Rereading Frankenstein: What If Victor Frankenstein Had Actually Been Evil?

Key Concepts from "Rereading Frankenstein: What If Victor Frankenstein Had Actually Been Evil?"

Overview of Themes in Frankenstein

• The narrative of Mary Shelley's Frankenstein focuses on Victor Frankenstein’s ethical failures.
• Common interpretations highlight Victor's irresponsibility as a creator who hates his creation, leading to catastrophic consequences.
• This article explores alternative scenarios where Victor could behave worse, enhancing the story's implications about ethics and responsibility.

Victor Frankenstein's Character

• Depicted as:
  • Mad Scientist: Obsessed with overcoming death through scientific endeavors.
  • Bad Scientist: Secretive and irresponsible, neglecting moral obligations toward his creature.
  • Not Evil: Victor's actions stem from fear and guilt, not inherent malevolence.

Possible Dystopian Scenarios if Victor Were Evil

• Scenario 1: Dismissal of Risks

  • Victor could lack fear of the creature’s potential to create chaos, willingly risking humanity's existence to alleviate his guilt.
  • Consequence: Led by self-interest, he facilitates the creature’s plan to procreate, resulting in global devastation.

• Scenario 2: Subjugation of the Creature

  • An evil Victor seeks to dominate his creation, employing cruelty (e.g., chains, violence) to bend the creature to his will.
  • Consequence: The creature becomes an unwilling pawn in Victor's immoral schemes.

• Scenario 3: Creation of an Evil Brood

  • Victor creates a companion for the creature, enabling further evil.
  • Consequence: Their offspring are bred for malevolent purposes, creating a new army of monstrosities.

Moral and Ethical Implications

• Lessons on Responsibility:

  • Irresponsibility in creation leads to dire outcomes, emphasizing the importance of ethical decision-making in scientific practice.
  • The narrative highlights the necessity of accountability in the actions of creators and innovators.

• Dual Use of Technology:

  • The idea of "dual use" in science relates to the potential for technology to be utilized for both good and harmful purposes.
  • Historical and contemporary examples illustrate that innovations can be misused, prompting moral scrutiny over their development.

Addressing Modern Ethical Concerns

• Culpability in Actions:

  • Imagining Victor as evil sharpens the focus on personal accountability and the consequences of one’s choices in science and technology.
  • This perspective calls attention to how societal values shape the use of new technologies and moral responsibilities.

• Academic Responsibility:

  • Ethical training and discourse need improvement to better equip professionals in navigating the moral complexities of their work.
  • The academy has a duty to cultivate environments conducive to thoughtful moral engagement rather than tribalism or division.

Conclusion

• Shelley's narrative, while built on the flawed ethics of its characters, reminds readers of the vital lessons in morality, responsibility, and the dangers of unchecked ambition.
• By reimagining Victor as a truly evil figure, we deepen our understanding of human nature, ethics, and societal implications of scientific advancement.