Timed Writing

Time Allotted: 40 minutes

In Frankenstein Mary Shelley writes:

A human being in perfection ought always to preserve a calm and peaceful mind, and never to allow passion or a transitory desire to disturb his tranquility. I do not think that the pursuit of knowledge is an exception to this rule. If the study to which you apply yourself has a tendency to weaken your affections, and to destroy your taste for those simple pleasures in which no alloy can possibly mix, then that study is certainly unlawful, that is to say, not befitting the human mind. (1831)

What assertion does the speaker raise about the impact of knowledge?

In a well-organized essay, state whether you agree, disagree or qualify this assertion, based on your reading, experiences and observations.

Note: when we ‘qualify,’ we look at degrees to which we both agree and disagree. Typically, we use conjunctive adverbs in the introduction. These include: however, but, still, since, although, while, and yet.