The Dangers of Technology: A Comparison of Kipphardt’s “In the Matter of J.R. Oppenheimer” and Shelley’s “Frankenstein”
Kipphardt’s “In the Matter of J.R. Oppenheimer” is a play based on the real-life story of Robert Oppenheimer, the famous physicist who led the team that developed the atomic bomb during World War II. The play focuses on the hearing that was held to determine whether or not Oppenheimer should be allowed to keep his security clearance after it was revealed that he had communist sympathies in the past. Kipphardt’s play is a fascinating look at the ethical and moral dilemmas faced by scientists working on projects with the potential for great destruction.