Goelz #2

In the beginning of the novel, technology and its effects on the developing world were considered positive and progressive as Frankenstein looks forward to his bright future in science. This concept begins to wane as the monster's actions result in death and deceit, ultimately turning the scientist on his own creation. The message of this book is dogmatic, for it is a warning of how the emergence of new technologies are likely to result in destruction of an individual or society as a whole. Every invention has the potential to be either good or bad, depending on how it is used. Frankenstein's monster is born honest and pure, seeking love, acceptance, and an education. As he wanders alone, he discovers a family whom he watches for quite some time. When explaining this experience to Victor, he says, "I found that these people possessed a method of communicating their experience and feelings to one another by articulate sounds. I perceived that the words they spoke sometimes produced pleasure or pain, smiles or sadness, in the minds and countenances of the hearers. This was indeed a godlike science, and I ardently desired to become acquainted with it" (p. 78). The monster has quickly developed an attraction to learning and is without a doubt an intelligent being with strong potential. As time goes on, however, he learns that he will never be accepted by society because he is different. He tells Victor, "...if I cannot inspire love, I will cause fear; and chiefly towards you my archenemy, because my creator, do I swear inextinguishable hatred" (p. 104). Although his being created was a magnificent scientific innovation, it wasn't treated with care and therefore concluded with negativity. The message of the story is essentially that technology should be treated with the utmost care, for it can be harnessed to do terrible things.