History- Frankenstein
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“So much has been done, exclaimed the soul of Frankenstein—more, far more, will I achieve; treading in the steps already marked, I will pioneer a new way, explore unknown powers, and unfold to the world the deepest mysteries of creation.” (Shelley, Frankenstein, Ch. 3)
The pursuit of knowledge and the creation of the new are the central themes in the book. The passage above exemplifies how these two themes are brought out in the novel. Evidently, this passage suggests that Victor, who is the speaker of these words, is on a quest to gain knowledge on the secret to life. He remembers the teachings of his former professor, and he uses this as guide towards achieving his life goals. Accordingly, this passage explains that the path to discovery is dependent on what has previously been done by others. Only through the examination of the previous can humanity have the ability to gain knowledge, as well as, wish for more knowledge, which in turn translates to discovery. Put simply, gaining knowledge on a particular issue arouses curiosity for more information on the issue. This, in turn, provokes individuals to venture into the unknown in search of that extra knowledge.
As the passage explains to discover the new, individuals must set their minds to discovering more than what has already been discovered. They must be ready to explore the unknown and unfurl the mysteries of the world. Only through this can individuals pioneer a new line of thought, a new way of understanding some of life’s deepest mysteries, as well as, the discovery and creation of the new. More specifically, the passage relates to discovering the creation of humanity, which is also, what the novel is about. In essence, the creation of humans and the secret to life has been linked with the discovery of the unknown, as well as, the hidden mysteries about life. Taking the words of his professor to heart, Victor sets out to quench his thirst for knowledge and discover the secret to life.