Knowledges Destructive Effect "I have always suspected that too much knowledge is a dangerous thing.

It is says Margaret Anderson. Frankenstein by Mary Shelley is a novel about how the dangers of knowledge lead to destruction. Shelley emphasizes the danger of knowledge when Frankenstein observes the cottagers he comes upon. After Frankenstein is left to care for himself, he wonders off on his own and views the cottagers everyday life. He sees how they care for one another which makes him feel lonely. The event leaves him impressed (81) and understands he is missing and needs a companion. Later in the story, this leads him demanding Victor to make him a companion since he feels envy that Victor grew up surrounded by love and he didnt. Victor was about to create a monster whose dispositions I was alike ignorant (120). But he then realizes that she too can be ten thousand times more malignant than the monster he already created, Frankenstein. Victor believes that if he makes her, both of his creations will be too powerful together and could cause destruction to the world. Therefore, causing him to have fear and destroy her. However Frankenstein threatens Victor to make her or else he would be there on his wedding night since Frankenstein knew he had a blind vacancy that should be filled with a companion. Since Victor rejected his demand, all the people Victor loved died because Frankenstein didnt get what he wanted. This is one example of how Frankensteins knowledge led to the destruction of Victors loved ones. The danger of knowledge is also shown with Victor. Victor Frankenstein was obsessed with learning. Against his father's wishes, he "dips" into the world of science. Victor attempts to surge beyond "normal" human limits. He also wished to solve death. "I collected bones form charnel-houses. (66). Victor becomes obsessed with making a creature. He sneaks around to gather dead body parts. This pursuit of knowledge proves to be dangerous. As a result of making this creature, Victor's acts

eventually result in the destruction of everyone and everything he values after isolating himself from his family. Victors obsession with knowledge is also evident as he lies on his death bed. Victor realized that all his hopes and aspirations became nothing and that he is chained to eternal hell (157). Eventually, Victors knowledge about his creation and all that he has done has led to his destruction. His own hopes for his creation were let down because it wasnt what he had expected since his creature caused more harm to him than good. His obsessive hatred of the monster costs him his own life. The danger of knowledge is evident with Robert Walton. Robert attempts to surpass human explorations and he has a dream of reaching the North Pole and step foot where no one else has been before. He writes letters to his sister, a part of the world never before visited." (13). Walton is so obsessed with getting to see a new place that he continues his dangerous voyage until he learns of Victors life. He is so obsessed that he did not care he was overwhelmed with loneliness and he feels as though something was guiding him onward. Later in the book he says, if the vessel should be freed I would instantly direct my course southwards." (271). Walton doesn't want to do as his crew wishes, but his views change. After hearing Victor's story and seeing the consequences of his actions, Walton decided to end his quest. He learns how destructive dangerous knowledge is. Knowledge is not always a good thing. Too much of knowledge can lead to the destruction of ones mind. Knowledge is dangerous when one has knowledge far beyond ones need in life. This makes one unhappy and leads to envy which will eventually lead to destruction.