Nature vs. Science
Throughout the novel, Victor constantly seeks solace through nature immediately after multiple traumatic deaths of his family members. The serene beauty of the natural scenery he visits often diminishes his feelings of sadness, worry, and guilt and provides him with a somewhat restored sense of hope in the world. This portrayal of nature as a source of comfort recurs commonly in the genre of Romanticism.
In contrast, the novel also incorporates Victor's immense fascination with the vast opportunities that science supplies. While studying in Ingolstadt, he obsesses over the idea of manipulating life, and isolates himself with his studies to accomplish this feat and expand humanity's power. However, as bringing the dead back to life goes against the natural flow of nature, it is a major Pandora's Box in the field of science. Because of this, nature rejects Victor and punishes him through his creation. The monster harms everyone who he cares about, and although Victor finds momentary comfort from his woes through nature, nature can no longer act as a long-lasting source of protection for him. Instead, the monster often encounters and worries Victor during his nature trips and thus slowly destroys his impression of nature as a serene place of relaxation. By the end of the novel, Victor becomes so consumed by hatred for his creation that his solely wishes to hunt down the monster, no longer depending on nature nor seeking any serenity from it.
Through Victor's story, Shelley may have wanted to warn us of the dangers of the vast power of science. In an era with such rapidly evolving science and technology, the advancements may come sooner than we can prepare our society to deal with the consequences. At the end of the novel, Walton decides to abandon his ambitious, yet dangerous expedition to the North Pole, reflecting on Victor's disastrous mistake of taking too big a risk for science.
In contrast, the novel also incorporates Victor's immense fascination with the vast opportunities that science supplies. While studying in Ingolstadt, he obsesses over the idea of manipulating life, and isolates himself with his studies to accomplish this feat and expand humanity's power. However, as bringing the dead back to life goes against the natural flow of nature, it is a major Pandora's Box in the field of science. Because of this, nature rejects Victor and punishes him through his creation. The monster harms everyone who he cares about, and although Victor finds momentary comfort from his woes through nature, nature can no longer act as a long-lasting source of protection for him. Instead, the monster often encounters and worries Victor during his nature trips and thus slowly destroys his impression of nature as a serene place of relaxation. By the end of the novel, Victor becomes so consumed by hatred for his creation that his solely wishes to hunt down the monster, no longer depending on nature nor seeking any serenity from it.
Through Victor's story, Shelley may have wanted to warn us of the dangers of the vast power of science. In an era with such rapidly evolving science and technology, the advancements may come sooner than we can prepare our society to deal with the consequences. At the end of the novel, Walton decides to abandon his ambitious, yet dangerous expedition to the North Pole, reflecting on Victor's disastrous mistake of taking too big a risk for science.
Victor has too much interest in science!
His obsession for alchemy has interfered
with the natural flow of nature; now he has
to undertake the consequences through me.
His obsession for alchemy has interfered
with the natural flow of nature; now he has
to undertake the consequences through me.