Morality In Dr Victor Frankenstein Essay, Research Paper

Morality of Dr. Victor Frankenstein

With the cloning of life forms and genetic engineering now commonplace, the

question of the morality of the actions of Dr. Frankenstein is now more

important than ever. Perhaps lessons can be learned from the novel,

Frankenstein, that can be applied in today?s technologically advanced world.

It was Dr. Victor Frankenstein’s opinion that it was morally acceptable to

give life to his creation. Frankenstein’s creation then 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 probelm 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 neighbourhood 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 envoking fear into townfolk.

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 propegated,"(pg. 163) thinks Frankenstein to

himself in his study. The monsters, if powerful enough, could possibly take over

Europe. Frankenstein

realizes that he can not possibly doom the world to benefit himself.

"Shall I, in coold 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

corupt. 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 morallity because of persuation 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 can not 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 solem oath to quite Europe forever, and every other place in the

neighbourhood 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 man kind. "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 realesed 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. Even

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

hurting himself, his family, and society. Let us pray that this pattern is not

repeated with the current work in cloning and genetic engineering.