Living through reason—we think, therefore we are

Learn about the themes of knowledge and learning in one of the greatest novels ever written.

Thinking is one of the greatest abilities that mankind possesses. People are able to acquire knowledge through reading and life experiences, but the ability to use the mind to think both logically and creatively has allowed mankind to establish itself as the primary species within the animal kingdom. In fact, reasoning has allowed people to revolutionize the world in a historical perspective because society changed as a result of the ideas that spawned within the minds of people who dared to dream. One must wonder, though, if reasoning can counteract all of the challenges that people face. That is because being able to reason is not a strong enough power that can elevate mankind to a divine status simply because sometimes the impossible really is unattainable. In Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein, Shelley explores the nature of reason to reveal the mortality of mankind in spite of its determination to achieve the impossible.

Shelley asserts that the whole reason why people reason about the world around them is to acquire knowledge. Frankenstein clearly states how he hopes to learn more about the world around him. Secrecy is also important because it offers a sense of mystery to the world that Frankenstein hopes to unravel as he learns through reasoning. Therefore, part of the reason why Frankenstein thinks critically is to make sense of what it means to be alive.

Nevertheless, the theme of science reveals the limitations of knowledge acquisition. Specifically, the entire concept of science is a major element in the novel that reveals how the search for knowledge cannot always guarantee answers to the major questions society asks. Therefore, the desire to learn about the world through reason is a very risky move since science cannot explain all that exists in the world. Ultimately, Shelley provides a reminder about human mortality.

Frankenstein’s character also reveals how the desire to explore the world through reason can have dire consequences. The realization about the boastful nature of mankind reveals how people are still human even if they attempt to defy the laws of nature through science. The word “ambition” (29) is a key word to describe the inquisitive nature of scientists because it serves as a reminder that even the highest hopes for mankind can lead to its own downfall if people are not careful. Therefore, reasoning through science can actually be very dangerous.

After Frankenstein creates life through a combination of reason and science, the monster itself discovers the limits of reason as well. In fact, Frankenstein’s monster epitomizes the concept of “the other,” which reveals the flaws that characterize mankind. The monster has the description about being an atypical being because it does not necessarily fit in with the rest of society.  Mary Shelley also suggests that thinking has limitations. The monster cannot recall how he came about, and such an issue is one that has plagued mankind as people wonder about their origins. Therefore, there is a parallel between real people and the monster because they cannot determine the nature of their being even through reason. Even with the gifts of sensation and perception, those two experiences can only provide so much knowledge about the world around both the monster and people in general. Therefore, reasoning has limits because the ways that people know about the world itself have limits.

Even with the ability to reason, Shelley reveals how people are still human in spite of the profound gift of thought. The discovery of how to manipulate fire for personal benefit does exhibit an example of how reason allows people to help themselves, including the monster. Unfortunately, the monster also learns that food, which helps provide life, can become spoiled. The food serves as a reminder that people are still human because they need basic necessities in order to survive.

Despite the bleakness of mortality, Shelley also suggests that reason is synonymous with learning, and that the whole point of reasoning is to learn about the world.  The monster’s miraculous ability to know about the nature of human communication reveals how reasoning does define people because of the idea that what people think reflects who they are. The desire to learn that the monster experiences personally reveals how reason involves curiosity and the hope for self-improvement. Therefore, reasoning does have some positive qualities even though learning does not always result in the betterment of people.

In fact, accepting the fact that reasoning can only provide a finite amount of knowledge is a truth that Mary Shelley hopes to convey. Confronting reality is a major step towards realizing that reason has limitations. The monster thinks about the fundamental questions of existence.  The monster thought about death to serve as a reminder about its mortality. The monster then continues to ponder about its existence.  The questions that the monster asks reveals how it wonders about the nature of existence. The trouble with understanding such issues reveals how reasoning can allow people to think about the nature of reality, but fail to understand its unfathomable aspects.

Mary Shelley also implies that the actions that people take also reveal how reasoning leads to decision-making, and that not all choices are correct. Such a fact reveals how reasoning can be flawed.  After realizing the horrific nature of his deeds, the monster begins to question the nature of existence. The guilt that the monster experiences forces him to realize that reasoning does not always lead to noble deeds, and that he is prone to error. Because of that fundamental flaw, the consequences of such actions reveal how even the ability to reason cannot prevent mistakes from being made. Therefore, reasoning has limits, and can only do so much for any given person.

The ability to reason is one of the greatest gifts that people have. The human race advanced socially during the Romantic Age because of the thought processes that resulted in revolution during this historical era. In spite of such progress, Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein serves as a counterargument to the idea that mankind is invincible. In fact, Mary Shelley’s seminal classic reveals how reasoning alone cannot solve all of the mysteries of existence. The symbolic monster also represents the flaws of mankind because sometimes the creations that people make can lead to dire consequences. For example, urbanization and industrialization changed the European world dramatically while also producing negative side-effects that affect the overall well-being of society. In the end, Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein serves as a cautionary tale about the power of reason, and how sometimes the unknown must remain enigmatic.