Morality In Dr Victor Frankenstein Essay, Research Paper
Morality of Dr. Victor Frankenstein
With the cloning of life forms and genetic engineering now commonplace, the
question of the morality of the actions of Dr. Frankenstein is now more
important than ever. Perhaps lessons can be learned from the novel,
Frankenstein, that can be applied in today?s technologically advanced world.
It was Dr. Victor Frankenstein’s opinion that it was morally acceptable to
give life to his creation. Frankenstein’s creation then needed a companion.
Knowing that his first creation was evil should the doctor make a second? With
the knowledge at hand, to Dr. Frankenstein, it is not at all morally correct to
bring another monster into the world.
Looking at this probelm with his family in mind, the doctor begins his work
on the second monster. The first monster threatened Frankenstein and even his
family. The monster angrily said to Frankenstein, «I can make you so
wretched.» (pg. 162) Trying to scare Frankenstein for not creating his mate
the monster resorted to threats. If the good doctor does create a companion for
his first creation he may be endangering others. «The miserable monster
whom I had created,» (pg.152) says Victor upon looking back at his work. If
there is another monster there will be twice the power and possibly twice the
evil, which could hurt or kill his family. When and if Frankenstein commits the
moral sin of creating another monster he may be rid of both monsters forever.
«With the companion you bestow I will quit the neighbourhood of
man,»(pg 142) promises the morally corrupt monster to the doctor upon the
completion of his partner. When the doctor, if and when he, finished his first
creation’s mate there is a chance that the monsters will not keep their promise
and stay in Europe envoking fear into townfolk.
The good doctor, trying to act morally, destroys the monster for the good of
the world. The monsters can potentially take over whatever they please. «A
race of devils would be propegated,»(pg. 163) thinks Frankenstein to
himself in his study. The monsters, if powerful enough, could possibly take over
Europe. Frankenstein
realizes that he can not possibly doom the world to benefit himself.
«Shall I, in coold blood, set loose upon the earth a daemon..»(pg.
162) argues Frankenstein with his creation. It is not morally right for one
person to unleash such a terror on the world to benefit only himself and his
family. Frankenstein will not let any example
change his mind on the point that the monster is and will always be morally
corupt. Continuing on his point that the monster was too evil to duplicate,
Frankenstein says, «Your threats cannot move me to do an act of wickedness;
but they confirm me in determination of not creating you a companion in
vice.»( pg. 163) Frankenstein will not
sacrifice his morallity because of persuation from a monster. Although
beholding the threat of death and misery Frankenstein held his ground and did
not sacrifice his moral.
When and if Frankenstein creates another monster he can not feel as if he has
done the morally right thing. From creating the monster Frankenstein will some
how be making people other than himself unhappy. " I consent to your
demand, on your solem oath to quite Europe forever, and every other place in the
neighbourhood of man,"(pg. 143) says Frankenstein as he sees the power that
the two could possibly possess. The good doctor sees that with his own hands he
could possibly scar the world forever. The doctor wants, if anyone, himself to
be unhappy instead of all of man kind. «Begone! I
do break my promise,» (pg. 162) states the doctor angrily. Not thinking
about himself but the world unselfishly breaks his promise to the monster.
Possessing such a great mind the doctor is able to realize that a greater evil
will be realesed upon the earth then upon
himself. «Your threats cannot move me to do an act of
wickedness,»(pg. 162) says the doctor as he argues his point with his
creation. The doctor sees that a greater and more horrible result can come from
him making the second monster than not.
With the knowledge at hand, to Dr.Frankenstein, it is not at all morally
correct to bring another monster into the world. On the one hand if the second
monster was created Frankenstein’s family would be saved. By the same token the
rest of the world could be forced to bow before two hideous monsters. Even
though Frankenstein began his work for the good of man his experiment ended up
hurting himself, his family, and society. Let us pray that this pattern is not
repeated with the current work in cloning and genetic engineering.