In Shelley's Frankenstein, Victor
(the protagonist) became enthralled with the sciences at a very early age. At the age of
fifteen, Victor witnessed a lightening strike which completely destroyed a tree in his
yard. After witnessing this, Victor's curiosity regarding the sciences
exploded.
Prior to the lightening strike, Victor had been
heavily influenced by the books which his father kept in their home. His father had
painstakingly explained the philosophies of Agrippa to Victor. Here is where Victor's
true curiosity began.
When reading the works of the
philosophers, Victor came away from the texts feeling
unsatisfied.
In spite of the intense labour and
wonderful
discoveries of modern philosophers, I always came from my studies
discontented and
unsatisfied.
After studying
many great philosophers, Victor decided that "nothing would or could ever be known."
Victor needed to find something that could offer him
absolutes.
After the decision to give up his studies of
natural history (philosophies), Victor decided to study something which would offer him
concrete ideas.
In this mood of mind I betook myself to the
mathematics, and the branches of study appertaining to that science, as being built upon
secure
foundations, and so worthy of my
consideration.
Based upon
this, Victor seemed much more attuned with the world of mathematics given it is rooted
upon "secure foundations". The importance of solid and verifiable information made far
more sense to Victor than did the arguments of the philosophers.
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