The Theme of Education and Virtue in Frankenstein. Literature Essay

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The Theme of Education and Virtue in Frankenstein
Education has been considered one of the most achievements in the human history. Education is considered an empowerment tools because educated members of society are tasked with higher tasks and responsibility in the society. Mary Shelley’s book Frankenstein explores the theme of self-education in an evolving society of the early nineteenth century. Shelley understood the role that education plays in the revolution of man; hence she decided to draw parallels between self-education and virtues in the society. Self-education occurs when people are not in a position to acquire and access learning because of reasons beyond their control. Frankenstein fiction novel tries to underpin the strengths of self-education and how curiosity for power and knowledge leads to self-destruction. Self-education is good, but people require modesty and regulation in the pursuit of knowledge.
The monster is a personalized central character in the Frankenstein. Shelley explains that she has always looked for a secret of penetrating and exploring the secrets of nature ever since she was a little girl (34). Shelley is compelled by anxiety and a desire to understand the mysteries of the universe, making her develop a monster. The uniqueness of the, the monster is that it has the quality and characteristics of men. Life starts better when the monster accidentally discovers fire. The surprising thing about Shelley’s text is in how the monster has the chance to undergo all the steps of evolution that man goes through. The monster starts by discovering fire as an initial process of learning. The fact that the monster is compelled by the desire and psyche to discover fire is a sign that there is no male or female wisdom. Everyone has a unique thinking capacity that can be harnessed for the common good of the society. The monster's curiosity makes it discover fire and it goes through all the steps of civilization that humans go through.
While proper education is essential for quenching the human psyche and ambition for development, Shelley used Victor Frankenstein to tell the audience about the dangers and risks associated with human desires and ambitions. Victor Frankenstein is the character in the novel with a desire to acquire the highest form of knowledge with the goal of reaching the level of gods. The problem is that selfish interests and ambitions of attaining the highest level of individual freedom are not guaranteed. Victor Frankenstein wanted to do everything to stay ahead in knowledge but failed to consider the fact that just like the ocean, knowledge has no end and any time one wants to understand the universe, one moves closer to God. Victor Frankenstein is a character consumed by greed for new knowledge and is not ready to take chances. Life reaches a climax when the very knowledge he was seeking ends up becoming a disaster. Victor says, “The same feelings…made me forget those around…” (Shelley 55). The pursuit of knowledge is but it alienates people from others and themselves.
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