Interwoven_Themes_in_Frankenstein

The book Frankenstein by Mary Shelley is one of the few amazing books that is able to tie different themes together in just one event or situation. Some of Frankenstein’s themes include knowledge, pride, and revenge. Mary Shelley was able to link all those themes together in just one passage, a passage that contained one of the most important events in the entire book. It includes Victor’s first day at university where he met a professor, Mr. Krempe, who did not approve of his knowledge of natural science. The passage touched on Victor’s knowledge, or lack thereof, Victor’s pride was hurt when he was scorned, and then the idea that Victor might seek some sort of revenge against Mr. Krempe. The revenge Victor sought was not a physical revenge, but more of a proof of intelligence. Victor developed the creature to prove himself, therefore tying in the themes mentioned in the passage to the idea of the creature. This passage interwove the themes knowledge, pride, and revenge to culminate in the starting point of Victor’s desire to develop the creature. The passage touches on the theme of knowledge when Mr. Krempe reprimands Victor for his lack of sufficient expertise in the area of Natural Science. While knowledge of the real world is important, knowledge of one’s self can be equally or more important. Victor, when he visited “some of the principal professors (pg. 57),” was looking to prove himself as a knowledgeable person. However, when asked by Mr. Krempe about the studies he, had made previously pertaining to natural science, Victor responded with a nervous demeanor, actually described as trembling. “I mentioned, it is true, with fear and trembling, the only authors I had ever read upon these subjects (pg.57).” The act of trembling changes Victor’s confidant persona to a nervous and ill prepared annoyance. It gives away Victor’s self knowledge of lack of progress in the Natural Sciences, affirmed by his father’s reactions to the books he [Victor] read and reaffirmed by the following reaction of Mr. Krempe. ‘“The professor stared: “Have you,” he said, “really spent your time in studying such nonsense'” I replied in the affirmative. “Every minute,” continued Mr. Krempe with warmth, “every instant that you have wasted on those books is utterly and entirely lost. You have burdened your memory with exploded systems, and useless names.’” To be told by a major professor that time has been wasted is a tough experience for one like Victor, a man who assumed himself better. However, Victor had the self-knowledge that he was not prepared. This theme of knowledge not only examines literal knowledge, but self-knowledge as well. This self-knowledge leads to two other themes of pride and revenge, as a direct result of understanding ones deficiencies, but having this other, brighter image of oneself that has to be fulfilled. Victor had a previously built up pride that he felt the need to rejuvenate. Victor’s pride is hurt when his esteemed professor, Mr. Krempe, scorned him. Victor has been building up the idea that he was intelligent his entire life even though he truly knew he was deficient in the studies of Natural Science. To be told in such a cruel manner that he wasted time and was basically inadequate is quite the blow to Victor’s self esteem. The quote from Mr. Krempe regarding Victor’s ill spent time is stated in the bluntest way possible, with no consideration for Victor’s feelings. The idea of self-knowledge truly plays a large role in the pride factor. Now Victor, as he believes, is forced to gain back pride and knowledge, just to fulfill his previously thought idea of himself. This moment in the novel defines the start of the search for Victor’s pride, or a way he can prove himself. This theme of pride cannot be mentioned however, without the idea of revenge. Many people think of revenge as physically getting back at another person who has wronged another. In this case, revenge would be getting back at Mr. Krempe by increasing Victor’s own knowledge and success rate, not by actually physically hurting Mr. Krempe. The revenge theme ties into the knowledge and pride theme because Victor’s knowledge is not great enough which results in a loss of pride. The loss of pride leads to the need to change things, and in other words, get revenge. This revenge had to be something that Victor could be proud of and feel accomplished about. This revenge eventually came in the form of the creature. “These thoughts [of the creature] supported my spirits, while I pursued my undertaking with unremitting ardour. My cheek had grown pale with study, and my person had become emaciated in confinement (pg.73). Victor worked extremely hard to create the creature, to help prove that Victor was knowledgeable and capable. Victor’s hard work and then success stands as Victor’s revenge against Mr. Krempe and his harsh words. The creature, declared by many as the main point of the novel, was developed as a result of the passage. The themes of knowledge, pride, and revenge all represent the main ideas in the passage as well as join together to form the basis of the idea to form the creature. The self-knowledge Victor displayed coupled with the need to prove himself and regain pride and revenge combined to become a defining point in the novel.