11/28/09
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Essay #1 (Revision): Frankenstein
An inspiring voice in early 19th century European literature, authoring the timely piece, Frankenstein, Mary Shelley inquires into an array of thought-provoking affairs that, with acknowledgment to the time being, remain largely unaddressed. Victor Frankenstein, on whom the novel is primarily focused, sets forth making sense of nature’s unexplained mysteries--life and death--by dabbling with and eventually manipulating their structural core. This curiosity which helps shape Victor‘s research, however, comes not as a mere coincident. Throughout mankind’s history, individuals have embarked upon journeys into vast unknowns, while being fueled by a dynamic interest. Take, for instance, the 1500 B.C. Varanasi physician, Sushruta, at times anointed as the “father of Surgery”, whose medical contributions have lead to a focal point in modern day surgery, saving and improving the quality of countless lives. Ordinary humans who achieve extraordinary undertakings, the likes of which partly resemble God’s own work--as one vaguely understands that to be--can be witnessed by Victor’s push to uncharted lengths. The need for Victor to transcend beyond those in the scientific world, whose ideas and inventions have come before his, perhaps seeking to reach a God-like ranking of which no mortal has ever dreamt, seems all too farfetched, but not entirely unheard of. Without ambition, egocentrism, and an unyielding desire to tear down past barriers, history leads one to understand, human nature itself rarely finds the satisfaction necessary to stand idly by. Victor, in turn, symbolizes this never-ending cycle of human conquest. However, there comes a point where, in attempting to understand life’s many enigmas through science, the researcher may begin to lose sight of his pursuits, possibly stemming from unforeseeable circumstances that occur with testing. Such is the case with Victor Frankenstein....