Hence Shelley’s use of the exterior setting of the Arctic, which unravels the framework of the novel through epistolary form. Mary Shelley uses the exterior setting of the Arctic to tell the tale of Victor to Robert Walton as they are “surrounded by ice”, in Letter 4. Being “surrounded by ice” contributes to the gothic concept of entrapment, which allows Victor to tell his tale that usurps nature. This is because the idea of the Arctic was unexplored in the 18th century. Shelley probably read Dante’s Inferno because of the reference in her book, stuck in ice remind us of Dante’s description and the ninth and innermost circle of Hell.
Frankenstein Dialectical Journal Entry # | Quote/Category | Chapter/ Page/Speaker | Commentary | 1 | “The floating sheets of ice that continually pass us… [do not] dismay us.”Theme | Letter 3/ Page 8/ Robert Walton | Walton informs his sister Margaret Saville of the vast and empty ice sheets that passed them every day exemplified the Romantic themes of mystery and the wild. The emptiness of the arctic also showed many Gothic themes of isolation and loneliness, which Walton and the crew all experience before the arrival of Frankenstein, who was almost dead. | 2 | “We perceived a low carriage, fixed on a sledge and drawn by dogs, pass on towards the north, at the distance of half a mile; a being which had the shape of a man, but apparently of gigantic stature”Foreshadowing/ Connections to English class | Letter 4/ Page 9/ Robert Walton | The book has just begun and there are no other characters other than Walton at the moment. So when there is a giant figure on the ice, it is apparent that there is foreshadowing of the monster itself before the main character is even introduced. Later on in the novel, the monster is described as having a gigantic stature, with limbs in proportion.
Unfortunately, progress is often disrupted by failure to meet lower level needs. Victor Frankenstein in Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein, has a very prestigious rise to self-actualization in the book. Victor also has a very dark, and deep downward spiral back towards the most basic deficiency needs as all of his mental abilities for relationships, esteem, and love are lost due to his actions in the novel. Victor Frankenstein supports Abraham Maslows theory of needs by proving it through his life’s story. Victor Frankenstein can be used to prove Maslow’s hierarchy of needs, thus giving persuasion and justification to Maslow’s theory.
As the reader you’re also being told the story of Victor Frankenstein. The connection between Walton and the reader is simply that they’re learning a lesson through Victor Frankenstein’s story. Mary Shelley, set up this novel to teach the reader a lesson through Walton. At the time this novel was written, Realism and Naturalism were slowly creeping upon the decade. During the Realism and Naturalism times scientific experiments and industrial movements were approaching.
Mary Shelley, the author of Frankenstein, has used a framing narrative in the opening letters of the novel, to help set up the major premise of the novel. Through the epistolary form it eases the reader into the story and adds a subplot that gives the main story texture and richness. This technique also focuses on the character parallels between Walton and Frankenstein, and how Walton foreshadows Frankenstein’s story. Many writers of the time wrote in the traditional romantic genre, however Shelley challenges this by writing in the gothic genre through the epistolary form and negative message she conveys through Victor of the dangers of romanticism. To force the reader to actively engage in the text, Shelley uses a fallible narrator unlike the traditional novel.
Consequently, the ethics of humanity is challenged through these creators in both texts as they express the contextual concerns such as post-industrialism and greed. Shelley exhibits both nature and nurture in “Frankenstein”. The importance of nature is illustrated through the use of imagery. Victor states - “These sublime and magnificent scenes afforded me the greatest consolation that I was capable of receiving.” His surroundings control his emotions. This point of view is formed by Shelley’s experience of Romantic Idealism and sublimity.
Derek Gibbins The Creature Completes Frankenstein Frankenstein, speaking of himself as a boy in his father’s home, points out that he believes he is nothing like Elizabeth. He decides to pursue the knowledge of the “world” through investigation and experience, while Elizabeth is more poetry oriented, if you will. As the novel progresses, it is clear that the meaning of the word “world” for Frankenstein is very close-minded. He is hungry for knowledge of the physical world and if he believes an idea is unrealized within society, he attempts to expand the idea in order to give it a better-known existence. He creates the creature, which he then rejects, because its physical body did not end up as he had imagined.
I will analyze the author's title and expain the relationship between the title and the novel. I will also discuss the effect of the title on the reader. -The name "Frankenstein" is often used to refer to the monster itself. Frankenstein is a well established title because it gives a hint of the theme. In the novel, the monster is identified by words such as "creature," "monster", "fiend", "wretch", "vile insect","being", and "it", but speaking to Dr. Frankenstein, the monster refers to himself as "the Adam of your labors", and elsewhere as someone who "would have" been "your Adam", but is instead your "fallen angel."
Halberstam observes that in Gothic novels, “the Gothic monster represents many answers to the question of who must be replaced from the community at large” (Halberstam 3). By having Victor go on a trip with Clerval prior to his wedding, Shelley suggests a homosexual relationship between Victor and Clerval. In addition, Clerval serves as Victor’s “only nurse” when he was ill. This further emphasizes the homosexual aspect in Frankenstein since Victor does not need a female, but instead he favors a devoted male caretaker who willingly risks his life for Victor. In this case, Clerval is less visible monster, which disrupts the definition of an ideal man who should be heterosexual.
Nature’s Role in Frankenstein A monster in isolation, a creator in torment, and nature to bind the two infinitely. Mary Shelley’s Gothic novel Frankenstein, involves the use of nature to mirror the characterization and mood of the characters. By the use of Mother Nature, Mary Shelley personifies the relationship between the character’s moods to the weather and setting of that scene. Victor Frankenstein's urge to explore the secrets of nature, marks the beginning of his end, "I have always described myself as always having been imbued with a fervent longing to penetrate the secrets of nature" (34). He goes on to create this horrendous monster in which he shuns and it is left alone to its isolation.