Ulloa

Lisbeth Ulloa

Professor Elfers-Mabil

Masterpieces of Literature II

31 March 2017

The Power of Science

An American science educator by the name of Bill Nye once said, Science is the key to

our future, and if you dont believe in science, then youre holding everybody back. Science is

filled with new information and un answered questions that leave us wondering. Our unanswered

questions leave us wondering about new scientific discoveries that can impact the future. For

example, these new discoveries by scientists may be a new scientific method of creating life or a

new way of living life longer. As Bill Nye stated, science is the key to our future, there are

many discoveries waiting to be found by scientists that can open up new beginnings down the

road.

As a matter of fact, a piece of literature where a new form of creating life is presented

occurs in the novel Frankenstein by Mary Shelley. Throughout this novel many surprising and

creative moments occur. For instance, Shelley explains how the creation of Frankenstein has

brought nothing but trouble and fear in the novel. Shelly describes the monster to be hideous and

frightening. In chapter 5 Shelly states His yellow skin scarcely covered the work of muscles and

arteries beneath; his hair was of a lustrous black, and flowing; his teeth of a pearly whiteness; but

these luxuriances only formed a more horrid contrast with his watery eyes, that seemed almost

of the same color as the dun-white sockets in which they were set, his shriveled complexion and

straight black lips. (56) In chapter 23, Victor Frankensteins experiment has even killed his wife

Elizabeth. When Victor Frankenstein observes a horrific figure in a chamber, he notices its his
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wife while A grin was on the face of the monster; he seemed to jeer, as with his fiendish finger

he pointed towards the corpse of [his] wife. (166)

With science, you never know what to expect and Victor Frankensteins experiment is a

great example. Creating life differently has caused chaos and harm to many citizens in the 18th

century. Because the monster was not properly raised and abandoned, the monster has no idea of

what is morally right or wrong. The way the monster was built sets him aside from humans. He

was built with characteristics that humans do not have and is considered different because of his

appearance. Due to the fact that he has no connection with humans, he doesn't feel loved and he

doesnt grow as a person.

In addition, because Victors Frankenstein scientific experiment has turned into something

he did not expect, in my opinion, Mary Shelleys position of this scientific technology is that it

should only be used for good not evil. Science doesnt seem to be the issue here, but the way

humans abuse scientific technology to create an experiment as troublesome as the monster. The

human brain is very complex and humans are capable of creating anything depending on how

powerful their knowledge is. If Victor Frankensteins experiment would have turned into

something positive, then I believe Shelly would be in favor of this new form of life.

Victor Frankenstein has also mentioned in the introduction how ghastly the idea of new life

being created if misused, Frightful must it be, for supremely frightful would be the effect of any

human endeavor to mock the stupendous mechanism of the Creator of the world. (19)

Moreover, this line from the novel shows that Mary Shelly is not against artificial experiments,

Shelly is only against scientific experiments that trigger danger to the environment.

As a matter of fact, I agree with Mary Shellys position. Scientific technology to create

new experiments isnt the problem but how people use their creativity and abuse science. The
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way that Victor Frankenstein used his knowledge to create a monster that terrified other humans

was incorrect. Because of his mistakes people have died, and have received hate from the

experiment. In my opinion, the beauty of life should be created the correct way, not by using

science and experiments to create what Victor Frankenstein calls life. For example, a class

discussion on cryogenic is a perfect example of how beneficial the use of science can be.

Freezing a persons body after he/she becomes very ill, and hoping to find a cure for the disease

they are facing is a great way scientist are using their technology to solve the issue. There is no

harm being done to the environment and the knowledge of scientist is being used correctly.

In the novel Victor Frankenstein abuses nature by creating man using science. His

creation has backfired on him causing nature to become upset. Just like Victor Frankenstein is

abusing nature I believe that we are also abusing it for our benefits. For example, whenever we

cut down trees in forests nature always attacks back. Endangering the habitats of animals causes

them to reach the environment that humans live in, therefore, causing a threat if these species are

dangerous. Another example of how we abuse nature is by leaving behind our garbage by the

beach. The trash left behind enters the ocean endangering many fishes that humans eat. If we

keep abusing nature for our own benefits, we will not have a clean and safe environment. Nature

is beautiful and should be kept that way to prevent any problematic environment issues in the

near future.

Even though we abuse nature there is a way to keep a symbiotic relationship with it. If

scientist only create experiments that will help benefit the environment, then nature will not be

affected. To create a symbiotic relationship with nature, humans must not abuse science. We

must respect nature, if not, disaster is bound to happen. By working with nature, it can teach

humans the beauty of appreciation, empathy, and the process of life.

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To conclude, science is very powerful and can make our break our future. Scientific

technology should be used to help improve the issues that the world we live in faces. Having

control of the experiments that scientist create can help save a lot of tragedies. The creation of

the monster in this novel is a great example of how a failed experiment has endangered many

citizens and nature, therefore, mother nature is not to be messed around with.
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Works Cited

Nye, Bill. "Bill Nye Quotes." Quotable Quotes, Brainy Quote. Accessed 30 Mar. 2017.

Shelley, Mary. Frankenstein. 1992th ed., 1818, Penguin Group, pp. 19-166.