Comparison between Frankenstein and “The Birthmark” Essay

The Industrial Revolution that was happening in the early evenfall of the nineteenth centuries changed the world forever. The introduction of apprehension as a potential cure for all became app bent. Many fascination inventions such as steamboat, cars and electricity were effectd and the outlook for the future was bright. However, because of this, many scientists turned a blind eye to the endangerments of experience and unwittingly caused many sorrows in their process to become graven image. Such examples atomic number 18 introduced in the following two stories Frankenstein and The birthmark. In both stories, the author created a character that was to symbolize the scientists of the early 19th centuries who believed that anything was possible with science. In The Birthmark, Hawthornes character Aylmer tries to remove his wifes birthmark with his use of science but block offs up putting to death her. While in Frankenstein, the protagonist victor attempts to use science to create life but ends up destroying those there were closest to him.There are many similarities between the two stories, especially between the characteristics of Victor Frankenstein and Aylmer. both men realise a deep passion and love for science that borders on obsession. One of the prevalent nucleotides in both stories is the danger of acting god. In Frankenstein, Victor attempts to go beyond accepted human limits and regain the knowledge of life and therefore becoming godlike. The reputation begins with Waltons garner to his sister. From the letter, we are introduced to the danger of science. Victor tells Walton, You seek for knowledge and wisdom, as I once did and I ardently hope that the gratification of your wishes may non be a serpent to sting you, as mine has been. (pg 31)The theme of perverting knowledge is then developed further throughout the story as the tragic events and consequences of Victors obsession for life is unfold. He cuts himself off from the world and eventually commits himself entirely to his task, while I pursued my undertaking with unremitting ardour, my cheek has grown pale with study and my somebody has become emaciated with confinement. (pg 55) This is similar to what Aylmer went through, He was pale as death, vile and absorbed, and hung over the furnace as if it depended upon his utmost watchfulness or misery. (pg 70) He was so obsessed about perfection that he forsakes the consequences of his action.Throughout Frankenstein, Victor repeatedly convinced himself that what he is doing is absolutely right and because of this, his fall from grace mirrors those of Aylmer. both(prenominal) of them have unrealistic goals to achieve and both unintentionally destroy those that are precious to them.For all their similarities, Dr. Frankenstein and Aylmer are still significantly different characters. Victor wants to be god but does not know what to do with the power, When I found so astonishing a power placed in spite of appearance my hands, I hesitated a long time concerning the manner in which I should employ it. (pg 54) Victor views science as the path to new knowledge in other studies you go as far as others have gone before you but in scientific pursuit, there is relentless food for discovery and wonder.(pg 52)While Aylmer views science as the path to greater power, We know Aylmer possessed this degree of faith in mans ultimate control over nature.(pg 59) He tries to play god in order to bend the laws of nature and make imperfection to perfection, I find myself fully competent to render this dear cheek as harmless and then, most beloved, what will be my triumph when I shall have change by reversal what Nature left imperfect in her fairest work (pg 63) In the end however, it was nature that got the last laugh when the potion that Aylmer gave Georgiana resulted in her death.Both Frankenstein and Aylmer are victims of the destructive fascination for science and nature. Both men try to transcend to godho od and, ultimately, both fail. Perhaps, that is why both Shelley and Hawthorne wrote similar stories in an attempt to illustrate the danger of ambition, science and godhood.