Frankenstein

This blog is my classroom thinking activity which is give by our Megha Ma"am on Frankenstein by Marry Shelley.

1)Do you think the search for knowledge is dangerous and destructive?

Frankenstein by Mary Shelley, the novel very clearly explores the theme that the search for knowledge—especially when pursued recklessly or without moral responsibility—can be both dangerous and destructive.

Here’s how it plays out in the novel:

Victor becomes consumed with the desire to "penetrate the secrets of nature" and "bestow animation upon lifeless matter."

His unchecked ambition leads him to create the Creature, but instead of glory, he unleashes misery and destruction upon himself and others.

His pursuit of knowledge isolates him from family, friends, and society, showing how intellectual obsession can destroy personal bonds.

The Creature’s Knowledge

The Creature, too, seeks knowledge. He learns language, history, and human culture by secretly observing the De Lacey family.

But this knowledge only brings him suffering: he realizes how different he is, and how humans will never accept him.

His education deepens his sense of alienation and fuels his anger against Victor and humanity.

The Bigger Message:

Shelley wrote Frankenstein during the age of scientific discovery and industrial revolution. The novel acts as a cautionary tale: scientific knowledge without ethical responsibility can be destructive.

Unlike pure curiosity (which can lead to progress), obsession with “god-like” power leads to tragedy.

 Mary Shelley presents the search for knowledge as dangerous when it ignores responsibility, morality, and human limits. In Frankenstein, knowledge brings suffering instead of enlightenment—making the novel a warning about the double-edged nature of intellectual ambition.

2)Do you think Victor Frankenstein's creature was inherently evil, or did society's rejection and mistreatment turn him into a monster?

In my opinion, Victor Frankenstein’s creature was not inherently evil but was shaped into a “monster” by rejection and mistreatment. At first, the creature shows qualities of innocence and kindness—he admires the De Lacey family, learns language, and even helps them in secret. These actions prove he had the capacity for goodness. However, because of his terrifying appearance, people feared him, and even Victor, his creator, abandoned him. I personally feel that if Victor had taken responsibility and shown compassion, the creature could have developed into a gentle being instead of one filled with anger. As the creature himself says,

 “I was benevolent and good; misery made me a fiend.” 

To me, this shows that society’s cruelty and isolation were the real reasons behind his violent actions.

My view is that the novel teaches us a lesson about human responsibility: no one is born evil, but neglect, prejudice, and lack of empathy can push someone into darkness.

3)Should there be limits on scientific exploration? If so, what should those limits be?

Yes, I believe there should be limits on scientific exploration, because without ethical boundaries, knowledge can easily become destructive. In Frankenstein, Victor’s ambition to “play God” and create life shows what happens when science is pursued without considering morality or responsibility. His discovery was ground breaking, but because he ignored the consequences, it led to suffering, death, and regret.

In my opinion, the limits of science should be guided by ethics, human welfare, and respect for nature. Science should aim to improve lives, not to gain power or fame at the cost of others. For example, areas like cloning, genetic engineering, or artificial intelligence should be handled with extreme care, balancing innovation with responsibility.

 To me, Shelley’s novel is still relevant today—it reminds us that just because we can do something scientifically, doesn’t always mean we should.

4)What are some major differences between the movie and the novel Frankenstein?

Frankenstein: Novel vs. 1994 Movie – Key Differences

Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein (1818) is one of the most influential Gothic novels, exploring themes of ambition, responsibility, and the consequences of unchecked scientific curiosity. Over the years, many film adaptations have brought the story to life, but Kenneth Branagh’s 1994 movie, Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein, stands out because it tries to stay faithful to the novel while adding dramatic and visual elements. However, there are some major differences that fans and viewers notice.

1. Elizabeth’s Fate:

In the novel, Elizabeth is tragically killed by the Creature on her wedding night, and Victor mourns her deeply. He never attempts to bring her back to life. In contrast, the 1994 movie adds a Gothic twist: after Elizabeth’s murder, Victor tries to reanimate her using his sister’s body and Elizabeth’s face. This resurrection attempt fails, emphasizing the horror and emotional drama of the story.

2. The Creature and a Companion:

In both the novel and the film, the Creature asks Victor to create a companion for him. In the novel, Victor destroys the second creature before bringing it to life, preventing further tragedy. The movie ties this request to the resurrection plot: the Creature wants Elizabeth as his companion, but Victor refuses, and Elizabeth is ultimately buried.

3.The Ending:

The novel ends with Victor dying in the Arctic while chasing the Creature, who then expresses regret and vows to end his own life alone. The movie, however, turns the finale into a dramatic visual spectacle: Victor dies in the North Pole, and the Creature dies with him in fire, creating a tragic yet cinematic climax.

4. Overall Tone:

While Shelley’s novel emphasizes philosophical questions about morality, responsibility, and the dangers of playing God, Branagh’s film adds more romance, visual horror, and emotional intensity, making it more appealing to modern audiences but shifting the focus slightly from moral reflection to dramatic spectacle.

Conclusion

Both the novel and the film tell the story of Victor Frankenstein and his tragic creation, but the 1994 movie adds Gothic horror, resurrection drama, and fiery visuals that make it distinct. For readers and viewers alike, it’s fascinating to see how the same story can take on very different tones and meanings depending on the medium.

5)Who do you think is a real monster?

In my view, the real monster in Frankenstein isn’t the Creature, but Victor Frankenstein and the society around him. When Victor created the Creature, he immediately rejected it and refused to take responsibility for the life he had brought into the world. That abandonment, combined with society’s constant fear and cruelty toward the Creature, turned an innocent being into someone capable of violence. I feel that the Creature was never born evil; he became “monstrous” because humans treated him with hatred and fear. To me, Shelley’s novel is a powerful reminder that neglect, prejudice, and selfish ambition can create true monsters, far more than appearances or natural instincts ever could.