English Literature

Science Fiction (sci-fi) has become a phenomenon during the 80s and the 90s as it brought the world into a whole new fantasy which involved seemingly surreal technological advancements and scientific capabilities. Works under this category have usually given people a perception that nothing is impossible with the power of the human mind. Works ranging from books, movies, even art works and poems have given the world a lot of illusions from fictional characters, to fictional machines and technologies, even to fantasies that seemed to relay some hint on what the future of the world might be like in years. Over the years, a lot of works under the science fiction category have created new illusions relating to scientific knowledge and technological power. These works did not just intensified peoples interest in science fiction, but these also brought them a whole new thought and illusion about how powerful a mans mind can be through the help of technological advancements. Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley happened to be one of the authors who were able to tickle and rouse peoples imagination and curiosity about what scientific knowledge could do. Through her world renowned novel, Frankenstein, a new definition of a monstrous creature has been created. Through the depiction of futuristic science and medical technology, a fictional monster was born. This work has made a significant mark not just in the history of literature but on the development of science fiction genre. Hence, it appears significant to explore on how effective the depiction of science knowledge and technological power in work has been. This discussion shall therefore explore on the use and portrayal of scientific knowledge and technological power. Specifically, this discussion shall try to prove the claim that although the story was able to move and stir the perceptions of people about scientific knowledge and technological power during that time, it does not pass as an acceptable and believable work of fiction anymore, as per the contemporary standards of sci-fi.

Scientific Knowledge
A great saying still rings true today knowledge is power. With sufficient knowledge on something, an individual can definitely put his or her capabilities into a higher level than those lacking of such knowledge  this is the same thought which seemed to inspire the creation of Shelleys masterpiece, Frankenstein. In science, this definitely applies. Over the years, science has molded peoples perceptions and beliefs on the things that seemed difficult for myths and religion to answer. Science has also given birth to the worlds most useful and significant technologies that made life on earth a lot less complicated and difficult. Because of this perceived authority of science, a great influence and power has been associated to it which seemed to make nothing impossible with it. This has also been the most dominant thought in Shelleys Frankenstein. In this story, a monster was made through the help of science and medicine. Such a monster has become popular due to the complexity of the process from which it was created. From the parts of a dead man, and from the endeavor of an individual to prove how powerful he could be through science, Frankenstein was put to life. In the introductory chapter of this novel, the author has already expressed how inclined she was on science and on human nature as well. She expressed that her work has been mostly inspired by the great minds in science however, she also admitted that her work is purely a product of her wild imagination. The author specifically notes,

The event on which this fiction is founded has been supposed, by Dr. Darwin, and some of the logical writers of Germany, as not of impossible occurrence. I shall not be supposed as according the remotest degree of serious faith to such an imagination yet, in assuming it as the basis of a work of fancy, I have not considered myself as merely weaving a series of supernatural terrors. (Shelley v-vi)
On this statement alone, it appears quite evident that the author was indeed a fan of science. However, although Shelley appeared to be inclined in science, it was also apparent that she did not want to leave out the reality of human nature and real human emotions and tendencies in her work as he deemed the combination of both to produce literatures highest specimens of poetry just like Homers The Iliad, Shakespeares The Tempest and Midsummer Nights Dream and Miltons Paradise Lost (vii).
In the story, the power scientific knowledge remarkably portrayed through the character, Victor Frankenstein. The authors way of seeing scientific knowledge can clearly be seen on how she portrayed Victor. The power associated to scientific knowledge and it pursuit was clearly depicted in this line

I had determined once, that the memory of these evils should die with me but you have won me to alter my determination. You seek for knowledge and wisdom, as I once did and I ardently hope that the gratification of your wishes may not be a serpent to sting you, as mine has been (35).

This tale tells a story where in scientific  knowledge was able to redefine life in such a way that it was able to revive one, from a what seemed to many as the end of every life death. But although the depiction of science in this story was somewhat intense, it was nonetheless able to stay true to the realistic form of human emotions as what the thoughts of Dr. Walton say about his relationship to Frankenstein. Walton would say, My affection for my guest increases every day, he excites at once my admiration and pity to an astonishing degree. How can I see so noble a creature destroyed by misery without feeling most poignant grief (31). Through this relation of science to human emotions, it is easy to deduce that although the author evidently deem science as a very significant aspect of the worlds evolution to modernity, if often times brings more grief and suffering to humanity that peace and happiness.

Technological Power
Technological power was portrayed in the story as something which mimics the godly ability of creating life. Through the character of Frankensteins creator, Victor, and his companion, Walton, technological powers was defined through his ambition and endeavor of creating and define life into a brand new perspective  that which involves scientific advancement. In Waltons first letter to Margaret, his pursuit of technological power through science evidently reveals hoe the author treats such kind of advancement. Technological power appeared like a vehicle which takes people into a whole new world never before explored. Walton specifically says that through technological power, he shall, satiate his ardent curiosity with the sight of a part of the world never before visited, and may tread a land never before imprinted by the foot of man (3). In this line, it was clear that scientific technologies are indeed holds the capability of redefining a lot of predefined and pre-established beliefs and ideals. It was evident that the author personally saw such kind of power as something which holds the ability to change the world and even how men live  and even how they are born.

Frankenstein was in himself the greatest depiction of technological powers product. Through this story, people have brought to a world where a creature can be created without the complex and mysterious process of conception. Rather, through scientific discoveries and experiments, this tale seems to convey that technological power has indeed leveled and equaled that of the divine power which was believed to be the root of all wonders and mysteries in life. Most of the characters in this story had their own perceptions about science. However the most significant perceptions were those of victor Frankenstein and Robert Walton, whom have been very significant in the monster, Frankensteins existence. Victor, who believed that Chemistry is the branch of philosophy in which the greatest improvements have been and may be made (76) created Frankenstein. And on the other hand, Walton, who used technological power for the benefit of the people and not just of himself, developed Frankenstein into a human-like companion who can be freed from grief and anxiety against humans. These two characters that have been significant personas in Frankensteins existence were also the characters that personify the ideal that if ones scientific knowledge equals his or her ability, there is no doubt that technological success shall come after (76). Indeed, Frankensteins character is the greatest manifestation of technological power in this tale. Both Victor and Robert Waltons pursuit for things that seemed to them as hard to accomplish were granted by technological power. Hence, it appears clear that this is what technological power means for Shelley the kind of power which can definitely turn the impossible to reality.

This work of Shelley has been very popular not just because on the interesting monstrous character if stars, but also on how it was able to redefine scientific knowledge and power. However, the author who tagged herself as a someone who preserve(s) the truth of the elementary principles of human nature (vi) was apparently able to twist such realities a bit since the sci-fi aspect of the story is already difficult to perceive as possible nowadays. Thus, although the story was able to move and stir the perceptions of people about scientific knowledge and technological power during that time, it does not pass as an acceptable and believable work of fiction anymore, as per the contemporary standards of sci-fi.