Fall of Man Through Knowledge (comparison of Frankenstien and Genesis)
Throughout history, man has been fascinated with the origins of life. Questions like, “where did we come from?” and “ how were we created?” have been asked for ages. We have even fantasized about creating life ourselves and the never-ending quest for knowledge pursues to this day. Genesis reflects how one ancient people explained not only their own beginnings, but also the creation of the world. The first few chapters also introduce the “fall” of humanity. We were created along with the rest of the world and were in paradise, until the opportunity to gain knowledge arose. “And the serpent said to the woman, ‘you shall not be doomed to die. For God knows that on the day you eat of [the fruit from the tree in the midst of the garden] your eyes will be opened and will become as gods knowing good and evil’” (ch.3, 4-5). Man chose knowledge, which led to his downfall. In my opinion this theme of man’s search for knowledge ultimately leading to “fall” of humanity is also present in Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein. Both texts are similar in that they serve as warnings for foolish quests for knowledge and power. Shelly wrote in her introduction, “Frightful must it be for supremely frightful would be
The meaning of knowledge and its pursuit is evident throughout the novel. Innocence is lost and experience is gained which leads to an increase in knowledge and the attainment of wisdom ultimately leads to the decay of man. The creature, after being abandoned by Frankenstein, admits that he was “benevolent and good”, but because of his environment and rejection by man he became a “miserable, unhappy wretch”. His attainment of knowledge led to his demise as well. The creature knew of the negative effects of his knowledge, stating for example, “Of what a strange nature is knowledge! It clings to the mind, when it has once seized on it, like a lichen on the rock. I wished sometimes to shake off all thought and feeling” (85). The creature had a point, then, when he said, “Of what a strange nature is knowledge.” Victor gains knowledge through science whereas the creature gains knowledge through empiricism. There appears to be a conflict between knowledge through experience or empiricism and wisdom gained through the scientific method. Although both stories are fiction, they can be set as a warning to all mankind on the dangers of trying to play God and tampering with life. Even today, many people feel that the answers to all our problems are through science, and much like Frankenstein we aim to create life ourselves. Unless we consider the consequences of our actions, we could end up like Victor or even the creature. Victor creates the monster through science, but he realizes the consequences though experience. Ultimately, the search wisdom no matter how it is gained leads to the “fall” of humanity in both Genesis and Frankenstein. the effect of any human endeavor to mock the stupendous mechanism
Some topics in this essay:
Eve Eden,
,
Adam Eve,
Paradise Lost,
Shelley’s Frankenstein,
Eve Victor,
Victor Frankenstein,
adam eve,
creature victor,
Genesis God,
“fall” humanity,
Genesis Frankenstein,
adam eve eden,
gained leads,
attainment knowledge,
create life,
consequences actions,
creation world,
whereas creature,
consider consequences actions,
“of strange nature,
humanity genesis,
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Approximate Word count = 1174
Approximate Pages = 5 (250 words per page double spaced)
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