The Fruits of Knowledge

One of the main differences between humans and other animals is extent at which we can acquire, store, and process knowledge. This knowledge that we gain, for the most part, furthers our potential and allows us to accomplish things that were unimaginable before certain knowledge was gained. For example, walking on the moon would have been unimaginable to anyone that lived before the 20th century. The acquisition of knowledge triggers changers in ourselves, causing us to evolve. While all knowledge has the potential to be beneficial to our evolving self, we can choose to use knowledge in such a way that can be detrimental to us. We can see the effects of the acquisition of knowledge in many works of literature that have been written through history, especially the Book of Genesis, Mary Shelley's Frankenstein, and the Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass.

In the book of Genesis, Adam and Eve are created into the world with no knowledge of good or evil. The only knowledge that they are given is the knowledge of their Creator and that they are not to eat of the fruit of the tree in the center of the garden. At this point, life is good for them. There is no really strenuous work, no disease or death, no pain whatsoever. After the serpent tempts them with the offer of more knowledge that will make them "become like gods," Adam and Eve go against their Creator's orders and eat the forbidden fruit, thus acquiring forbidden knowledge. This causes God to punish them, banishing them from the Garden of Eden and allowing death and pain to be a part of their lives. It was this urge to acquire knowledge that caused the Fall of Man. Adam and Eve also lost their innocence when they acquired the knowledge of good and evil. As we learn more about certain subjects, we also have to contemplate the whole moral issues surrounding those subjects. For example, as doctors started to study the unborn fetus and embryo, it brought to light many facts that suggest that the fetus and embryo are very much alive during the early stages of pregnancy and can indeed feel pain. This has caused many to question whether abortion is right or wrong. Therefore, the acquisition of knowledge both helped and hurt Adam and Eve. It hurt them because of the pain it caused, but it helped them, in a sense, because now they can distinguish whether or not an action is beneficial by weighing good versus evil (of course this benefit may or may not be beneficial in one's own mind, and of course the fact that now we have to die and take responsibility for our actions probably outweighs this small benefit).

In Mary Shelley's Frankenstein, the knowledge that Victor gained from his research enabled him to create life. If Victor had not taken advantage this knowledge to create the monster, his life would not have been so violently destroyed around him. The knowledge that he had gained would probably have been useful in helping doctors cure diseases and heal the body in other ways. Instead, Victor used his knowledge in a most horrible way. He played god with it. He created a creature and then left the creature to fend for himself. Victor's abuse of his knowledge led to pain and death. Even before anyone died at the hands of the creature, Victor concluded that his knowledge was too dangerous for anyone else to possess. The knowledge that Victor had gained from his research and experiences led him to make a judgment of good and evil. At one point in the novel, Victor is given the opportunity to end the monster's killing spree by creating for him a mate. We see a clear change in Victor's attitude from the beginning of the novel. When first tasting the fruit of the knowledge that he could create life, Victor pursued the fruit until the end. Now that Victor tasted the bitterness of such knowledge, he cannot bring himself to create another life. This choice has consequences, but shows that knowledge has caused Victor to evolve at least somewhat positively.

Frankenstein's Monster also evolved from acquiring knowledge. He became more aware of the world around him and realized that he was very different from other humans. After reading about his origin and realizing that not only all of humanity, but his Creator as well, hates him, the monster becomes angry with his existence and seeks vengeance on Victor. The monster gained knowledge in an environment without love or nurture. This put a bad spin on that knowledge, causing him much pain. This shows that gaining some knowledge in an unhealthy way can be bad on how a person evolves. This is perhaps why many of the criminals of society turned out the way they did.

In contrast to the other two stories, the Narrative of Frederick Douglass shows how beneficial knowledge can be when acquired in a healthy manner and put to proper use. Douglass was born a slave and was uneducated during his early life. However, after one his mistresses began to educate him, Douglass had a taste of that forbidden fruit. The difference between this forbidden fruit and the forbidden fruit of Genesis is that in Genesis the restriction was placed on it by God for a good reason (to keep Man innocent and unaccountable). The fruit that Douglass tasted was forbidden by oppressive slave owners who wanted to keep their slaves. After the master told the mistress what would happen if the slaves were educated, it was too late. Douglass had tasted enough and wanted more. Even without his mistress's help, he kept acquiring knowledge and learned how to read and write. He became educated. His education allowed him to escape the bonds of slavery and poverty. His education also allowed him to realize the wrongs of slavery and discrimination by race or sex. He worked to change the attitudes of society towards these subjects. Also, his education enabled him to let go of the anger he felt towards his slave owners. It was Douglass education that allowed him to one day get to speak in front of the US Congress. Douglass is a prime example of how far education can move a person up in this world, causing him to evolve for the better.

As we have seen, knowledge acquired in a healthy manner and used in a healthy manner moves us forward. However, knowledge gained in an unhealthy manner and used for unhealthy reasons causes us to move backwards as a person. We can become vengeful and angry at the hurt it can cause. Knowledge is gained through education by others or by one's self. Fear of the consequences of the knowledge or oppression by others through laws or other means (like lowering one's self-esteem) prevents one from gaining knowledge, but as Douglass and the Monster show, there are always ways to get around oppression. All knowledge can help us to evolve. Without gaining knowledge, we do not evolve at all. We must remember, however, that knowledge carries responsibility, and if we don't act responsible, that knowledge can be our downfall. Anytime we use knowledge to play God or become like God, we will fall. However, if we use that knowledge to better ourselves in a good way, we can lift ourselves above stereotypes, oppression, poverty, or any other obstacles that lay before us. This is the goal of education: to let us taste the forbidden fruit that will allow us to rise up above others, hopefully to better society, not cause its downfall.

Davon Ferrara