Joe Maalouf
Ms. MacLellan
ENG 2D1
January 9th 2015
The monster and the Mariner
The quest for Forbidden Knowledge is a main theme that runs through Mary Shelley's novel Frankenstein. Not only is knowledge important to Victor, knowledge is also important to the Monster. Knowledge is also important to the mariner. Both are about knowledge. Frankenstein is addicted to knowledge in his younger years leading to his creation. The mariner is haunted by knowledge because he must enlighten people on his desolate tale such as the wedding guest. This brings up the Prometheus factor in the book and the poem because they both went past the bounds that humans should go. Victor with the creature and the Mariner with killing the albatross. Another key factor is their isolation. The monster is always being isolated because of his looks, this isolation eats away at him. The Mariner is alone because eventually all his ship mates drop dead and he is left alive to be tormented.
Victor's quest for knowledge is obsessive. Not only does he fail to care for himself during the many years it took to renew his life "I had worked hard for nearly two years, for the sole purpose of infusing life into an inanimate body. For this I had deprived myself of rest and health. I had desired it with an ardour that far exceeded moderation." his obsession forced him to ignore his family and friends. The monster's search for knowledge revolves around his desire to know who he is, who his "father" is, and what it means to be accepted. “Everything is related in them which bears reference to my accursed origin; the whole detail of that series of disgusting circumstances which produced it is set in view; the minutest description of my odious and loathsome person is given, in language which painted your own horrors and rendered mine indelible. I sickened as I read.” The monster seems to be disgusted and scared all at the same time. It seems like the Mariner after killing the albatross is wanting to...