How does Shelley explore making discoveries in Frankenstein?

Main points

• Danger as a result of scientific advancement (Walton) (Victor)

  • Walton and geographical discovery - promethean hero

  • Explore this unchained ambition and drive

• Self discovery (the monster) and the idea that our discoveries shape who we are and our self perception

  • Literary context - Paradise lost and Promethius

  • Tabula rasa and noble savage

  • This idea of discovery is an intrinsic thing- when you percieve the monster as this untainted thing then he makes these dicoveries unprompted

• Romanticism vs scientific discovery as a response to the age of enlightenment that was criticised by many (Victor vs Clerval)

• Discovery = pain and torment (Victor and the Monster)

  • gothic description - how he sort of wears away

  • parallel

  • ‘increase of knowledge only discovered to me more clearly what a wretched outcast I was’

  • ‘the wretch whom with such infinite pain and care I had endeavoured to form’

    • the creature’s words mimic Frankenstein, thus exposing how the derogatory viewpoint is a direct result of teh creature’s exploration of the prejudices in society

    • this idea of the tabula rasa, he has been tainted by an imperfect society