Frankenstein as interpreted by Will Palmeri
Frankenstein is a novel that revolves around the theme of anatomy, life, death, human relationships, and most importantly, “Life at All Costs”. It focuses on Victor Frankenstein’s ecstatic pursuit of life. The man’s obsession, however, leads to the abandoning of his entire social life, and results in the creation of a being some might call a monster. Although his experiment does not start off as a violent creature, his attitude changes when he becomes rejected by humans. This is because the monster was not made with the ability to understand human interaction. Being the dedicated scientist he is, Frankenstein created the monster with the biological intention of proving that humans can create life. He did not, in a sense, "program" the monster to be able to blend in with the world around him. He comes to realize, after observing the monster's abnormal behavior, that his quest for life is an impossible one. He cannot bring himself to continue his experiments. "Shall I create another like yourself, whose joint wickedness might desolate the world. Begone!" (Shelley 124).
The idea of "Life at All Costs" is visible with the mindsets of all soldiers who fight to protect their countries. The idea that men and women are risking their lives may sound contradictory, but in fact these people are willing to make the ultimate sacrifice to secure peace and happiness for all citizens who occupy their nations. Although it may be portrayed in a different manner, both Frankenstein and military men and women follow the same path to preserve life at all costs.
3 comments:
You make a great point but the quote only really applies to the last part of that paragraph.
But do the soldiers have an obsession for life? Victor Frankenstein was obsessed with creating it I don't think it's the same with the soldiers.
No Owen, the soldiers wouldn't have the same obsession for creating life that Frankenstein did; however, they do risk their lives on the battlefield to ensure that the lives of the citizens of the country the defend are kept safe. I believe that Mr. Horner explained in class that when we write about someone or a group of people, they don't necessarily have to have the same goal as the main protagonist of the Gothic novel we chose to read.
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