this new area of study and had faith in the field of science. I agree that he wanted to succeed so badly that no, he did not consider the consequences too strongly. Victor was obsessed with the mysteries of life and wanted to explore those secret in depth. I also believe that he had something to prove. After creating a monster at some point Victor realizes that this may have been a mistake. Science is very promising. Just as Victor had succeed in what may have been thought to be impossible, science can sometimes perform great wonders. And just as Victor had regrets, scientists should consider the consequences of their actions before attempting some things. For the most part I believe most scientists now and in Victor's time do consider those things, however some are just driven by a force that is beyond the need to learn, and they too are trying to prove something to the world, regardless of the results.
Sincerely, Keesha

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