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Frankenstein Essay Outline

Thesis: Mary Shelley’s __Frankenstein__ depicts Socrates’ ideas and beliefs presented in __The Allegory of the Cave__. Victor Frankenstein, the escapee of the “cave”, is brought to the light of truth, where hunger for knowledge acts as a catalyst for ultimate peril. He encounters one of the prisoners of the cave, Walton, and shares his enlightenment about the falsehood of the images casted by the shadow, which they have been blinded by throughout their lives. Mary Shelley recounts this incident by describing Victor’s experiences as he breaks free from the bondage of superficiality and steps into the world of excruciating truth.
 * A. Introduction**

Victor’s obsession with knowledge (alchemy and chemistry) //Include Quote// - Make a parallel connection to Socrate’s philosophy and beliefs about human judgement His idea that he can seek truth through knowledge - find the elements of life by creating one //Include Quote// His belief that he can form a perfect human being (act like God in way) //Include Quote// He perceives knowledge as the direct road to the idealism/pefection.
 * B. Victor as a prisoner: blinded by the shadow**

The creation of the monster //Include Quote// Refer to the sunlight which blinds the released caveman in the allegory. The ugliness of the monster blinds Victor and forces him to run away to never see his face again. Later he gets used to the monster’s face
 * C. Victor is awakened/enlightened**

The death of his family and friends His crave for knowledge does not lead to perfection but rather destruction

Education, therefore distorts the mind of an individual into performing the unthinkable Victor realizes that he has neglected his own family and morality The more you know, the more responsibility you have to bear.

//Victor’s line when he meets Walton// Tells the "truth" to Walton: desire to achieve the impossible is absolute madness. do not be fooled. The idealism of education Walton believes him; yet, he mentions a bit of madness in Victor's story //Include Quote//
 * D. Victor goes back to the cave**

Sum up the points above. :)
 * E. Conclusion**