Nature In Frankenstein Research Paper

The novel Frankenstein by Mary Shelly is quite the literary masterpiece. Born out of a delayed response to a competition proposed by Lord Byron to write a ghost story, the novel itself has transcended into much more. It incorporates numerous literary themes, and is considered by some to be the first work of science-fiction. Perhaps the most profound and permeating theme is the importance of nature in man’s life. Written in the midst of the Romantic era, nature holds an important place in the lives of Victor Frankenstein and his monstrous creation. When faced traumatic events, from the loss of loved ones to the cruelty of man, both the novel’s titular scientist and his superhuman aberration find solace secluding themselves from humanity and embracing the

Like many other works from the Romantic era, nature plays an important role in the story. Frankenstein confessed early in the novel that no other vocation called to him like the study of nature and science did. “It was the secrets of heaven and earth that I desired to learn; and whether it was the outward substance of things or the inner spirit of nature and the mysterious soul of man that occupied me…” (Shelly 33). In fact, as evidenced in this quote “…I betook myself to… the branches of study appertaining to that science as being built upon secure foundations, and so worthy of my consideration,” it was a natural scientist’s explanation of a fateful lightning strike which inspired the young Frankenstein to take upon the study of true sciences (Shelly 31). Nature’s place in the young scientist’s life only intensified as the novel progresses, as nature begins to provide him a sort of comfort from the stress and