Science: Scientific thought/Practice of time (Galvanism and Science) By: Deja Booker, Joshua Gadson, and Jace Smith

Literal Meaning Science is the systematic knowledge of the physical or material world gained through observation and experimentation. Scientific thought refers to the thought processes involved in the wide field of scientific activity, and in the process of radical or mundane revision of scientific concepts through a variety of reasoning techniques and problem solving heuristics. Galvanism is both the action of a muscle contracting after being stimulated by an electrical current, and also inducing an electrical current through a chemical reaction. In Frankenstein by Mary Shelley, the theory is primarily focused on the action of a muscle contracting after being stimulated by an electrical current. It was a popular yet controversial theory in Shelley’s time that galvanism could reanimate dead tissue and possibly restore life. The story begins in the mid-18th century. In this time, electricity had captured the imaginations of many of Europe’s top scientists, and at that time little was understood about the nature of electricity.

Examples From Text “A flash of lightning illuminated the object and discovered its shape plainly to me; its gigantic stature, and the deformity of its aspect, more hideous than belongs to humanity, instantly informed me that it was the wretch, the filthy demon to whom he had given life”(Shelley 60). The creation of the monster is a punishment delivered upon Frankenstein for his chaotic pursuit of knowledge. The ambitions of Frankenstein appear to be beyond the range of information available to mortal, and are in fact infringing upon knowledge meant only for the Divine. The act of Frankenstein entering the origins of life through galvanism shows that he cannot usurp the power of God by creating life without the union of male and female.

Examples From Text (cont.) “Learn from me, if not by precepts, at least by my example, how dangerous is the acquirement of knowledge and how much happier that man is who believes his native town to be the world, than he who aspires to become greater than his nature will allow”(Shelley 38). It seems as if that Victor is aiming to glorify a simpler, more provincial life, but there is a condescending tone in this quote. The use of the word “believes” implies ignorance; it insinuates that such a man holds an opinion that is not based in fact or empirical evidence. The use of the word “native” also implies a primitive person; in Shelley’s time the word would have had far deeper implications of ignorance than the manner in which it is used today. Subtly implied through such subtext is the notion that the ambitious man is held in higher esteem, and that it is far superior to thirst for knowledge than to be neglected in ignorance.

Literary Device- Imagery Imagery is an important literary device that relates to the nature of science. Shelley relates the anatomy of Frankenstein’s monster to natural occurrences in nature and our environment as a whole. The descriptive language used by Shelley gives a shocking sensation of the scene and appearance of the creature and of the process of it’s creation. The diction used allows the reader to understand the background, actions, and emotions of the scenes. For example, the reader can clearly relate to Victor’s experience upon completing the creation and the emotions he felt when first laying eyes on the beast. “'His yellow skin scarcely covered the work of muscles and arteries beneath; his hair was of a lustrous black, and flowing; his teeth of a pearly whiteness; but these luxuries only formed a more horrid contrast with his watery eyes, that seemed almost of the same color as the dun- white sockets in which they were set, his shriveled complexion and black lips.” (Shelley 35). “A mummy again endued with animation could not be so hideous as that wretch. I had gazed on him while unfinished; he was ugly then, but when those muscles and joints were rendered capable of motion, it became a thing such as even Dante could not have conceived.” (36).

Literary Device-allusion In Greek mythology, Prometheus creates a race of people after Zeus instructed him to. Victor Frankenstein and Prometheus share are a creative and scientific spirit, for they are responsible for crafting living beings .However, the race of beings created by Prometheus are not as obedient and do not adore the god as he pleases, so Zeus denies the being the use of fire. Similarly, Victor’s monster proves a conflict with his horrible hideousness and the heinous murders he committed. Victor’s creative and scientific knowledge and need to know the origin of life results in him developing a conflict with God . This allusion shows a direct relationship between to the two characters and proves how Shelley chose to favor the tale of Prometheus in a modern scientific way. "Whence, I often asked myself, did the principle of life proceed? It was a bold question, and one which has ever been considered as a mystery; yet with how many things are we upon the brink of becoming acquainted, if cowardice or carelessness did not restrain our inquiries.“(31). "There is something at work in my soul which I do not understand. I am practically industrious — painstaking, a workman to execute with perseverance and labor — but besides this there is a love for the marvelous, a belief in the marvelous, intertwined in all my projects, which hurries me out of the common pathways of men, even to the wild sea and unvisited regions I am about to explore." (6).

Literary device-Conflict man vs. Nature Victor's creation of the monster itself is an act of man versus nature. He defies the laws of nature and reanimates dead tissue through Galvanism. In the moment of creation, Victor reacts with horror at what he has done. The idea of the novel seems to lean towards the idea that man cannot completely control nature, and should not even attempt to. Instead, man should let nature take its course and not try to change the natural order of things. In the time period of the events, society had began to industrialize and many scientific processes developed. Frankenstein wished to create a monster through Galvanism but nature’s unwritten rules cause him trouble in the long run. "I beheld the wretch — the miserable monster whom I had created. He held up the curtain of the bed; and his eyes, if eyes they may be called, were fixed on me. His jaws opened, and he muttered some inarticulate sounds, while a grin wrinkled his cheeks. He might have spoken, but I did not hear; one hand was stretched out, seemingly to detain me, but I escaped and rushed downstairs. I took refuge in the courtyard belonging to the house which I inhabited, where I remained during the rest of the night, walking up and down in the greatest agitation, listening attentively, catching and fearing each sound as if it were to announce the approach of the demoniacal corpse to which I had so miserably given life.“(35).

Points of view Victor: The creation of the monster is a result of Victor’s curiosity and ambitions. By his effort and dedication of acquiring knowledge, it is apparent that he is intrigued with the anatomy of the body. He has a thirst for knowledge, for which he knows that he has fallen victim to. When the monster is created, Victor is unaware of all the pain and despair that he and the monster would experience. He believes that the monster is nothing but a hideous creature. The “hideous” characteristic comes from Victor, the creator, because he lacks the ability to love his creature as the Divine loves all things. Monster: It becomes evident that the creature is an emotional being that has feelings and has a normal thought process. The abandonment of Victor leaves the monster in total despair because he is not accepted by society, or by the most important person, his creator. The reader begins to sympathize and understand the monster’s actions as the monster reveals his emotions and feelings. Robert Walton: The epistolary efforts of Walton frame Victor’s narrative. The inclusion of personal letters in this narrative allows Alphonse and Elizabeth to express themselves, shedding light on their respective concerns and attitudes, and thus rendering them more human. Shelley’s use of letters enables the shift of narrative from one character to another while remaining within the bounds of the standard novel.

AP Question 2000. What is the mystery in the novel? The formation of the creature is one main mystery throughout the novel. Nobody knows exactly how Frankenstein brought the creature to life because Shelley remains very vague and broad throughout the process. “I Collected the instruments of life around me, that I might infuse a spark of being into the lifeless thing that lay at my feet”(Shelley 34-35).

Pivotal Significant Moment The Creation of Frankenstein’s Creature When Frankenstein uses the element of science to bring his creation to life, he ends up creating his own antagonist in the novel. The awakening of the creature is crucial to the plot as Frankenstein’s downfall is caused by the creation.

Pivotal Significant Moment Frankenstein constructing a mate for his original creation. Frankenstein uses science yet again when constructing the 2nd creature. This moment is significant because Frankenstein think about the consequences of his creations before he acts. With the decision of not creating the second creature, Frankenstein’s life becomes even more disrupted as the original creature is out for revenge

Citations Baker, Anaya M. "The Role of Science in Frankenstein by Mary Shelley." LetterPile. N.p., n.d. Web. 20 Oct. 2016. Shelley, Mary Wollstonecraft, and Maurice Hindle. Frankenstein, Or, The Modern Prometheus. London: Penguin, 2003. Print. "Reading Between the Lines." (2015): n. pag. Web.