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The Rightful Place of Science: Frankenstein
Two hundred years after its publication, Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein continues to speak to modern concerns about science, technology, and society. The story of Victor Frankenstein and his creature has become a cultural touchstone through myriad theatrical renditions, movies, and other adaptations and allusions. But Shelley’s original tale is far richer and more relevant to contemporary issues than the common interpretation of Frankenstein as a warning against scientific hubris. The authors of the essays in The Rightful Place of Frankenstein examine the roots and origins of Shelley’s tragically flawed scientist and his benighted creature. They consider Frankenstein as a parable of creativity and responsibility that can help us better understand our current creative dilemmas. And they show how Shelley’s text foreshadows future technological innovations, and the challenges we anticipate from emerging fields such as synthetic biology and artificial intelligence. The bicentennial of this story of a scientist who failed to care for his creation provides an opportunity to explore creativity and responsibility across literary, scientific, social, and cultural dimensions.
92 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 31, 2017
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
January 26, 2025
The Frankenstein edition of this scientific series contains ten essays on the famous gothic science fiction novel. Each essay has its own flavor, but the main course centers around the idea that Victor Frankenstein’s major mistake was not his playing God to create life but his abandoning of his creation when it needed him. In essence, he gave up his curiosity and gave into his fear. In multiple essays, this argument is supplemented with the need to work collaboratively within a scientific community, a lesson Robert Walton, the foil and fictional explorer, may actually learn when he listens to his men, whereas Frankenstein himself never does.
Certain essays discuss Mary Shelley’s influences and far-reaching ideas. She was influenced by many works of literature, not least of which was the writing of her parents, who both espoused social constructivist theories, which we see on full display in the novel after the creature turns violent only after several bad encounters with others. She also creates a corollary between the creature and various marginalized groups, highlighted particularly well by W.E.B. Du Bois’ notion of “double consciousness,” wherein black folk must see from both their own perspectives and the perspectives of the dominant class of society.
The last essay strays furthest from the collection’s overarching argument, addressing the ways myths operate. In the case of Frankenstein, the story has been chopped up many times over the decades and repurposed as a myth for a new time and place for whomever may need to use it.
The book is mostly pretty serious. But there are some funny moments like when one writer suggests that a lack of adequate funding will lead people to continue their experiments through unorthodox means (i.e., graverobbing). Although, after looking a little into the underground biohacker movement, that warning may not be far off.
Certain essays discuss Mary Shelley’s influences and far-reaching ideas. She was influenced by many works of literature, not least of which was the writing of her parents, who both espoused social constructivist theories, which we see on full display in the novel after the creature turns violent only after several bad encounters with others. She also creates a corollary between the creature and various marginalized groups, highlighted particularly well by W.E.B. Du Bois’ notion of “double consciousness,” wherein black folk must see from both their own perspectives and the perspectives of the dominant class of society.
The last essay strays furthest from the collection’s overarching argument, addressing the ways myths operate. In the case of Frankenstein, the story has been chopped up many times over the decades and repurposed as a myth for a new time and place for whomever may need to use it.
The book is mostly pretty serious. But there are some funny moments like when one writer suggests that a lack of adequate funding will lead people to continue their experiments through unorthodox means (i.e., graverobbing). Although, after looking a little into the underground biohacker movement, that warning may not be far off.
December 22, 2017
This collection of thought-provoking essays on what the original Frankenstein; or The Modern Prometheus, crafted by Mary Shelley, has to teach us propelled the original novel from my "school-required read" list to "all time favorite" list. Even today, in such a drastically different world than compared to that fateful night of 1816, there is so much to discuss in regards to the book that has withstood time.
The essays, ranging from the cultural network and stamp of Frankenstein, to the warnings and encouragements of innovations in scientific advancement are well-strung and engaging. They make you want to stop a stranger on the bus ride home to tell them all about the new way you're looking at Artificial Intelligence as the Frankenstein of our day; whether or not they even understand your native tongue.
The diversity of topics that are tied together by a single theme gives something for everyone, anywhere, any time.
The essays, ranging from the cultural network and stamp of Frankenstein, to the warnings and encouragements of innovations in scientific advancement are well-strung and engaging. They make you want to stop a stranger on the bus ride home to tell them all about the new way you're looking at Artificial Intelligence as the Frankenstein of our day; whether or not they even understand your native tongue.
The diversity of topics that are tied together by a single theme gives something for everyone, anywhere, any time.
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews