Frankenstein Quest For Knowledge Essay - 1299 Words

A bat and ball cost a dollar and ten cents. The bat costs a dollar more than the ball. How much does the ball cost? A vast majority of the people who come across this simple question answer quickly and confidently. The answer must be 10 cents. However, while this answer seems obvious, it is wrong. The correct answer is 5 cents. Through education and increased knowledge, people begin to use mental shortcuts to almost completely skip the normal thought process. This means that people with seemingly intelligent minds often are prone to over-confidence, extreme predictions, and the planning fallacy. In Mary Shelly’s Frankenstein, this same mental performance is seen in the main character, Doctor Frankenstein. Not only is he overconfident in†¦show more content†¦Ã¢â‚¬Å"In the University, whither I was going, I must form my own friends, and be my own protector. My life had hitherto been secluded and domestic†¦ I believed myself totally unfit for the company of stranger s.† (30) In this quote, we can see that Victor is struggling to accept the fact that he will now have to start over. This is just one example of his IQ vs. EQ imbalance. Another example can be seen much later in the book when Frankenstein has destroyed his second creation. Every decision in this situation reflects that of a person who’s EQ is detrimentally low. This can be seen as Frankenstein reconsiders his agreement to create a female version of his monster. â€Å"[She] might refuse to comply with a compact [of peace] made before her creation. They might even hate each other; the creature who already lived loathed his own deformity, and might not conceive a greater abhorrence for it when it came before his eyes in a female form? †¦ she might quit him, and he be alone again†¦Ã¢â‚¬  (153) This is a rash and fast conclusion that Frankenstein has come upon. Rather than sympathizing with the monster and understanding his requests, he chooses to betray them. â €Å"The wretch saw me destroy the creature on whose future existence he depended on for happiness, and, with a howl of devilish despair and revenge, withdrew. I left the room, and, locking the door, made a solemn vow in my own heart never to resume my labors...† (154) He doesn’t keep track of his own emotions and makes aShow MoreRelatedEssay on The Historical Perspective in Mary Shelleys Frankenstein1040 Words   |  5 PagesPerspective in Mary Shelleys Frankenstein Mary Shelleys Frankenstein is an early product of the modern Western world. Written during the Romantic movement of the early 19th century, the book provides insight into issues that are pertinent today. Similar to Johann Wolfgang von Goethes Faust, Shelleys Frankenstein concerns individuals aspirations and what results when those aspirations are attained irresponsibly. 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