Moses Mbugua

IHON 112-03
Explication Paper
4/21/17
The Future of knowledge
In letter 1 of the novel Frankenstein, Frankenstein is writing to his sister while he is in

northern Europe. The biggest point of this passage is what may not be expected in a country of

light. Frankenstein discusses the theme of knowledge though the activity of sea exploration

while looking at that big question.

What is possible? Frankenstein implies this when he is imagining the northern lands

because he knows very little about them. Frankenstein explores the idea of possibility when

saying, I feel a cold northern breeze play upon my cheeksInspired by this wind of promise,

my day dreams become more fervent and vivid. Frankenstein makes the possibilities have such

a positive connotation in a way that sparks curiosity for more knowledge. He sparks curiosity in

us by describing the northern lands as a desirable place to visit, while displaying the intensity of

his curiosity. His thought about possibilities is one part of his question about the eternal light of

the northern lands. The positive possibilities are so strong to Frankenstein that he is not scared by

the bone chilling winds. He further insights us of the northern lands by saying, I try in vain to

be persuaded that the pole is the seat of frost and desolation, it ever presents itself to my

imagination as the region of beauty and delight. The positive possibilities are not outweighed

by any disparaging thoughts. He further shows us how strong his curiosity is with words like

beauty and delight, they create a positive tone around an unknown area. Since he knows nothing

about the northern lands, he seems illusioned by his excitement to explore. This permits him to

see only the merit of the positive possibilities. By thinking about the possibilities, he creates a

foundation for finding more knowledge. Through sea exploration, we get this notion of

possibilities which stems from a lack of knowledge.

Moses Mbugua
IHON 112-03
Explication Paper
4/21/17
Frankenstein combines the idea of knowledge with the question of what may be expected

in the northern lands through sea exploration. One point where he discusses knowledge is when

saying for with you my sister, I will put some trust in preceding navigators-there snow and frost

are banished. He is explaining that knowledge is putting some trust in what others (ex:

navigators) have found. Even though he has some trust in the knowledge of other navigators, he

exhibits some skepticism. His skepticism is displayed when he puts more weight on the positive

possibilities of this unexplored land. Furthermore his uncertainty sets precedence for finding

more knowledge. Frankenstein continues on by saying, its productions and features may be

without example, as the phenomena of the heavenly bodies undoubtedly are in those

undiscovered solitudes. In this part, we see knowledge to him means knowing how something

works. When he calls the northern lands a place of undiscovered solitude and phenomena of the

heavenly bodies, he is showing his desire for knowledge about the north-pole. Overall he speaks

positively of knowledge and the journey to getting it.

Even though he talks about the beauty of knowledge and the possibility of the northern

lands, he does not say a lot about what he is looking for. Frankenstein says, I may there

discover the wondrous power which attracts the needle. The needle he talks about is the needle

of a compass that always points north. This is one specific possibility, but he does not explain

why he cares about knowing more about the needle and how he would benefit from this

knowledge. This is just one example of the vagueness of his curiosity. He continues on by

saying, I shall satiate my ardent curiosity with the sight of a part of the world never before

visited. Frankenstein makes it seem like he is on a super important mission. He glorifies the

idea of doing something never done before, but he does not explain why this is important to him.
Moses Mbugua
IHON 112-03
Explication Paper
4/21/17
Nevertheless, the vagueness he expresses goes back to his question of what can be expected in a

country of eternal light. He does not know what to expect, but his positive perspective is what

makes this sea exploration interesting. The vagueness he demonstrates does show some of the

importance of knowledge to him, which is wanting a more firm understanding and not being

clueless.

The beauty of this passage is it creates a positive view of knowledge and finding it, which

is possible with guidance from the question What may be not expected in a country of eternal

light. Frankenstein makes the pursuit of knowledge more enticing to our imagination, thereby

creating curiosity in us. Frankenstein is able to support the theme of knowledge through the idea

of possibilities and exploration.