Adversities of Scientific Knowledge in Frankenstein (1931) Film (Essay Sample)

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Adversities of Scientific Knowledge in Frankenstein (1931) Film
The film Frankenstein is a classic in many ways. Apart from being entertaining, it also provides an avenue of discussing the adverse side of science. The theme on adverse use of scientific knowledge well depicted in the film as directed by James Whale. The film which is based on Mary Shelley’s novel Frankenstein (1818). The character Frankenstein, is a man-made creation that resembles a human being. The creature turns out to bear little semblance to the human nature. Eventually, the ugliness of the creature is brought out in his actions as he becomes a menace to the human race. Frankenstein’s symbolically shows how scientists should take responsibility when conducting experiments particularly those based on the human anatomy. Such things as human cloning and genetic medication of unborn babies represent the Frankenstein-like scientific adversity in the modern day world. Science is a double-edged sword that cuts both ways and should, therefore, be handled with extreme care.
Scene Comparison
The film was produced in a spectacular way that allows for comparison. In this regard, two scenes will be used to show how science can benefit or destroy humanity if caution is not taken. These scenes conflict in terms of what they represent. One of them represents scientific triumph in that the scientist managed to create a human-like creature and bring it to life. The second one will show the hazardous nature of science when it gets out of hand. The central unifying motif in the film was the cracked nature of the creature. The cracks represent the cracks that exist in science in terms of knowledge gaps and lack of full knowledge on the human anatomy. The motif will be utilized to show the ups and downs of science knowledge in the case of Frankenstein.
Scene #1
The first scene is well ordered with the monster lying on the side with the scientists and his associates stay in wait for it to wake. There are lightning sounds in the background and flashes of light that are meant to dramatize the magnitude of the scene. In this scene, Frankenstein, the creature, ascends from the rooftop, the camera’s focus is on the right hand. The hand shows movement and Frankenstein exclaims, “It’s moving! It’s alive! It’s alive!” (Whale 39:20). This scene gave merit to surgical science in that it is possible to preserve life through it. It was a moment of triumph within the movie that is shared even in reality. People often go to surgeries expecting to be treated through the scientific knowledge on the human anatomy. Thus, by creating the creature through surgery and having it come alive, the scene reinforced the benefit of scientists having ample knowledge on the human anatomy enough to save life.
Nonetheless, in this case, the doctor had managed to create a life. Thus, the scene created a premonition of evil granted that the film was from the horror genre. The audience was treated to a pleasant and shocking surprise that led them to question the legitimacy of the process. The scene sets up the mood and feeling in the movie that something is bound to go wrong being a horror film. According to Tudor, “horror movies must be tapping deep-seated desires, gratifying obscure and private needs” (1931). As such, in the same way, scientists unsettle people all over the world through such experiments as genetic experimentation and human cloning. The movies as a whole served as a reminder that as the jubilates any form of scientific revolution, caution and restrictions should not be put aside. The cracks on the body of the creature are a representation of the fact that no matter how successful a scientific innovation might appear to be; it has its demerits that should be checked against what makes humans unique creatures.
Scene #2
The second scene involves the ambush on the monster by the torch-welding mob. It is a scene that bears significant meaning to the entire movie and to this discussion. It represents humanity against science. Humans applauded scientific revolutions that have benefited them whether individually or not collectively. However, through the imposed restrictions that exist on the medical field, some selfish, individual innovations have been banned. Take for instance genetic modification of embryos that seek to eliminate all manner of weaknesses such as shortness or other physical weaknesses. Such things are banned because they do not serve the majority but only a few. Therefore, the act of medical organizations banning some scientific activities is similar to the mob trying to stop the creature’s existence as they deem it a personal scientific innovation that challenges the very existence of human beings.
Frankenstein becomes aware that the monster will continue to attack people as it has already attacked Maria, Fritz, and Elizabeth. Frankenstein says to Waldman, “there can be no wedding when this horrible creation of mine is still alive. I made him with these hands, and with these hands I will destroy him” (Whale 68:42). The director of the film conveys this scene using ‘Narratives document’ idea of closed knowledge narrative. He notes that when a scientific experiment goes wrong and causes disorder, “attempts are made to resist the threat with a combination of expertise (sometimes based on exactly the same kind of knowledge as that originally causing the disorder) and coercion” (p. 84). This is...