Frankenstein- Can comfort be found in nature
In the Romantic period of literature, nature was often associated with isolation in a positive way. Throughout the novel, Frankenstein: The Modern Prometheus, by Mary Shelley, there is a strong symbolic relationship between loneliness and nature. However, Shelley uses the relationship to show the negativity of being alone. The relationship of nature and loneliness is displayed through three characters in the story: Victor Frankenstein, his creature, and Robert Walton. At the times when the characters are alone and in need of companionship, they feel depressed, confused, and angry; they do not think clearly, and, consequently, they make wrong decisions. They seek refuge in nature, and try to use its beauty to find answers and to fill their void of friendship. Yet, none of the characters ever overcomes their bouts with loneliness because they never find true comfort in nature.Victor Frankenstein claims, "No human being could have passed a happier childhood than myself" (Shelley, 19). His early life was filled with love and nurturing from his parents, his beautiful and adored companion Elizabeth, and his best friend Henry Clerval. However, after he leaves his home to continue his education at Ingolstadt, he remarks, "I, who
Once Walton meets Frankenstein and finds a true friend in him, he begins to "love him as a brother" (Shelley, 11). He fills Walton with happiness, courage, and determination to achieve his quest. However, when Frankenstein starts to reach the end of his life, Walton begins to despair and feel upset with the loss of the one he values and admires so. When he must face his sailors' mutiny against the trip through the north, Frankenstein stands by him. Yet, when Frankenstein's life slowly slips away, Walton has no choice than to give into his crew's demands to return to England. This shows that with the absence of Walton's companion, nature is no longer sufficient to comfort him. Frankenstein is the strength behind Walton. Nature no longer provides the creature with the comfort it once did, but instead infuriates the creature still more, and is threatened with destruction. Therefore, the creature does not overcome his loneliness through nature. had ever been surrounded by amiable companions, continually engaged in endeavoring to bestow mutual pleasure, I was now alone" (Shelley, 25). Frankenstein no longer feels all the happiness he once felt when he was united with his family and friends. He alienates himself from others because he thinks he is "totally unfitted for the company of strangers" (Shelley, 25). "Oh! What a miserable night I passed! the cold stars shone in mockery, and the bare trees waved their branches above me: now and then the sweet voice of a bird burst forth amidst the universal stillness. All, save I, were at rest, or in enjoyment: I, like the arch-fiend, bore a hell within me; and, finding myself unsympathised with, wished to tear up the trees, spread havoc and destruction around me, and then to have sat down and enjoyed the ruin." (Shelley, 97) Robert Walton is a minor character in Frankenstein; yet, he still shares the same lonesome feelings that Frankenstein and his cre
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Approximate Word count = 1295
Approximate Pages = 5 (250 words per page double spaced)
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