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Specimen In the Island of Dr. Moreau, Montgomery uses the term specimen to relate to Prendrick. He simply says to Prendrick that saving his life was like collecting a specimen. A specimen is an individual or sample taken as a sample of a class or whole. By using the word specimen we can infer certain things about Montgomery's nature and perhaps the role of Prendrick in the novel. First of all, Montgomery is a scientist. He is a scientist that wrestles with his feelings of humanity. Saving Prendrick, and putting his rapport with the captain of the boat in jeopardy by doing so, was a major feat. However, he belittles that deed by saying that it was just an impulse. He just happened to be in the mood to save Prendrick, who was near death on the raft. Montgomery continues to say that it was like collecting a specimen that happened to catch his interest. This is contradicted by Mongomery giving his expert medical treatment to Prendrick in order to save his life. You further see his amity towards Prendrick as he defends him from the cpatain, and almost trusts him enough to tell him secrets that have been pecking at his mind. Initially referring to Prendrick as a specimen is rather interesting. We see how Prendrick is finally allowed on the island where Montgomery lives and works. What will Prendrick's purpose be here? He can be regarded as a specimen of society as a whole. He is an outsider to an island that is full of horrifying sights. Of course, the people of this island - Dr. Moreau in particular - have no one to challenge what they are doing. No one is there to question what is morally right until Prendrick comes into the picture. The role of Prendrick can be applied to our current situation of trying to determine which type of scientific research is morally right and what kind of limits should be placed on controversial endeavors. It is always best to get an outsider's point of view on issues like that, especially if that individual has some knowledge about that field, like Prendrick does. Although I have not finished the book, I believe that Prendrick will offer a point of view that is not dominated by Dr. Moreau's ideals. That will definitely bring about a great change in some of the researcher's thoughts and beliefs about what they are doing.
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