Because I have been unable to add a new post the last couple of weeks, you will be awarded 30 points for this week's response. However, you must provide a minimum of three paragraphs (each paragraph is worth 10 points). Now, on to the this week's discussion. . . as we are about to embark on a study of Frankenstein (for some of you this will be your second journey). . . keep in mind how some of the issues Mary Shelley presented years and years ago still remain timeless and relevant in today's world. Putting aside the fact that an overly ambitious doctor creates a "monster", let's consider the relationship between Victor and Elizabeth. Their relationship was not unlike relationships today. . Victor, driven by his goals and need to achieve, worked endless hours forgetting what was most important in his life. . . and then Elizabeth, fun-loving, creative, and family-oriented sometimes found it challenging to connect with Victor. You may want to focus one paragraph on how their relationship's characteristics might resemble martial relationships in existence today and how that can sometimes be disastrous and what can be done to prevent failure in the relationship. . . what could Victor and Elizabeth have done to prevent disaster. . .anything?
And then we have the issue of the creator (Victor) abandoning his creation (the "monster"). . . how could that be related to, let's say, a parent and his or her child . . . it's unfortunate, but true that sometimes parents abandon their children. . . not just physically, but mentally, emotionally, etc.
Finally, the most obvious timeless issue is Ethics vs. Medical Advancements. How far is TOO far? Many, many years ago . . . during the time Mary Shelley composed this novel, the idea of creating a person from several people's body parts seemed completely absurd! However, today organ transplants occur daily and this includes eyes as well as skin. Cloning has also become an ethical issue of this day and age. . . creating new life. . . altering and selecting how something should live. . . how do you feel about this? Shelley's ideas were not so absurd after all. And it should also be noted that Shelley suffered tragic losses of children . . . perhaps she grieved so deeply that she dreamed she could bring her children back to life. . . and how miraculous it could be to perform surgery and use "spare" body parts to save a life. Discuss your thoughts on the "then and now" theme of the medical themes and ethical concerns.
To receive full credit, give me your best, detailed answers! Return to the top and reread the paragraphs to be sure you understand the themes and then provide thorough responses. Enjoy!
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Okay, folks. . . since there are no comments posted to this date, I am going to leave this one open for another week. . . so if you want the extra credit points, you have the first week of November to post your three-paragraph response. . .
ReplyDeleteI don’t believe that victors marriage could not be saved.
ReplyDeleteHe was too intent on making a lifeless body animate.
I don’t believe that God himself could have shaken him because
victor believed he was god. He was bound to fail.
Like some parents and victor they felt regret for creating a child.
So they get anxiety about having this child so to keep them from feeling that anxiety
parents mentally and emotionally block the children out.
But parents must find that they have this child for a reason that they and God knows.
God has brought victor and parents their child to give each other something to
love and to help each other find something that they need.
I don’t know much but I know not to play god.
I know that God is slow to anger, but he is a jealous God.
So I wouldn’t be into that science. The only life we need to be is the lives we save
but we save people through the miracles of God and his strength.
I do believe that trying to create a human is too much like god.
That’s just my opinion.
I believe that Frankenstein screwed by not thinking of Elizabeth as a person. I think if he would of thought of her in that sense he would of thought clearer about making a monster. If it wasn't for the fact that he thought of her in this sense the whole story probably wouldn't have happened. All though the fact he cared enough about her to try and beat death so they could truely be together forever showed his love and commitment.
ReplyDeleteThe monster shouldn't have ever been created let alone. If it wasn't for the pain the monster felt from being alone no one would even been hurt. It is a lot like when a child is abandon they only feel anger and rage. The monster being just created was exactly like a child. Thats what caused him to destroy nd only want love.
I feel that there is a grey spot in what is ok by todays standards. For example organ transplants saves live and helps a lot of people. While cloning is going to far only GOD should be creating life. While being able to keep people alive would be a good thing to most it's very unethical. I believe it's all in the eye of the beholder when it comes to subjects as strong as these.
Victor and Elizabeth were to oppisite for each other. All Victor cared about was science and trying to create life.Elizabeth was a up beat woman who was full of life, and deserved someone to pay attention to her, unlike victor. For their relationship to work out they needed some hard core communation.
ReplyDeleteVictor reminds me of a teenager..ready to have fun but doesnt want to take responsibility for his actions. Sure 16 year olds will go sleep around but when they get pregant they dont want to keep the baby. Victor loved creating the monster but when he came to life Victor deserted it. The monster was not good enough for him.
Organ transplants are an amazing thing they save peoples lifes and help them live longer. Cloning is going WAY to far!!! We were never ment to create life, God is the only one who should be doing that. Even tho Mary Shelly lost children creating life is still crazy! If we were intended to every create life we would have been doing that for years and years. I am not God and I dont plan on trying to be him.
Wow! I think some of your perspectives are quite intriguing! I can tell that you have certainly put some thought in our study of this novel. Keep up the great effort!
ReplyDelete