The Influence Of Nature In Mary Shelley's Frankenstein
Numerous research has concluded that several emotional bonds exist between humanity and nature that can impact everything from attitude to anxiety. Novels of the romanticism period, a significant literary era that encompassed most European works written in the early 1800’s, are most known for describing the impacts that nature has on people and implying that unexpected consequences can arise out of this relationship; Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein is a prime example of such a novel. The prime conflict of this 1818 science-fiction story occurs between the titular character, Victor Frankenstein, and a monster he creates through his own scientific innovations. Because of Victor’s abandonment of the monster, it becomes intent on destroying the scientist’s …show more content…
The scientist struggles constantly with sickness throughout the narrative and, while not specifically emphasized, he retreats into nature frequently after regaining consciousness to increase his mental and physical recovery. Textual evidence of nature’s effect on Victor includes when he states, “I remember...it was a divine spring, and the season contributed greatly to my convalescence. I also felt sentiments of joy and affection revive in my bosom; my gloom disappeared, and in a short time I became as cheerful as before I was attacked by the fatal passion” (Shelley 51). Victor acknowledges how the spring season, which includes the regrowth and renewal of the natural world, greatly increases his overall health to where he feels comparable to his self before he created the monster. Some may argue that the inclusion of the seasons into Frankenstein only serves to contrast with the unnatural acts that Victor commits and has no relation to his psychological state as the thesis indicates. However, the novel specifically addresses that the protagonist interprets nature as a sentient, maternal-like entity when he comments that “I pursued nature to her hiding places” as he works to create the monster and, in doing so, acknowledges the relationship he has with the natural world (Shelley 38). Thus, the rebirth of nature in the spring season allows Victor to better recover from his mental and physical
The Force Of Nature In Mary Shelley's Frankenstein
762 Words | 4 PagesThroughout the entirety of the novel, nature is presented in a way that allows the characters to be restored and reach a more peaceful state of mind. Using the common style of nature being presented as a maternal presence, Shelley is able to use nature as an external force throughout the novel. One of the vital ways Shelley illustrates nature as an external character is by her use of seasons affecting specific characters in certain ways. Victor
Why Does Mary Shelley Use Of Personification In Frankenstein
656 Words | 3 PagesFrankenstein by Mary Shelley is a gothic novel that tells the story of scientist, Victor Frankenstein, and his obsession with creating human life. This leads him to creating a gruesome monster made of body-parts stolen from grave yards, whom upon discovering his hideousness, the monster seeks revenge against his creator, causing Victor to regret the creation of his monster for the rest of his life. Shelley uses the literary elements of personification, imagery, and similes to give a vivid sense and visualization of Victor Frankenstein’s thoughts and feelings as well as to allow us to delve deeper into the monster’s actions and emotions. Throughout the novel, Shelley uses personification of various forces and objects to reflect the effect in Victor’s actions.
The Relationship With The Natural World In Mary Shelley's Frankenstein
672 Words | 3 PagesIn Frankenstein by Mary Shelley, the idea of the natural world is recurring and helps relate many characters with nature. Victor Frankenstein, the protagonist in the novel, has a very close and unique relationship with the natural world. In Victor’s life, the idea of the sublime or the natural world comes up in emotional and significant moments. Nature changes Victor’s mood, forms his character, and shows his growth through poetic devices. In Frankenstein, nature directly affects what Victor sees and feels.
Light And Dark In Frankenstein Analysis
1868 Words | 8 PagesHis family and home is everything to him, especially his love for Elizabeth. However, as the story progresses and Victor begins to realize the magnitude of his mistake in creating the monster, his outlook on life changes drastically and shifts to a darker tone. During his trek through the wilderness in search of himself, Victor finds peace and comfort in the bleak and powerful mountains. Specifically “...while rain poured from the dark sky and added to the melancholy impression I received from the objects around me… My heart, which was before sorrowful, now soared with something like joy” (Shelley 67).
Frankenstein Ap Language Essay
671 Words | 3 PagesI had desired it with an ardour that far exceeded moderation; but now that I had finished, the beauty of the dream vanished, and breathless horror and disgust filled my heart.” (Shelley 43) The shift in Victor’s feelings towards the monster reflect the shift in the author’s feelings towards Victor. In the beginning of the novel, Victor is just a boy enamored with science and discovery, but as he grows he descends into greed and selfishness. By the time the monster is alive, Shelley has already lost her respect and love for Victor, just like he has the
Mary Shelley's Frankenstein: The Pursuit Of Knowledge
1420 Words | 6 PagesENG-3U0 November 20 2015 Frankenstein: The Pursuit of Knowledge Throughout the course of their individual journeys, Victor Frankenstein’s extreme passion for gaining knowledge about creating life, Robert Walton’s curiosity to discover land beyond the North Pole and the monster’s eagerness to obtain knowledge about humans was the principal cause of each of their suffering. As such, In Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein, the pursuit of knowledge is a dangerous path which leads to suffering. Victor Frankenstein develops a keen interest in discovering knowledge about living beings which ultimately results in his personal suffering as well as others suffering. To begin with, Victor embarks on an assignment through combining body parts and following various
The Power Of Nature In Mary Shelley's Frankenstein
1120 Words | 5 PagesIn the novel Frankenstein, the author Mary Shelley shows the everlasting power of nature by limiting the knowledge man can learn about it. Throughout the book there are many times when Victor yearns for nature in order to heal him from the misery and violence in his life. This misery and violence are caused by his determination to learn more about the natural world. The monster Victor creates, due to his loneliness, defies the unwritten rules of nature and exemplifies the supernatural aspect of the novel. Victor’s mood completely shifts when he is around nature and he instantly feels calmer when near it.
Natural Imagery In Frankenstein
1333 Words | 6 PagesAfter being subjected to a terribly cold and harsh winter, the Frankenstein monster heaves a sigh of relief at the advent of spring season. When Victor dumps the monster, he feels awfully depressed and confused. He feels a new surge, a "sensation of pleasure" (71) when he sees the bright moon and its gentle light. Abandoned by his creator, the monster too finds refuge in the lap of Nature. Temporary or transient, succor and peace come to Victor Frankenstein only in the lap of Nature.
The Theme Of Nature Vs. Nurture In Mary Shelley's Frankenstein
549 Words | 3 PagesIn the relevant debate topic of Nature vs. Nurture, the Monster’s character in Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein is heavily influenced toward the nurture side of the argument. The Monster’s nurture is how he was raised. The Monster wasn't raised by anyone or anything, and had no experience with loving and affection. The Monster was the depressed creation of Victor Frankenstein.
Frankenstein Passage Analysis
1000 Words | 4 PagesVictor questions why men so instinctively attempt to become superior to nature when men are also a product of nature. He criticizes that if humans reverted to our primal instincts, “hunger, thirst, and desire” (67) that we’d be free, or content with our lives. This is his subliminal self-reflection as he understands that seeking the secret to life, by creating the monster, did not bring him happiness but rather brought him misery and self-loathing. In this last line of the passage, Shelley highlights a major morale and theme of the story which is using science to tamper with nature, a critique against the enlightenment period. The consequences of Frankenstein’s creation have not only caused the death of William and Justine but will also become the reason for his own inevitable doom
Literary Techniques In Mary Shelley's Frankenstein
1083 Words | 5 PagesThe classic novel Frankenstein, written by Mary Shelley in 1818, displays the use of literary devices, foreshadowing, allusions and figurative language, which aid the reader in understanding the authors opinion on scientific exploration. These techniques are used to arouse anticipation within the reader, therefore engaging them throughout the text. Along with providing a greater understanding of the novel, by referring to other books, and using the novel to portray the authors own perspective on scientific exploration. All these devices are effectively used within the novel to provide a deeper understandings of Mary Shelley’s work. Add scientific exploration here-
Literary Criticism In Frankenstein
1245 Words | 5 PagesTheir perspectives of nature, however, are vastly different due to their circumstances regarding companionship and affection from companions. Victor Frankenstein describes nature as calming and it brings him great happiness when he is surrounded by nature because he himself is happy and adored by friends who surround him. Frankenstein has friends whom he holds strong bonds with where “harmony was the soul of [their] companionship, and the diversity and contrast that subsided [their] characters drew [them] nearer together” (29, Chapter 2). He is surrounded by companions that give him plenty of love and affection that in turn, bring him happiness and a favoring outlook on nature. Victor takes pleasure in wandering through various scenes of nature, feeling accepted by it, therefore, he can portray it as full of life and “awful and majestic” (82, Chapter 10).
Nature And Romanticism In Mary Shelley's Frankenstein
758 Words | 4 PagesThe influencing power of nature is somewhat withdrawn at major points in the book, mainly due to its connection with the Byronic hero, Victor Frankenstein. Towards the beginning of the novel, Frankenstein is shown to be both an
Nature And Setting In Mary Shelley's Frankenstein
764 Words | 4 PagesThe references made to nature throughout the novel affect the characters mood. “The very winds whispered in soothing accents, and maternal nature bade me we know more” (77). This quotation from the book shows the impact that nature expressed to Victor that made him feel relieved and happy. “My spirits were elevated by the enchanting and parents of nature; the past was blotted from my memory, the presence was tranquil, and the future gilded by bright rays of hope and anticipations of joy” (96).
Role Of Nature In Frankenstein
377 Words | 2 PagesNature and Frankenstein compare in their understanding of the relationship between human beings and the natural world because the natural world is an emotional experience and the influence of nature changes the mood drastically. The natural world is an emotional experience for Victor because he got depressed about the death of Justine and William. To cope with his feelings he decided to escape to the hills. Victor struggles to cope with the deaths: The sceneries help Victor out by cheering him up and acting as a sense of relief.
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