Albert Einstein once said, "As our circle of knowledge expands, so does the circumference of darkness surrounding it." Science and scientists exist to create knowledge; however, it is often taken out of context and seen as monstrous or immoral. Victor Frankenstein, in Frankenstein, generates knowledge in the form of his creature's animation. Frankenstein obsesses over creating life, but then abandons his creation. His neglect of his creation as well as his misunderstanding of the implications of his research establishes his immorality. At the same time, the creature desires to learn, seeking out knowledge so that one day he might fit in with society. As Mary Shelley amply demonstrates throughout the novel, it is not the attainment of knowledge that is "bad" or immoral, but the ways in which knowledge is used by those who possess it. .
Under most circumstances, the attainment of knowledge is desirable: especially when it is for the benefit of society. Frankenstein's creature learns quickly, and uses his knowledge in an attempt to fit in. After first seeing the DeLacey family, the creature comes to admire the family. He learns of the family's poverty and determines to help them. He ceases from stealing from their stores and instead assists them while they sleep. He calls the family his "friends" and "protectors", though they would reject him should his existence be known. In return, they (unbeknownst to themselves) teach him how to speak, how to read, how to write, and how to understand society. The creature hears DeLacey, Agatha and Felix speak, and desires to be able to communicate with them: "These people possessed a method of communicating their experience and feelings to each other by articulate soundsThis was indeed a godlike science, and I ardently desired to become acquainted with it" (Shelley 114). He desires to speak and learn about society because he wants to one day fit in with his friends and the rest of the world.
