Frankenstein by Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley is an 1818 novel. It covers many themes relevant to life today – technology, dangerous knowledge, family, alienation and ambition. It combines some real research with speculation, and the pursuit of knowledge is at its core. Science and technology as the main plot line. It shows how Victor Frankenstein goes beyond what’s acceptable. His experiment results in the destruction of everyone he loves. The novel is a great example of what can happen when the potential offered by science and technology is subverted.
Technology and ‘dangerous’ knowledge
At medical school, Victor Frankenstein spends months figuring out how to reanimate dead tissue with electricity. When he manages to bring his creature to life, he is shocked because of its monstrous appearance. He abandons it rather than dealing with the consequences of his actions. Victor falls into a fever, and when he recovers, he learns that the creature murdered his younger brother, William and an innocent woman was blamed and executed. This brings across the fact that technology has the potential to be dangerous and destructive if used unwisely. When we consider how technology is changing the world nowadays, it’s important to take this into account.
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Alienation
When Victor encounters his creature one day on a walk in the mountains, he learns that it has tried to connect with other human beings but they have rejected him. It strangled William because he showed his fear. The creature realizes that it will never be accepted by humans.
Frankenstein, too, becomes alienated from his family. He can’t tell anyone about his experiment, and his laboratory begins to feel like a prison cell. His alienation means he makes some bad decisions, and his ambition starts to grow. The novel suggests that alienation can cause evil and be the punishment for it.
The possible consequences of unwise experiments
The monster asks Frankenstein to make a female companion for him. Frankenstein agrees, but when the female is almost complete, he starts worrying about what could happen if they reproduced. He destroys his new creation, and the monster vows revenge. Victor chases him obsessively and drives himself to death doing so. The monster is left alone in the world with his self-hatred, and his alienation is complete.
Ambition
Chasing knowledge and ambition can be destructive qualities, and in Frankenstein, this is easy to see. Victor Frankenstein compares his ambition to ambitions that brought about the destruction of nations. He also says his ambition makes him like Satan. The character of Walton in the novel shows that it is possible to be ambitious and yet put duty ahead of it. Victor’s ambition is dangerous because he puts it ahead of his responsibilities to others. This is another warning we would do well to heed with the importance of technological development in human life.
What is technology?
Technology is systems or programs that remedy a problem in society by using applied science and math. Computers, robots, tablets and printers are some examples of modern technology. Artificial intelligence, smart homes and cities and quantum encryption are some examples of futuristic technologies.
The impact of technology on modern society
There are many benefits of technology in modern society, but we do need to be aware of its dangers. Some people believe that technological advancements have had a negative impact on people’s lives. Many others believe they have improved the quality of life.
Improved communication: Society and technology are intricately linked. Advances in technology are changing the way we communicate. We can talk to others all over the world using email, Whatsapp, Twitter etc. Interacting on a global scale is possible without even leaving our homes. Satellite systems have changed the way we exchange information. Media allows us to see global events as they are happening.
Enhanced education: Today, access to knowledge is easy with Google search at our fingertips. Schools and universities are integrating technology to make learning more interactive and engaging. Online learning gives many more students access to education.
Automation: Automation means mundane, routine tasks can be easily completed, and humans can spend their time on more important tasks that require critical thinking.
Online activities: During the pandemic, online shopping has become more popular than ever. Many people now do their shopping online and can buy just about anything they want from online stores. They can also go online for entertainment. All that’s required is a mobile phone and internet access.
Improved health care: Technology is enabling many improvements in health care. People are increasingly using healthcare apps to monitor and improve their health. Online portals at health care institutions allow patients to access their medical records.
Conclusion
With all the advances in technology today, we are increasingly dependent on it in our daily lives. It has had a profound impact on human lives. There are many ways in which it has made life more convenient and enjoyable. However, as we learn from the novel Frankenstein, lessons show us that when it is abused, it has the potential to have terrible consequences. There are dangers of secrecy, isolation, ambition and irresponsibility towards others when pushing the boundaries of science and technology.