Mary Shelley’s “Frankenstein” is a novel that employs the use of various forms of symbolism to create meaning and depth in the story. Symbolism is a literary technique where an object, action, or event represents something beyond its literal meaning. The use of symbolism in “Frankenstein” is evident in the use of characters, objects, and setting to represent various themes and ideas.
The use of symbolism in Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein:-One of the most prominent symbols in “Frankenstein” is the monster himself. The creature symbolizes the dangers of playing God and the consequences of ambition without consideration for ethical and moral principles. The monster is not inherently evil but is made that way by the neglect and abandonment of his creator, Victor Frankenstein. The creature represents the idea that ambition and knowledge can be dangerous and that the pursuit of scientific advancement can have unintended consequences. The monster also symbolizes the outcast and the marginalized, as he is rejected by society because of his appearance.
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Another important symbol in “Frankenstein” is fire. Fire symbolizes both creation and destruction, as it is used to create the monster but is also a destructive force in the story. Fire is a recurring motif throughout the novel and represents the danger and power of creation. In the beginning, Victor describes his discovery of the secret of life as being like a “bolt of lightning,” which symbolizes the power and unpredictability of creation.
The monster’s story is also characterized by fire, as he is driven from society and seeks refuge in the forest where he learns to control it. However, fire is also a destructive force in the novel, as it destroys Victor’s laboratory and represents the destruction caused by ambition and the desire for power.
The use of symbolism in Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein:-Water is another important symbol in “Frankenstein.” Water is often associated with birth and creation, and in the novel, it represents the danger and unpredictability of life. Victor’s obsession with creating life is likened to being “immersed in water,” which symbolizes the overwhelming nature of his ambition. Water also represents the power and unpredictability of nature, as the sea and storms are a recurring motif throughout the novel. The sea symbolizes the unknown and the dangers of exploration, while storms represent chaos and destruction.
The setting of the novel also employs symbolism to represent various themes and ideas. The Arctic wasteland where Victor chases the monster represents the dangers of ambition and the pursuit of knowledge without consideration for ethical and moral principles. The harsh environment symbolizes the consequences of Victor’s actions and his obsession with power and control. Similarly, the forests where the monster seeks refuge symbolize the outcast and the marginalized, as the monster is rejected by society because of his appearance.
The use of symbolism in Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein:-Victor’s family members also symbolize various themes and ideas in the novel. His father, Alphonse Frankenstein, represents the idea of paternal love and the importance of family. His mother, Caroline, represents the maternal instinct and the nurturing nature of women. Elizabeth, Victor’s fiancée, represents the idea of purity and innocence, which is contrasted with the corruption and violence of the monster. The characters in “Frankenstein” represent various aspects of human nature and the consequences of ambition and neglect.
Frankenstein “Summary”
“Frankenstein” is a Gothic novel written by Mary Shelley that was first published in 1818. The novel tells the story of Victor Frankenstein, a young scientist who creates a sapient creature in an unorthodox scientific experiment. The story explores themes such as ambition, responsibility, the consequences of actions, and the dangers of knowledge and science.
The use of symbolism in Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein:-The novel begins with the letters of Captain Robert Walton, who is on an expedition to the North Pole. He writes to his sister about his longing for a friend and his desire to discover new lands. On the journey, the crew finds a man floating on a piece of ice, and they take him aboard. The man is Victor Frankenstein, and he tells Walton his story.
Victor Frankenstein grew up in Geneva, Switzerland, and had a happy childhood. He became interested in science and pursued his studies at the University of Ingolstadt in Germany. There, he became obsessed with the idea of creating life, and he spent years working on his experiment. He eventually succeeded in creating a humanoid being from body parts he collected from graveyards and slaughterhouses.
The use of symbolism in Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein:-However, when he saw the creature come to life, he was horrified by its appearance and fled from the laboratory. The creature, abandoned and alone, wandered the countryside and eventually learned to speak and read. He also learned about human behavior by observing a poor family, the De Lacey’s, who lived in a nearby cottage.
The creature longed for companionship and reached out to the De Lacey’s, but they were afraid of him and chased him away. Enraged and desperate, the creature sought out Victor and demanded that he create a companion for him. Victor initially refused but eventually relented, and he and his friend Henry Clerval traveled to Scotland to begin work on a second creature.
The use of symbolism in Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein:-However, Victor soon realized the danger of creating another creature, and he destroyed his work. The creature, who had been watching from a distance, vowed revenge and began to kill those closest to Victor. Victor’s brother William, his friend Henry, and his fiancée Elizabeth were all murdered by the creature.
The use of symbolism in Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein:-Victor became consumed with grief and vowed to destroy the creature. He chased the creature to the Arctic, where he encountered Walton and his crew. Victor died on the ship, and the creature, overcome with grief and remorse, disappeared into the wilderness to live out the rest of his life in isolation.
The novel explores several themes, including the dangers of ambition and the pursuit of knowledge. Victor’s obsession with creating life ultimately leads to his downfall, as the creature he creates turns out to be a monster that causes death and destruction. Shelley also explores the theme of responsibility, as Victor fails to take responsibility for his creation and instead abandons it to its own fate.
The use of symbolism in Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein:-Another theme of the novel is the importance of human companionship and connection. The creature longs for companionship and is rejected by society, which leads to his descent into violence and rage. Victor, too, is isolated and lonely, and his pursuit of knowledge leads him to neglect his relationships with those around him.
Shelley also explores the theme of appearance versus reality, as the creature is judged solely on its appearance and is rejected by society because of it. The creature is initially kind and compassionate, but he is driven to violence by the cruelty and rejection he faces from humans.
Conclusion
The use of symbolism in Mary Shelley’s “Frankenstein” adds depth and complexity to the novel, emphasizing its themes and ideas. The various symbols employed in the novel, such as the monster, fire, water, and setting, are used to represent the dangers of ambition and the pursuit of knowledge without consideration for ethical and moral principles. The characters in the novel also symbolize different aspects of human nature and contribute to the overall meaning of the story. The use of symbolism in “Frankenstein” is a testament to Mary Shelley’s skill as a writer, as it creates a multifaceted narrative that explores important themes and ideas about the human condition.
FAQ.
Q. Who is the monster in “Frankenstein”?
Ans. The monster is the living being created by Victor Frankenstein. He is often referred to as “Frankenstein’s monster,” but he is not given a name in the novel.
Q. What is the central theme of “Frankenstein”?
Ans. The central theme of the novel is the danger of unchecked ambition and the pursuit of knowledge without ethical and moral consideration.
Q. What inspired Mary Shelley to write “Frankenstein”?
Ans. Mary Shelley was inspired to write “Frankenstein” after a conversation with her husband, Percy Shelley, and their friend Lord Byron about the nature of life and the possibility of reanimating a dead body.
Q. When was “Frankenstein” first published?
Ans. “Frankenstein” was first published anonymously in 1818.
