Relationship between the narrator and the natural world in Mary Shelley’s novel Frankenstein; or, The Modern Prometheus essay
In the novel Frankenstein; or, The Modern Prometheus written by Mary Shelley, an outstanding British writer, there are many passages, which demonstrate the relationship existing between the narrator and other characters and the natural world. The changes in nature, e.g. the weather, throughout the book suggest much about the narrator’s personality, his emotional state and his feelings. Actually, these changes in nature can be incorporated into the theme of nature developed by the author throughout the novel. The important role placed on the theme of nature in Mary Shelley’s novel Frankenstein; or, The Modern Prometheus is obvious. According to Nadine Wolf, “one significant task of nature is to underline the emotional state of mind of the characters”(6). Thesis statement: The theme of nature explored by Mary Shelley in her novel Frankenstein; or, The Modern Prometheus is represented both positively and negatively, providing an insight into human emotional state and feelings.
Nature helps to evaluate the feelings and emotions of individuals, their plans and desires. In the novel, the author develops the theme of nature to give explanation to her characters’ ambitions. Towards the end of the Volume 1, Chapter 3, the narrator states, “the leaves of that year had withered before my work drew near to a close: and now every day showed me more plainly how well I had succeeded” (35). The narrator tells about his thoughts and his attitude toward his employment, as well as tells about the role of imagination in his activity. Moreover, the narrator states that he often missed the beauty of seasons as he was engrossed in his scientific activity. Shortly thereafter, the author states, “I remember the first time I became capable of observing outward objects with any kind of pleasure, I perceived that the fallen leaves had disappeared, and that the young buds were shooting forth from the trees that shaded my window” (39). The narrator places emphasis on the role of nature in his life. In general, the narrator’s philosophy of life can be observed through changes in nature that affect his activity.
There are many other examples in the text that demonstrate the importance of the theme of nature. In many scenes throughout the novel nature is cheerful. When Victor Frankenstein recovered from his illness, which he suffered after the birth of his scientific experiment, he managed to feel happiness again and was involved in social interaction with his students. The author says: “the serene sky and verdant fields filled him with ecstasy (Shelley 67). One more example of the significant influence of nature can be observed in the scene that occurred during Victor’s and Elizabeth’s “honeymoon”. Victor enjoyed the feeling of happiness, when the “sun was hot” (Shelley 186). The author uses her romantic ideas to reflect ideal happiness of her characters.
However, nature is not cheerful in all parts of the novel. The gloomy weather mirrors the main character’s experience and feelings. One of the major themes that describe negative effects of nature on the narrator is the theme of ice and snow. At the beginning of the novel, in Walton’s letters to his sister, the narrator writes about his mission toward the arctic in the form of a joyful anticipation of discovering a new region. However, later this joyful experience has been turned into “despair and disappointment” (Wolf 6).
Moreover, the theme of nature refers not only to the narrator, but also to Victor Frankenstein’s creation – to his monster. The first experiences in monster’s life are the seasons of autumn and winter. The author of the novel writes that he was born “in a dreary night of November”, in the “dismal and wet morning” (Shelley 55). Therefore, one of the first impressions that influenced the life of Frankenstein’s creation was coldness. Mary Shelley writes, “it was dark when he awoke, he felt cold also and half frightened” (Shelley 98). Actually, the feeling of inconvenience was associated with ice and snow throughout the novel. Victor Frankenstein’s creation had an artificial body that resisted coldness, and nobody could follow him into the caves of Alps. Nadine Wolf states that “in order to flee from encounters with humans, he has to turn to the kind of nature he disliked the most” (7). So, Victor Frankenstein’s creation met his death in ice and snow.
Thus, it is necessary to conclude that in the novel Frankenstein; or, The Modern Prometheus, Mary Shelley demonstrates the relationship that exists between the narrator and other characters and the natural world, placing emphasis on the changes in nature that reflect the individual’s emotional state and feelings. Besides, Mary Shelley’s novel is a romantic book and the author is a romantic person. The author’s romanticism is in her nature. Therefore, the author pays special attention to the theme of nature throughout the novel.
