Should Victor Make Decisions in Frankenstein?

Mary Shelley’s “Frankenstein” dives into big themes like creation, responsibility, and what happens when things go wrong. Victor Frankenstein, the main guy, is this scientist who decides to create life, pushing the boundaries of what’s natural. Should he be making these decisions? It’s not an easy question. We have to think about morals, ethics, and what it means to be responsible. Victor’s choices move the story along, but whether he’s right or wrong is up for debate.

To get it, we need to look at why he does what he does, what happens because of it, and the moral stuff Shelley puts into the story.

Victor’s first big choice to create life comes from his curiosity and ambition. He’s inspired by old alchemists and new science ideas. He wants to figure out life and death. This reflects the Enlightenment era’s love for reason and science. But when he decides to bring his creature to life, he doesn’t think ahead. He doesn’t really consider what giving life to a bunch of dead parts means or the responsibilities that come with it. His pride blinds him to possible disasters.

Right after Victor brings the creature to life, things start going downhill. The creature isn’t the amazing thing he imagined but something ugly and misunderstood. Victor freaks out and abandons it. This sets off a tragic chain of events. The creature, looking for acceptance, becomes angry and vengeful when everyone rejects it. Victor’s decision to leave his creation alone shows his deep irresponsibility. Shelley uses this to talk about the creator’s duty to their creation, exploring the ethical side of scientific discovery and the moral duties of those with power.

Victor’s decisions have lots of ethical problems. Creating life without a plan for how the creature will fit into society or thinking about its well-being shows the dangers of unchecked scientific ambition. Shelley’s book is a warning about science moving faster than morality. Victor’s later decision not to make a companion for the creature makes things worse. He’s scared of creating more monsters, but this seals his and his loved ones’ fates. Victor’s failure to see the consequences of his actions or take responsibility is a big flaw Shelley criticizes. Through Victor’s sad story, Shelley questions the ethical limits of human effort and the duties that come with great power.

So, should Victor be making these decisions? It’s a tough call that involves deep ethical and moral thoughts. His choice to create life is driven by ambition and curiosity but lacks ethical thinking and responsibility. The bad outcomes of his actions show the need to think about the moral side of scientific progress. Victor’s story is a strong reminder of the duties that come with creation and the dangers of ignoring them. Shelley’s novel is a deep look at human ambition and the moral questions that pop up when we try to go beyond natural limits. In the end, Victor’s choices and what happens because of them offer a timeless lesson on the importance of ethics in the chase for knowledge.

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