Frankenstein Paragraph

Dean Koontz states that, “Of the sever reasons why the book is a classic , perhaps the most important is the portrayal of Victor Frankenstein as a compassionate utopian destroyed by hubris.”  Dean Koontz is absolutely correct, Victor was in the pursuit of knowledge to aid people and was overcome by his own arrogance. The word hubris literally means “the excessive pride andambition that usually leads to the downfall of a hero in classical tragedy.”  Victor was not out to create a monster that would hurt anyone; he wanted only to study pure science and create a pure being. Upon learning of the amazing qualities of lightning and how the human body could possibly run on nothing more than that, was the push that Victor needed to start him on his downward fall.  Victor let his arrogance hinder his ability to reason right from wrong until it was too late. Victor Frankenstein was not a monster, in the beginning his intentions was purely innocent; until his arrogance in himself and the ability to defy God was too much temptation to resist. So yes, Dean Koontz is correct in his statement that hubris destroyed Victor.

What does it mean to be human?

Being human is something more than what can be described on paper, its soul. Human by definition is a member of the genus Homo and especially of the species H. sapiens. The word human means so much more though, human means the ability to think reasonably ,allow curiosity to fill your mind with wonderful ideas ,and to and feel love without restrictions.

Having the ability to think reasonably and question are distinctly human qualities. Humans for the most part want to better themselves and the people around them. All humans from birth are looking for opportunities to better themselves in life .In response to this natural need to better ourselves, Mary Shelly created her characters with the purpose of always trying to better themselves; whether it is by finding someone to love or to right the wrongs you have done. Victor, in the beginning of the book thinks that he is bettering humanity by creating a perfect being; while his creation only wants love and be loved. To Victor “the world was to him a secret which he desired to divine. Curiosity, earnest research to learn the hidden laws of nature, gladness akin to rapture, as they were unfolded to him, are among the earliest sensations he can remember.” Humans are born curious; children’s first thoughts are always “Why not?” and “What if?” Our natural need for answers is a purely human quality.  In response to curiosity, humans find reason; this reason is what allows us to create morals and ethics in our societies. Without this natural curiosity we wouldn’t have even thought of the possibility of the light bulb or even electricity. For example Albert Einstein said that “the important thing is not to stop questioning. Curiosity has its own reason for existing. One cannot help but be in awe when he contemplates the mysteries of eternity, of life, of the marvelous structure of reality. It is enough if one tries merely to comprehend a little of this mystery every day. Never lose a holy curiosity.”

 Humans are maybe the only creature that can feel love without restrictions and emphasize with each other.  This type of love is classified as agape or the ability to seek welfare and the betterment of others regardless of how we feel.  This is the type of love that is described in the Bible; the reason that Jesus died on the cross for all of us, regardless of how he felt. In the Gospels he prayed "Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me: nevertheless, not as I will, but as thou wilt" (Mt. 26:39; Mk. 14:36; Luke. 22:41-43; Jn. 18:11). Jesus sought the betterment of you and me despite how he felt on the subject of giving up his life for people, who the majority of, would turn their back on him. There are many people who have accomplished great things by following this type of love; just look at Gandhi. Gandhi looked at the world and felt love and empathy for his fellow humans. He employed non-violent civil disobedience and ended up leading India to independence and inspiring movements for civil rights and freedom across the world.

In the YouTube video we previously watched in English class, no person who was asked could for sure answer the question of “What does it mean to be human?”  That’s because being “human” is more than just having thumbs or the ability to walk upright all of the time. Human is feeling an agape love without restrictions and finding how to emphasize with fellow humans problems. Human is asking “why?” and working towards goals to better you.