Themes and Symbols
Dangerous Knowledge
Several themes have been present in literature with the mad scientist since the time of Prometheus. One of which is the danger of knowledge. In Prometheus’ story the danger came when relieving the humans from their ignorance with fire. Zeus knew that giving humans this kind of knowledge could mean that they would deceive and disobey him. Prometheus knew this as well, but he’d rather risk everything than know that he was keeping humans from living to their potential. This theme is present in literature from the Enlightenment and Victorian Eras as well. These time periods were times of great change for culture and society. Naturally there were some hesitations, and if “literature is a representation of human condition” then these themes are the voicing of these hesitations. These reoccurring themes of these eras would be warnings of authors to scientists to consider the repercussions of their research.
Nature/God vs. Science/Knowledge
Another common theme of literature with mad scientists is nature or God versus science. The advances of science can be viewed as defying nature and depending on religious views, God or gods. Prometheus for instance had to deny the wishes of Zeus in order to provide knowledge which can be seen as a form of science. In Frankenstein, Dr. Frankenstein builds a monster out of dead body parts that he digs out of fresh graves. This not only goes against the social norms and could be considered a form of rebellion but also rejects the natural order to let the dead rest in their grave with no disturbance. The construction and reviving of his monster is the definition of unnatural. The dead must stay dead. He later recognizes that his monster is a disaster and accepts his defeat to the natural order. Medical ethics also fall under this theme. All scientists and doctors are required to follow the ethics that society find natural, or are God given rights. However, there has been numerous times in which these rights have been breached. Doctors and scientists then have to face their opponent face to face, either in court or in their conscious.
Fire
Fire is the symbol of knowledge which began with the story of Prometheus. With fire came the human knowledge of how to not only fight the elements, but conquer them as well. This symbol reappears throughout mad scientist literature. For instance lightening was used to revive Dr. Frankenstein’s monster. Without the lightning the monster would have no life force and what is life without knowledge?
Several themes have been present in literature with the mad scientist since the time of Prometheus. One of which is the danger of knowledge. In Prometheus’ story the danger came when relieving the humans from their ignorance with fire. Zeus knew that giving humans this kind of knowledge could mean that they would deceive and disobey him. Prometheus knew this as well, but he’d rather risk everything than know that he was keeping humans from living to their potential. This theme is present in literature from the Enlightenment and Victorian Eras as well. These time periods were times of great change for culture and society. Naturally there were some hesitations, and if “literature is a representation of human condition” then these themes are the voicing of these hesitations. These reoccurring themes of these eras would be warnings of authors to scientists to consider the repercussions of their research.
Nature/God vs. Science/Knowledge
Another common theme of literature with mad scientists is nature or God versus science. The advances of science can be viewed as defying nature and depending on religious views, God or gods. Prometheus for instance had to deny the wishes of Zeus in order to provide knowledge which can be seen as a form of science. In Frankenstein, Dr. Frankenstein builds a monster out of dead body parts that he digs out of fresh graves. This not only goes against the social norms and could be considered a form of rebellion but also rejects the natural order to let the dead rest in their grave with no disturbance. The construction and reviving of his monster is the definition of unnatural. The dead must stay dead. He later recognizes that his monster is a disaster and accepts his defeat to the natural order. Medical ethics also fall under this theme. All scientists and doctors are required to follow the ethics that society find natural, or are God given rights. However, there has been numerous times in which these rights have been breached. Doctors and scientists then have to face their opponent face to face, either in court or in their conscious.
Fire
Fire is the symbol of knowledge which began with the story of Prometheus. With fire came the human knowledge of how to not only fight the elements, but conquer them as well. This symbol reappears throughout mad scientist literature. For instance lightening was used to revive Dr. Frankenstein’s monster. Without the lightning the monster would have no life force and what is life without knowledge?