FREE ESSAY ON WHAT ARE THE RAMIFICATIONS OF IMPERFECT MAN PLAYING GOD?

WHAT ARE THE RAMIFICATIONS OF IMPERFECT MAN PLAYING GOD?

What are the Ramifications of Imperfect Man Playing God?
It was a time of immense scientific discoveries and controversies in Europe during the
early nineteenth century. Mary Shelly's Frankenstein is a reflection of the questions
that society was bringing to the forefront concerning science and religion. In this
horror tale, one can clearly see the controversies arising at the time that science may
be killing religion and thus mankind. The ramifications of Dr. Frankenstein's attempt to
play God are seen through the perceptions of the monster, the personality traits leading
to his own destruction, and the ultimate loss of Frankenstein's sanity and morality.
First of all, Frankenstein's attempt to play God and Creator is most plainly seen through
the perceptions and actions of his creation. The creature is born into the world as if it
is a baby, knowing nothing of life. This creature's first experience as a living
existence is being shunned by its own creator. 
I beheld the wretch---the miserable monster whom I had created. He held up the curtain of
the bed; and his eyes, if eyes they may be called, were fixed on me... He might have
spoken, but I did not hear; one hand was stretched out, seemingly to detain me, but I
escaped and rushed downstairs (43).
The monster is reaching out to the only thing he knows thus far, his creator, and is met
with disgust. Frankenstein, being merely human, cannot offer this creature the
unconditional love and guidance that God bestows on His creatures. This, in turn, leads
to the imminent immoral actions of the creature. Symbolically, the same action of
reaching out that has Frankenstein run with horror is the process in which the monster
uses to kill all of his victims by strangulation. Had Frankenstein only tried to care and
communicate with the monster during this harmless event, then perhaps the dreadful story
would have ended here. Also, the creature himself refers to his situation in life and to
his creator in a Biblical sense. Like most humans, the monster grapples with such
questions as What [am] I? and Whence did I come? (113). The creature compares himself to
Adam, with Frankenstein being his creator. However, he sees his state as far different
from that of Adam's, being that he is wretched, helpless, and alone (114). He then
compares himself to Satan, but notes that even Satan has companionship. If this creature,
as compared to Adam, feels so miserable and desolate, must that not also speak of the
incompetence of its god?
Another aspect defining the ramifications of Frankenstein's attempt to portray God is
seen in his own personality traits that lead to his destruction. First of all, ambition
is the ultimate human flaw in Shelley's novel. This concept is foreshadowed as the reader
gets familiar with Mr. Walton. Walton's quest to the North Pole is solely to satisfy his
ambition of fame. In direct correlation, Frankenstein's motives in creating the monster
are his desires to be a renowned scientist. What could be more incredible than creating
life? Thus, one sees the relationship between science and religion. Frankenstein is
attempting to be God to his own creation in order to fulfill his ambitious desires. At
the exact moment that these desires are fulfilled, Frankenstein realizes that he himself
is not God, and he is appalled at the catastrophe that he has created. This realization,
however, is too late to change the path of destruction that Frankenstein must face. Also,
compassion, or lack thereof, plays a vital role in the comparison of Frankenstein to God.
God is ever compassionate to the vital needs of his beings. Frankenstein, on the other
hand, chooses his times of caring and hatred at the most inopportune times. Instead of
reaching out to his creation to teach and care for it, he turns away and casts it out to
the cruel world without any guidance or love. However, Frankenstein almost shows
compassion to the monster when he is finally forced to confront it in person. The monster
pleads to Frankenstein to create a companion for it by trying to evoke empathy for its
misery and sorrow.
...instead of threatening, I am content to reason with you. I am
malicious because I am miserable. Am I not shunned and hated by all mankind? You, my
creator, would tear me to pieces and triumph;
remember that, and tell me why I should pity man more than he
pities me? You would not call it murder if you could precipitate me
into one of those ice-rifts and destroy my frame, the work of your own hands (130).
At these words Frankenstein feels compassionate for the monster he created and agrees to
its demands. He later is overcome by his mercy for mankind over his own selfishness and
realizes that the creation of another abomination is evil. Again it is proven that only
God in His immense wisdom can oversee and protect living beings. Man, as seen in
Frankenstein, will only fail at this futile endeavor.
Finally, Frankenstein's attempt to play God results in the downfall of his own sanity and
morality. This is first seen in his creation of the monster. Ironically, in the process
of his attempt to be Godlike, Frankenstein begins to act very immorally. He frequents
graveyards and has no respect for human life. ...I dabbled among the unhallowed damps of
the grave or tortured the living animal to animate the lifeless clay (39). In his quest
to be like God, he falls completely away. He also completely cuts himself off from his
family and friends. This too is ironic in that God reinforces the importance of family
bonds. Also, Frankenstein openly conveys hatred towards his creation and seeks to murder
it. Not only is he venturing further away from religion by desiring to kill another
living creature, but that creature is his own creation. Eventually, Frankenstein spends
his life on a miserable, heart-breaking pursuit of his creature. After the monster takes
all that he loves, Frankenstein exhibits an unrelenting desire for revenge and justice.
Yet again, although Frankenstein originally desires to be the Godlike creator of life, he
exhibits traits that are completely contradictory to his plight. In his quest through
life and for the monster, Frankenstein forfeits all of his happiness and all that he
loves. Being that God is love, one can see that the attempt of man to be God results in
suffering for his blasphemy.
In conclusion, Shelley illustrates the perils that can befall man if he actively seeks to
play God. Although man should live a moral life modeling that of God, man should not try
to himself create life and become a god. The foundation of Frankenstein's downfall is in
his early mistakes as a fallible human by not accepting responsibility for his own
creation that he so passionately works to bring into existence. His downfall is later
multiplied and eventually brings him to his death, because Frankenstein never actually
takes responsibility for his actions. He also never asks forgiveness of his fellow man
for creating such a diabolical creature or of his God. Man, being a fallible creature,
will never possess the characteristics of God, no matter how much science and technology
advance. Simply because the resources and knowledge are present to create, does not make
it a righteous endeavor.
Bibliography
Shelley, Mary W. Frankenstein. New York: Bantam Books, 1991.