Frankenstein Essential Question #2

11/7/2022

In what ways can imagination and inspiration unleash the best and worst in humankind?

Primary Blog Expections: 200-250 words, minimal errors in grammar and usage, thoughtful and thorough writing. Please use the name you were assigned in class as your nom de plume and be sure to add word count. Due by 11:59 PM Friday night.

Secondary Blog Response Expectations (read everyone's primary responses, select two that interest you, and respond to their ideas): 100-150 words EACH, minimal errors in grammar and usage, thoughtful and thorough writing. Please use the name you were assigned in class as your nom de plume and be sure to add word count. Due by 11:59 PM Sunday night.

Marietta Hannon Rousseau

11/8/2022 10:00:55 am

Imagination, if in the wrong hands, can lead to mass destruction; all devices of war (guns, grenades, etc.) started off as a dream. The same can be said about Frankenstein; Victor’s dream was to use the sciences to recreate life-- but this led to the creation of a “monster” (in his eyes). Furthermore, in order to achieve this dream, Victor neglected all of his bodily needs and became a recluse. All of this was a result of following his imagination; was it worth it? His imagination has damned him to a life of fear, anger, and remorse.

On the opposite end of the spectrum, Victor’s imagination is what allowed him to get so far in life. If it weren’t for his dream to become one of the great thinkers of the time, he would have never gone to college and been influenced by Walden and Krempe. Following your imagination can be a beautiful thing, if you do not allow it to eat you alive.

Caroline Eichler

11/13/2022 04:54:10 pm

Like you said, Imagination is definitely something that can simultaneously be extremely contributive and damaging to society.

We can see the duality of imagination through Frankenstein’s consciousness: On one hand, he is inspired by his neighbor’s generosity and imagines himself as someone who also replicates their generosity to his neighbors and society. On the other hand, he also becomes destructive to his surroundings by imagining himself being rejected by all living beings because of his experiences and appearance.

It really just matters what you experience and how that impacts your impression of the different things in our life. Those experiences and impressions affect what we imagine and what we do moving forward.

Should this possibility of destructive imagery limit imagination? Wouldn’t limiting harmful imagination also limit the benefits of imagination? Wouldn’t limiting imagination raise the question of ethics?

Marietta Hannon Rousseau

11/13/2022 08:23:22 pm

I love the questions that you posed! I believe that imagination and creative should not be limited because that would lead to the world being in a constant state of sameness; nothing (good or otherwise) would be created. Society would not be able to advance. I think that issues that arise due to imagination should be dealt with when they appear; limiting imagination in all forms is unethical and authoritarian.

Agnes Marie Clerke

11/8/2022 08:07:33 pm

Imagination is the most powerful tool within the human arsenal. It can create new inventions and tell amazing stories. Without it, we would probably not be where we are today.

Things that are the best are things like medicines and stories. I believe books are some of the best things humans have created. However, some books are the worst in humankind. Books used for propaganda or spreading bad personal motives. Within Frankenstein, Victor's imagination and Robert Walton's goal for glory shows the best parts of imagination. Their imagination allowed them to create something new and unite people for a goal.

Whereas, imagination also allows for the inhumane parts of humanity. Every single thing bad in this world was created by somebody's imagination. Nameless torture methods, evil complex punishments and just harsh actions are all due to someone's imagination. Things in Frankenstein like Victor's overwhelming fear of his creature and the judge's verdict are some of the worst things created from imagination.

Jane Kilby Welsh

11/11/2022 09:24:57 pm

I really liked how you used the nuance of books to explain the power of imagination. Books are a direct manifestation of humanity's inspirations and imaginations, making them a forefront of knowledge. Books have an immeasurable influence on the people who read them, giving them the power to promote both love and hate. This same nuance can be applied directly to imagination--though it has the power to create, it also has the power to destroy. It is because of this that humanity must use its imagination to encourage good and not evil. To do that, we must only act upon our inspirations only once we have established an awareness towards mankind.

Rosalie Slaughter Morton

11/13/2022 10:14:40 pm

I disagree that Victor's imagination and Walton's goal for glory are examples of the best parts of imagination. It was because of Victor's imagination that he created this creature, and although the creature is inherently good and possesses human emotions, it has endured so much pain and caused pain to where it's absolutely pointless for him to have been created in the first place. The creature is an example of Victor testing how far his imagination could go and an example of a wild idea that should have never come true. Walton's desire for glory seems innocent and may be a good thing, but it gets to a point where we must ask ourselves just how far someone like Walton would go to become famous and achieve that glory he's been seeking. What he does to get to his goal can be something done with malicious intent which would be bringing out the worst in humankind.

SOFYA KOVALEVSKAYA

11/13/2022 11:44:44 pm

The point you make about storytelling is extremely relevant to human kinds and the pathways of its imagination. However, when the purpose of a story is to no longer inspire or create alternate realities that remain fictional for eternity, but rather to push hate and ignorance, it no longer is a story. When it reaches that point, it is true to the identity of the teller, who in turn uses that outlet to deem it creative, when in truth, there is nothing imaginative about it.

Jane Elanor Datcher

11/14/2022 01:07:50 am

I agree with you. I think imagination can be both amazing and horrible. Our minds create what we drive them to. Oftentimes our minds can think both good or bad things so it creates room for invention and inspiration to not only carry out certain acts but also inspire others.

Rebecca Lee Crumpler

11/9/2022 11:26:21 am

I think that imagination and inspiration are both things that can bring out the best in humans but then I think they can also bring out the worst in humans also. For example having a good imagination is a good thing for humans because lots of good things are made from one person imagining that something is the way it is. Then on the other side of the spectrum a lot of bad things have happened or have been made because a person had the imagination for it. Inspiration can also be just as bad as imagination, but then just as good. An example of Inspiration being a bad thing was Hitler's mindset toward Jews in that sense that he was inspired by the idea of a pure German race. An example of inspiration being a good thing is harriet tubman when she was starting the underground railroad freeing slaves and leading them to freedom, the underground railroad then inspired other people to continue fight for the rights of people of color. I believe that Inspiration and Imagination can be a good thing for the right people, but it could be just as bad as it is good.

Jane Kilby Welsh

11/11/2022 09:52:58 pm

Hitler's influence on humanity reminds us of the impact of imagination. When manipulated, the imagination can overcome all sensible thinking. Hitler incited violence and hatred within millions of people by provoking their imaginations, and thus their fears. Using the imagination, Hitler strengthened existing prejudices and fears towards the Jewish, gaining him political power whilst promoting anti-Semitic ideals. Though imagination can be a powerful tool in creating change and innovation, it can also incite fear and hysteria, which is why it is important to acknowledge the power of the imagination while still considering it with a grain of salt. In doing so, we can encourage society's growth while dismissing the immoral motivations of wicked people.

Julia Lermontova

11/13/2022 10:04:44 pm

I agree with you 100%. I feel like imagination is a good thing but there are definitely some negative aspects to it. I feel like anything that can be good can also be bad too and vice versa. The example you gave of Hitler and the Jews is a prime example of how imagination can have some negative aspects to it. I appreciate how you gave an example of how imagination can be a positive and a negative thing.

Jane Elanor Datcher

11/14/2022 01:05:02 am

I agree with you. I think in many aspects inspiration and imagination can be great things and lead people to greatness. I also think inspiration and imagination can lead to the downfall of many. To connect to what you said about Hitler, he imagined a world with no Jews and used his inspiration and beliefs to carry that out.

Emily Stowe

11/9/2022 11:29:31 am

Imagination is a weapon that everyone can hold but only a select few wields to its full power. Imagination is what led to the invention of the medicine and it also led to warfare. The imagination of one person has many implications that lead to potentially historical events. Imagination is the essence of discovery and discovery is what drives everyone to their life goal whether that be riches, love, moral goals, or redemption. Our imagination is the most deadly weapon we have at our disposal but also the most useful tool.

ANNE MARY PERCEVAL

11/12/2022 12:47:20 pm

I agree with the statement you made but i think it has a more positive than a negative impact because i think due to our imaginations were able to notice options that would otherwise be obscure to us. It enables us to think creatively and perceive the world differently. It enables us to comprehend intricate ideas and devise fresh answers to challenging issues. But i like the last few sentence where you state " Our imagination is the most deadly weapon we have at our disposal but also the most useful tool."

Agnes Marie Clerke

11/13/2022 05:29:40 pm

I agree that not everyone uses their imagination to the fullest or knows how to wield it. For example, sometimes I will talk with a friend and they will start creating things that I can't even imagine. But other times, ideas can't be explained. I think that is why different mediums are very important. Each person has a different mindset and can express it in different ways. Therefore it is important to have things like art, music and writing.

Julia Lermontova

11/13/2022 10:15:08 pm

I appreciate how you took the response and related it to a real life situation that you noticed. I also appreciate when you said . Each person has a different mindset and can express it in different ways" Because you are totally right. And that just goes to show that imagination can take a left or right turn

Emily Stowe

11/14/2022 07:35:09 am

This is exactly why imagination should be encouraged all throughout school and other forms of education such as music and arts. There is some explanation of ideas that cannot be verbalised because it is the idea we cannot comprehend our own thoughts. I think it just goes to show how powerful and dangerous our own imagination is.

Marietta Hannon Rousseau

11/13/2022 08:30:34 pm

I really like this response-- especially the last line. I believe that it call comes down to the individual's intentions, experiences, and emotions. Human imagination can be a weapon of mass destruction, or a dove of hope. This makes me think of how the Creature was capable of friendship, selflessness, and love, AND murder, rage, and destruction; in this case, it was his experiences and upbringing that led his imagination down a destructive path.

Rosalie Slaughter Morton

11/13/2022 10:33:05 pm

I agree with what you say about imagination because it is truly something that can both create and destroy. It's such a powerful thing because imagination can turn into reality whether it's good imagination or "bad". Victor's imagination is a perfect example of "if you can believe it, you can achieve it". His imagination led him to believe creating this creature was possible even though no one has ever done it before, and he made it happen because he believed in it and his imagination was so powerful.

Mary Ainsworth

11/18/2022 06:31:41 pm

I agree with your proposition that imagination is a powerful thing to yield, and in yielding it, powerful outcomes can occur. However, I disagree with the way you describe imagination in absolute terms; with such an abstract concept, there are many nuances that can occur. Also, I am still wondering, in what ways can imagination show the worst and the best in human kind? You do define imagination from your point of view but you don't give clear examples.

Jane Kilby Welsh

11/11/2022 08:57:54 pm

Imagination, like anything, can bring about destruction if it is not used alongside empathy. It is the responsibility of mankind to assess humanity before acting upon inspiration, for it is the same imagination that can create medicine that can create war. When man uses imagination for the betterment of humankind, the resulting innovations can save lives and inspire transformation. When used to fulfill the selfish inhibitions of humanity, it can create vessels of devastation. It is because of this that we must approach our imagination with sensibility—inspiration is a powerful tool, and with power comes great responsibility. In Frankenstein, Victor acts upon his insatiable desire to bring life back to the dead, but fails to recognize his obligation to care for so-called life. If he had acted with compassion, Victor’s discovery could have been revolutionary to science and the advancement of mankind. Instead, Victor chooses to neglect the Creature and consequently creates a being capable of death and destruction. Shelley’s lesson of responsibility teaches us that anything can become corrupt if it is not regarded with benevolence and care—the same applies to imagination, for we must approach our inspirations with the utmost regard for its impact on life and humanity.

ANNE MARY PERCEVAL

11/12/2022 01:12:03 pm

i really like how you brought neglection into this because i feel like people tend to do bad things when they feel neglected so they tend to want any validation they can get so they can feel wanted its their imagination that leads them into rashing out.

ANNE MARY PERCEVAL

11/12/2022 12:40:04 pm

How can creativity and imagination bring out the best and worst in people? But what happens when they are applied to malicious apex? People can imagine some very horrible things when they let their imaginations go wild. The way we decide to interpret the information we get could hold the key to the solution. We have a better chance of seeing the best in people and circumstances when we allow our thoughts to be open to fresh and varied perspectives. But if we read information negatively, we can just as quickly assume the worst about people and circumstances.Our ability to imagine is really strong. It may, however, also have negative effects. Consider a scenario in Frankenstein when he wanted to bring the dead to life. He was so motivate to put in extra effort to accomplish his objectives that he spend so much time being in isolation just to complete his goal.

Agnes Marie Clerke

11/13/2022 05:37:35 pm

In response to the idea of letting your imagination run wild, what would happen if the imagination was restricted? Personally, I think it gives the illusion of a utopia. Nothing would be wrong in the supposed world and not a single person could speak against the government. Therefore, a single person with an imagination would be the most powerful weapon imaginable.

Caroline Eichler

11/12/2022 02:09:56 pm

Inspiration is what makes people really step out of their comfort zone to become something they want to become. If it weren't for Frankenstein's neighbors, he wouldn't have started learning something mysterious and difficult to him as language. If he never saw how kind and willing his neighbors were to help others, he wouldn't have thought of helping other beings when he had nobody and nothing to support him. If it weren't for the joy and comfort he gained from seeing his neighbors experience a happy life, Frankenstein wouldn't have gone out of his safe cabin to try and make connections knowing they may fail and cause him to attempt anything again. Just by seeing others succeed and do things you find cool to experience, people try so many different things they wouldn't have done if they didn't see others do them.

Using your imagination, you can put yourself in others' shoes. You can see what could happen if you step out of your comfort zone. If Frankenstein didn't imagine himself becoming friends with the neighbors and having a warm, comforting place to stay, he wouldn't have seen the reason to put himself out there.

What we imagine and aspire to be, feed off of each other. If we see something that seems intriguing, we picture ourselves involved in it in our heads. If we think something works like a charm in our heads, we may even take some steps to achieve that something in real life. If you see other people skydiving, having the time of their life, and you picture yourself jumping off of a plane 1000ft in the air, enjoying the sight and adrenaline of skydiving, then you might do it. Or you might picture it in your head, think that 1000 ft in the air sounds terrifying, and never do it your entire life.

Only if you imagine something and find it interesting, will you actually go through with something you see others do. Otherwise, it's something new you experienced secondhand.

Regina Fieszarowa

11/13/2022 03:19:56 pm

Imagination is the key to transformations and creations. It is a powerful brain booster because it makes you think in ways which is not standard for people. The ability to imagine things pervades our entire existence. Imagination gives us the ability to be elaborate concepts, dreams and inventions, but we have to choose whether we want these imaginations to be beneficial to us or hurt us.

Without Imagination, this world wouldn't be what it is today. Imagining the future enables us to evaluate alternative paths forward. The question is, is this person going to make this path a good path or a bad path? It is up to humans whether to determine what our abilities will destine. Imaginations and Inspirations can open great inventions, and humans can use it to make the world a better place, or they can be greedy and use these inventions as powerful weapons to destroy others.

Victor was fascinated with science and its creations, which is why he went ahead and created "The Creature". If Victor wanted The Creature to be something beneficial to his environment he would've done everything in his ability to do this.

Caroline Eichler

11/13/2022 06:09:14 pm

Interesting how you portrayed the choice of how we use our imagination to our or to the world's advantage as the determined factor as to whether imagination is an evil or beneficial thing. I agree with this since we can see in modern day how some things that were originally created to help those in need became a novelty to some because a select few wanted to make it into a profitable business (like Insulin).

I also want to add to this idea of how our approach on how we use our imagination by saying: it could also be a harmful/helpful thing based on how we imagine it impacts your self compared to how others imagine it impacts themself. Sometimes we may use something that helps us, but to others, it may not help them if they use it. For example, some people may imagine painting as a peaceful and mind refreshing activity. To others, they may imagine painting as this pain-staking tedious process where the end process has to be exactly how they imagine it to be.

It all depends on how we imagine this certain thing for our situation. Which is why imagination is so important, it's the only way we can see if something can work out for us or not. Whether we want to see what we play out in our heads or not is definitely up to ourselves.

Elizabeth Acevado

11/13/2022 08:27:42 pm

Imagination can definitely bring out the best in mankind because of the wonderful creations ambitious people have created. For example, inventions like cars and airplanes, which help everyone live easier lives, once came from someone’s imagination. Thinking less tangibly, humanity has received MLK’s “I Have a Dream” speech and a more united country partly because of MLK’s imagination of a more racially equal United States. However, sometimes someone’s imagination can have negative effects on humanity. One way that imagination could negatively affect humanity is through smartphones. They were originally meant to help us communicate faster and receive information more efficiently but now it has become very addictive for many people and it is negatively affecting our whole generation. Even cars and airplanes, which were previously mentioned as benefiting society, can also have some negatives because they contribute to global warming. In Frankenstein, Victor’s imagination and inspiration to use science allowed him to create the creature which is both a good thing and a bad thing. It’s a bad thing because of the destruction the creature causes and a good because of how he represents Victor’s work ethic in a way.

SOFYA KOVALEVSKAYA

11/13/2022 11:50:15 pm

Your comment in regards to the negative and positive aspect in which imagination can lead to had me ponder on this question:

Is there a difference in the process of creation and thought that has a direct effect on the outcome of imagination?

Did smartphones have a malintent, or did their creators fail to see the addictive nature of humans, or was there a moment in the process of creation which altered the way the world took it.
It is also interesting to consider how one's imagination could be seen as 'good' to them, but cruel to another. Suppose, it is always like this and harmful intentions did not exist. Is it because of the difference in mind, genetics, and nurture that our perception is so vastly different?

Elizabeth Acevado

11/15/2022 05:11:23 pm

To answer your question, I think that there is a difference in the creation and thought that affects the outcome of imaginations. Thoughts are only in your mind, while creations actually exist. Thoughts are pretty much meaningless without action, but creations have the actual ability to affect. I don't think the creators of smartphones had mal intent and I believe that sometimes there's some bad things that come out of good things. Nothing's perfect. There's always some bad to seemingly good things and some good things in seemingly bad things.

Julia Lermontova

11/13/2022 09:56:25 pm

I believe that Imagination can bring out the best in people. Imagination is very important in everyday life due to the fact that it influences a lot of the things we do. Imagination allows us to explore the past and to imagine the future. Imagination conveys truths that reality hides and stimulates us to create new knowledge. This allows us to grow as individuals. Without this creative power we may never have had the internet, smartphones, airplanes, and other amazing technology we rely on every day. Simply put, imagination is the key ingredient to expansion and the advancement of our world

Elizabeth Acevado

11/15/2022 11:30:30 am

I agree with you that inventions are important to the advancement of the world. What are your thoughts about how this is related to the story Frankenstein and Victor's imagination? Do you think that Victor's imagination hurts him or the people around him? Do you think the creature he has created is mainly positive or negative to his community and why? I think that generally Frankenstein's creature has the potential to bring out the best of his community but isn't there yet. If taught and supported by his community, he can help those around him. He treats others how they treat him. If only they could treat kindly and help him could he have a positive affect others.

Rosalie Slaughter Morton

11/13/2022 09:57:59 pm

Imagination and inspiration can bring out the best in mankind because great inventions and advances in technology are the results of someone getting that light bulb "ah ha" moment and creating something new. Without imagination we wouldn't have new and improved technology, all kinds of technology not just electronics. Everything would look the same and there would be no kind of individuality or variety if there wasn't any imagination to create new things. However, the kind of inspiration determines what the results would be. If one is inspired by something evil or ill-intended, then this can serve as an example where inspiration can bring out the worst in humanity. And because imagination is so subjective, who's to say what one person imagines is any better or worse than the next person. However, it's the end result of this imagination that is going to determine whether this person's imagination was for the best or worse of humanity. In Frankenstein for example, his inspiration was something as innocent as someone else's book and research, but it was his imagination that corrupted and determined what he created. It's still to be determined whether his creation was best or worst for humanity, but as it stands it seems like it was for the worst since everything that bad that happened could have been avoided if he wouldn't have gone this far in making the monster.

Marie Curie

11/14/2022 09:12:13 pm

I agree - imagination and inspiration has built the world today and can do great and terrible things for society. Where the line is drawn, between beneficial and detrimental, is where the inspiration is derived from. It is comes from ill-intent and malicious idea, then it can lead your imagination of something into a downward spiral in mankind's mind that cannot be saved. However, if someone's inspiration comes from good, their imagination may produce something beneficial to society. This is not to say where inspiration is derived from is the sole factor in whether whatever is produced is the best/worst for mankind - it can also come from obsession. No matter where the idea was determined from, imagination and obsession is never a good pair. Obsession will make one forget reality and forget where their idea originally came from, leading it to nothing it was intended for.

SOFYA KOVALEVSKAYA

11/13/2022 10:48:26 pm

Imagination and inspiration take place in a location that is often uncomfortable to ourselves and the world around us. It is something that is a stretch for many, but can open so many doors of opportunity.

It is important to understand that imagination is often associated with unworldly ideas; things that could never possibly occur. As a society, we use these thoughts to create things attainable for humans, often leading to innovation and a broadened curiosity. However, when we keep our imagination abstract to earth, but try to make it a reality, destruction can occur. These two contrasting actualities can be seen through humans' everyday choices. Airplanes, skyscrapers, or even speed boats were created through grand imaginations, but made to benefit the world by aligning it with the innate tendencies of humankind. However, nuclear warfare is a perfect example of the absence of transition, which has led to an incomparable amount of hurt. Victor Frankenstein also shows this to be true. Creating life from the mind, rather than the anatomy of a human is cause for chaos, and something that should stay a thought. By creating a creature without considering its consequences, Victor's inspiration went too far.

Mary Ainsworth

11/18/2022 02:07:04 pm

I find your response very interesting! I loved that you separated the thought of imagination from the action of imagination. You explained that imagination is associated with "unworldly ideas" and that in the action of making these ideas attainable, we commit dangerous actions. However, in my interpretation of your response I believe that what makes our actions dangerous are not the attainment of our imaginative thoughts, but rather that our imaginative thoughts can never be attained. Of course this proposition is not absolute, however, dangerous actions always come to an end, and an individual's imagination is never fully fulfilled. For if it was, then it would no longer be a threat of danger. For example, in Hitler's attempt of genocide ultimately failed in his commitment of suicide; his imaginative thought was to complete the genocide of the Jewish culture (along with others), but upon the invadement of the Western Allied armies, his imaginative thought could not have been fulfilled, had he fulfilled his imagination (hypothetically), with the complete genocide of the Jewish Culture, they would not have been in danger. It is the presence of something that can be threatened that creates danger, and it is the need to preserve this presence that amplifies it. It is the fact that abstract imaginative thought cannot be attained that leads to dangers when one tries to attain it.

Jane Elanor Datcher

11/14/2022 12:58:12 am

Imagination and inspiration can unleash the worst in humankind when people let their imagination consume them. As readers can see in Frankenstein, Victor completely lets his work/studies consume him to the point in which he ignored his grieving family members, ignored his health, etc. Victor began to dehumanize everything around him and it wasn’t even on purpose. I think imagination and inspiration can be best when creating greatness from it, when our mind leads us to passion. I think it’s an amazing thing when you can be inspired by someone and actually go somewhere with it. For example: Victor followed krempe’s studies in Frankenstein and went even further with them, he created life. As humans we are one of our biggest enemies, we have to understand how to control ourselves to make the best decisions so we don’t end up destroying ourselves.

Marie Curie

11/14/2022 09:07:11 pm

I completely agree - even though imagination and inspiration are responsible for the ever-changing world around us, we cannot let it consume us and take over our lives and aspirations. Frankenstein was unable to let go of his creation, which he ended up despising. He forgot about his family, his mental AND physical health, his classes, his ethics, and most importantly, he forgot reality. Frankenstein should have had a sit-down with someone sane during his process to rethink the ethics of what he was trying to produce, and reexplain his obsession with such thing.

Nadezhda Ziber-Shumova

12/6/2022 02:54:22 pm

I agree with your point. However, how might we actually define what doing things for “greatness” is? What is greatness? And is what Victor achieved not greatness? Victor did fulfill greatness, but did not face the demands it made of him. It came with the package, so to say. Victor was not prepared for that overwhelming burden. Achieving greatness was not what enlightened Victor; it was his maturity, by letting go of the pursuit of glory. I like how you related imagination and inspiration to his dehumanization. We as readers were witness to his moral decline, caused by something usually seen by society as good and of great value. I find it most ironic, truly; from the greatest burst of passion, full of energy and hope and ideas, filled to the brim with them, daring to play with life, elements that are beyond our powers as humans, to the eventual depletion of his being: his death.

Marie Curie

11/14/2022 09:03:13 pm

I believe imagination and inspiration are solely responsible for innovation, creation, and progress in society. Any item that has been invented, any idea that has been acted on, and most importantly any change in today's world has been brought up through imagination and inspiration. One has to think of a better world or better way of doing things, and use inspiration to make it happen in our reality.

However, imagination and inspiration can also take a turn for the worst. Imagination has no limit, therefore it knows no bounds to the extent which it can go. For example, Frankenstein wanted to create something grand and act on his imagination of reanimation; however, he went too far and destroyed any ethics in his scientific field, while also creating a danger to society.

Nadezhda Ziber-Shumova

11/17/2022 03:39:33 pm

Imagination is creativity, while inspiration is drive. There have been many creative people that have succeeded in bringing forth their brilliant ideas, and the world in turn gave praise and high respects to them. However, this does not mean every idea is beneficial. Not every idea needs to be acted upon, because not every idea is a good idea. Allowing imagination to seep into reality without having a sense of responsibility for it is as worse as being a spectator to abuse and not acting against it. Its repercussions are severe. Humans have had a long history of having their want for power overcome mortality, values, and empathy. This is obviously what happened to Victor. From the time he enters Ingolstadt, we gradually witness his moral decline. He likes to think he is a good person, but really the irony is that his “monstrosity” was not of the Creature’s kind, but it was more of an internal event that was very subtly hinted at through his actions. He also likes to think how whatever may have happened to him was because of his creation, but really there is an underlying truth that this was the type of person Victor Frankenstein was all along; holding on to a lie so tightly, he did not even love his family enough to tell the truth. Yes, he was creative, and yes, he did have inspiration, but did he have the right kind? I think for imagination and creativity to have a positive effect, it would need to be born from a wholesome origin, and the creator would need to accept accountability for whatever repercussions his/her making would bring.

Mary Ainsworth

11/18/2022 01:00:28 pm

Imagination and inspiration can release the worst in human kind because these are feelings that correspond with thought, and thought knows no bounds. This means that, with an endless multitude of thoughts, one can commit an endless multitude of actions. When these actions are uncontrolled and fueled by one's own will, the results can be disastrous if left unchecked. This occurred in Mary Shelley's "Frankenstein" when Victor Frankenstein himself sought to conquer death and control the birth of life. Isolated, his thoughts led him to create what he thought was a monster and these actions gradually showed the worst in human kind in Victor himself, who refused to explain to anyone his actions in order to prevent the death of his loved ones. In a way, the monster represents the devolution of Victor's humanity and is the physical symbol of an imaginative thought that has been left to its own devices. These devices are seen to be death and destruction, which is why imagination can bring out the worst in human kind.
Imagination and inspiration, on the other hand, can also bring out the best in human kind. When thoughts are able to run free, this does not mean that the worst outcome will always occur; sometimes thoughts of the human mind can be chased and the best in human kind can be brought out. This occurs in everyday life, and has occurred all throughout history. In art, science and social justice, humans have used their imaginative thoughts to create, research, and advocate causing humans to relate emotions, life saving advancements, and equity.
The impact that imagination and inspiration has on society depends on the intentions behind the person to which the former are occurring. When thoughts of free will occur, it is up to the individual themselves to decide the outcome of these thoughts.

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