Frankenstein, and A Brave New World
By: Greg Wasserman
College Now Course - SCI 1
A dark laboratory,
a mad scientist, these are the images we have of the story of Frankenstein.
Yet, Mary Shelly in her novel tells the tale of the genius university student
whose quest for knowledge creates what is known to children of all ages as
"Frankenstein". The cinematic representation of Mary Shelly's Frankenstein,
in an effort to increase the value of science fiction, implored the use of
several themes and motifs, in order to send a message to the viewer. These
themes connect Mary Shelly's Frankenstein to Albert Huxley's, A
Brave New World.
As the story begins, we are set in a very cold and icy land. A group of
explorers are on a journey to a new world, when they come across a man. Victor
Frankenstein is in great distress as he tells the men of the horror he endured.
Victor was a very intelligent man; his quest for knowledge knew no end. He
attended University, and while there he becomes particularly interested in
the relationship between electricity and the birth of life. With lab experiment
gone awry, he creates a creature that will cause the deterioration of his
life.
The setting of a story has great influence on the reader, and even more importance
to a viewer of a movie rendition. At every point in the movie, where life
is given or taken away, lightning appears. It is this motif that symbolizes
the evil of man, and the horror he can create. The story on which Frankenstein
is influenced by, the Creation story, uses lightning to symbolize death.
Another theme that is prevalent in Frankenstein is man's desire
and attempt to be omnipotent. Victor, in his journey for all knowledge, creates
a creature that is uncontrollable. This paradox of science is what frightens
scientists and politicians alike. Not being able to control what we create
will be the downfall of society and discovery. This is the point where science
becomes more of a risk than a reward.
All of the themes in Frankenstein, however, are similar to that of
A Brave New World. Many years into the future, scientists have figured
a way to revolutionize childbirth, and eliminate the maternal and paternal
duties of reproduction. Those who reproduce sexually are considered "savages".
When a savage is brought off the "reservation" and into the new
world the conditions lead him to suicide. The quest for discovery, and the
need to make society better leave both Victor and life in the "Brave
New World" undesirable. Societies have been reproducing using sexual
intercourse for millions of years. A Brave New World shows how we can destroy
years of scientific progress.
Both Mary Shelly and Albert Huxley used their literature, and eventually the
cinematic editions of their literature, to show how science can adversely
affect society. Science is a powerful entity, that if used improperly or without
understanding, dire consequences await. The setting in both stories contributes
to the delivery of the theme, and provides the viewer insight into the realm
of scientific possibilities of the future.