With the cloning of life forms and genetic engineering now commonplace, the question of the morality of the actions of Dr. Frankenstein is now more important than ever. Perhaps lessons can be learned from the novel, Frankenstein, that can be applied in todays technologically advanced world. It was Dr. Victor Frankenstein’s opinion that it was morally acceptable to give life to his creation. Frankenstein’s creation then needed a companion.
Knowing that his first creation was evil should the doctor make a second? With the knowledge at hand, to Dr. Frankenstein, it is not at all morally correct to bring another monster into the world. Looking at this probelm with his family in mind, the doctor begins his work on the second monster. The first monster threatened Frankenstein and even his family. The monster angrily said to Frankenstein, “I can make you so wretched. ” (pg. 162) Trying to scare Frankenstein for not creating his mate the monster resorted to threats. If the good doctor does create a companion for his first creation he may be endangering others. “The miserable monster whom I had created,” (pg. 52) says Victor upon looking back at his work.
If there is another monster there will be twice the power and possibly twice the evil, which could hurt or kill his family. When and if Frankenstein commits the moral sin of creating another monster he may be rid of both monsters forever. “With the companion you bestow I will quit the neighbourhood of man,”(pg 142) promises the morally corrupt monster to the doctor upon the completion of his partner. When the doctor, if and when he, finished his first creation’s mate there is a chance that the monsters will not keep their promise nd stay in Europe envoking fear into townfolk.
The good doctor, trying to act morally, destroys the monster for the good of the world. The monsters can potentially take over whatever they please. “A race of devils would be propegated,”(pg. 163) thinks Frankenstein to himself in his study. The monsters, if powerful enough, could possibly take over Europe. Frankenstein realizes that he can not possibly doom the world to benefit himself. “Shall I, in coold blood, set loose upon the earth a daemon.. “(pg. 162) argues Frankenstein with his creation. It is not morally right for one person to unleash such a terror on the world to benefit only himself and his family.
Frankenstein will not let any example change his mind on the point that the monster is and will always be morally corupt. Continuing on his point that the monster was too evil to duplicate, Frankenstein says, “Your threats cannot move me to do an act of wickedness; but they confirm me in determination of not creating you a companion in vice. “( pg. 163) Frankenstein will not sacrifice his morallity because of persuation from a monster. Although eholding the threat of death and misery Frankenstein held his ground and did not sacrifice his moral.
When and if Frankenstein creates another monster he can not feel as if he has done the morally right thing. From creating the monster Frankenstein will some how be making people other than himself unhappy. ” I consent to your demand, on your solem oath to quite Europe forever, and every other place in the neighbourhood of man,”(pg. 143) says Frankenstein as he sees the power that the two could possibly possess. The good doctor sees that with his own hands he ould possibly scar the world forever. The doctor wants, if anyone, himself to be unhappy instead of all of man kind.
Begone! I do break my promise,” (pg. 162) states the doctor angrily. Not thinking about himself but the world unselfishly breaks his promise to the monster. Possessing such a great mind the doctor is able to realize that a greater evil will be realesed upon the earth then upon himself. “Your threats cannot move me to do an act of wickedness,”(pg. 162) says the doctor as he argues his point with his creation. The doctor sees that a greater and more horrible result can come from im making the second monster than not.
With the knowledge at hand, to Dr. Frankenstein, it is not at all morally correct to bring another monster into the world. On the one hand if the second monster was created Frankenstein’s family would be saved. By the same token the rest of the world could be forced to bow before two hideous monsters. Even though Frankenstein began his work for the good of man his experiment ended up hurting himself, his family, and society. Let us pray that this pattern is not repeated with the current work in cloning and genetic engineering.