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Frankenstein Research Paper

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In Mary Shelley’s novel Frankenstein, scientist Victor Frankenstein creates an abomination of nature by raising the dead. The creation of his monster has disastrous consequences, not only for Victor and his loved ones, but the very existence of his creation violates the natural order. The different ways that characters interact with nature and the differing consequences they face emphasize the idea that nature is ideal when it is unviolated by man and science. Moreover, Shelley shows that nature always has some form of control over the characters, further suggesting that humans must learn to live in harmony with the natural world in order to avoid its wrath. Victor Frankenstein's interactions with nature are varied, demonstrating the consequences …show more content…

Nature's sheer power and beauty fascinate Victor before his desire to play God to a new species takes him over. Later, his violation of nature, creating the Creature, subverts the life-giving way of the natural world. During the period of time in which he worked on his creation, his “eyes were insensible to the charms of nature.” (Shelley 41). Frankenstein believed that he can disregard nature and “pursue nature to her hiding-places” without consequence (40), but nature is not simply a passive, inanimate object like Frankenstein believes. Nature still human attempts to manipulate it; Frankenstein fails to harness the powers of life nature has. His unnatural method of creating life results in a monster, whose features, despite being parts Victor considers to be beautiful, formed a “horrid contrast with his watery eyes” (43). This demonstrates how despite Victor partially succeeded in his desire to create life and overcome the natural order with science, nature ultimately proved more powerful. The fact that Victor's creation is so abhorrent is a warning against pushing the boundaries of the natural world. The consequences of making the monster in Victor’s life also serve as a reminder to appreciate the natural world’s abilities; his younger brother William, Justine, and his wife all lose their lives as a …show more content…

Nature is a powerful force that cannot be controlled or manipulated without

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