Frankenstein Morality Essay, Research Paper

People, honored by people, have questioned it and revered since the beginning of

time. Yet even today not one person can say what is morally right. It is a

matter of opinion. It was Dr. Victor Frankenstein’s opinion that it was alright

to create a "monster". Frankenstein’s creation needed a companion.

Knowing that his first creation was evil should the doctor make a second? With

the knowledge at hand, to Dr. Frankenstein, it is not at all morally correct to

bring another monster into the world. Looking at this problem with his family in

mind, the doctor begins his work on the second monster. The first monster

threatened Frankenstein and even his family. The monster angrily said to

Frankenstein, "I can make you so wretched." (pg. 162) Trying to scare

Frankenstein for not creating his mate the monster resorted to threats. If the

good doctor does create a companion for his first creation he may be endangering

others. "The miserable monster whom I had created," (pg.152) says

Victor upon looking back at his work. If there is another monster there will be

twice the power and possibly twice the evil, which could hurt or kill his

family. When and if Frankenstein commits the moral sin of creating another

monster he may be rid of both monsters forever. "With the companion you

bestow I will quit the neighborhood of man,"(pg 142) promises the morally

corrupt monster to the doctor upon the completion of his partner. When the

doctor, if and when he, finished his first creation’s mate there is a chance

that the monsters will not keep their promise and stay in Europe evoking fear

into town folk. The good doctor, trying to act morally, destroys the monster for

the good of the world. The monsters can potentially take over whatever they

please. "A race of devils would be propagated,"(pg. 163) thinks

Frankenstein to himself in his study. The monsters, if powerful enough, could

possibly take over Europe. Frankenstein realizes that he cannot possibly doom

the world to benefit himself. "Shall I, in cold blood, set loose upon the

earth a daemon.."(pg. 162) argues Frankenstein with his creation. It is not

morally right for one person to unleash such a terror on the world to benefit

only himself and his family. Frankenstein will not let any example change his

mind on the point that the monster is and will always be morally corrupt.

Continuing on his point that the monster was too evil to duplicate, Frankenstein

says, "Your threats cannot move me to do an act of wickedness; but they

confirm me in determination of not creating you a companion in vice."( pg.

163) Frankenstein will not sacrifice his morality because of persuasion from a

monster. Although beholding the threat of death and misery Frankenstein held his

ground and did not sacrifice his moral. When and if Frankenstein creates another

monster he cannot feel as if he has done the morally right thing. From creating

the monster Frankenstein will some how be making people other than himself

unhappy. " I consent to your demand, on your solemn oath to quite Europe

forever, and every other place in the neighborhood of man,"(pg. 143) says

Frankenstein as he sees the power that the two could possibly possess. The good

doctor sees that with his own hands he could possibly scar the world forever.

The doctor wants, if anyone, himself to be unhappy instead of all of mankind.

"Begone! I do break my promise," (pg. 162) states the doctor angrily.

Not thinking about himself but the world unselfishly breaks his promise to the

monster. Possessing such a great mind the doctor is able to realize that a

greater evil will be released upon the earth then upon himself. "Your

threats cannot move me to do an act of wickedness,"(pg. 162) says the

doctor as he argues his point with his creation. The doctor sees that a greater

and more horrible result can come from him making the second monster than not.

With the knowledge at hand, to Dr.Frankenstein, it is not at all morally correct

to bring another monster into the world. On the one hand if the second monster

was created Frankenstein’s family would be saved. By the same token the rest of

the world could be forced to bow before two hideous monsters. The problem,

making or not making the second monster, played heavily on Frankenstein’s mind,

possibly caused his brief lapse into the realm of the insane. Even though

Frankenstein began his work for the good of man his experiment ended up hurting

himself and his family.