The Idea of the Age of Enlightenment and Frankenstein
From 17th to 18th century, the enlightenment era; the age of the enlightenment or the age of the reason was opened. In this era, people found the new ideas; the discovery of the natural laws of the universe, determination of the natural right of mankind, and progress of knowledge, technical achievement and moral values. Most importantly, people in this era tried to find a reason for mankind existence without religious idea. Many scientists thought things more logically. For example, Isaac Newton found the gravity of the universe. Its idea leads to scientific and mathematical revolution.
In the “Frankenstein” by Mary Shelley, Victor Frankenstein, main character, learned the enlightenment thinking. He is a student of the university. He tries to develop his idea that he makes a creature throughout the science. For instance, Victor says, “In rather philosophical and connected a strain, perhaps, I have given an account of the conclusions I had come to concerning them in my early years. As a child, I had not been content with the results promised by the modern professors of natural science. With a confusion of ideas only to be accounted for by my extreme youth, and my want of a guide on such matters, I had retrod the steps of the knowledge along the paths of time, and exchanged the discoveries of recent enquirers for the dreams of modern natural philosophy.” While Victor is growing up, he is learning many scientific ideas. He is thinking about discoveries for his dream. He has been increased his scientific knowledge like Isaac Newton did in the age of the Enlightenment.
In conclusion, he does success to make his creature, Frankenstein’s monster, in the story. His discovery to make the creature is definitely influenced by the idea of the Enlightenment.
The resources
Isaac Newton Institute for Mathematical Science
Western New England College Essay by Professor Gerhard Rempel
It's important to note that Shelley wrote "Frankenstein" as a critique of those who fully accept Enlightenment values, and as a cautionary tale of the result of this type of thinking.
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