Science and/in Literature: The Scientific ‘Monsters’ in Victorian Fiction

Abstract

This paper aims to review how science and scientists are reflected in Victorian fiction. In the Victorian era, many writers could learn about science, and therefore produce stories which we now refer to as ‘science fiction,’ and which depict scientists challenging the limits of rationality, through experiments that produce irrational beings, referred to here as “monsters” or “devils.” However, are the products of the experiments the only ones that can be called ‘monsters’? Having a scientific mind means being creative, being unafraid to try new things, and willing to attempt to overcome any difficulties. Moreover, it implies that scientists are trying to find ways to improve the world via science. While science may indeed be viewed as a way to develop society, it can also be used as a means of simply satisfying the scientists’ curiosity and selfish needs. What has driven Victor Frankenstein to create a creature, and then abandon it? Why is Griffin unable to get help from other people? What has made Henry Jekyll end his life as Edward Hyde, only to return to his original self after death? The three writers of the famous Frankenstein, The Invisible Man, and Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde finished their books with one similar feature: their central figure, a scientist who brings irrational results into being, is met with a tragic death. These fictional scientists seem to believe that what they are doing is invaluable, and that their experiments will be remembered as some of the most wonderful achievements throughout history. Yet, the results are not of that kind. It turns out that society ends up fearing the results of science. Perhaps it is the scientists that the society fears, not their accomplishments.