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Nature In Frankenstein Research Paper

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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 …show more content…

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

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EVENTS SUPPORTING IDEA EVIDENCE Victor Frankenstein’s appreciation and curiosity of nature’s aesthetics “we witnessed a most violent and terrible thunder-storm” “The wind was high, and the waves continually threatened the safety of my little shiff” Victor’s obsession with ‘penetrating’/uncovering nature’s secrets,

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The role of “science” in Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein has been hotly debated since the novel’s publication, but ultimately today’s historians, scientists, and literary critics alike have attributed its contents to mere science fiction, championing the assumption that “science in Frankenstein is…pseudo-science” and devoid of accurate historical context (Knoefelmacher 317). However, further research has provided evidence of a link between the science of the late 18th Century and early 19th Century and the events of the novel. At the beginning of the novel, we are introduced to Robert Walton through a series of letters written to his sister. In these letters it is revealed that Walton is making a dangerous trip to the North Pole, hoping to find

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After being subjected to a terribly cold and harsh winter, the Frankenstein monster heaves a sigh of relief at the advent of spring season. When Victor dumps the monster, he feels awfully depressed and confused. He feels a new surge, a "sensation of pleasure" (71) when he sees the bright moon and its gentle light. Abandoned by his creator, the monster too finds refuge in the lap of Nature. Temporary or transient, succor and peace come to Victor Frankenstein only in the lap of Nature.

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In the novel Frankenstein, the author Mary Shelley shows the everlasting power of nature by limiting the knowledge man can learn about it. Throughout the book there are many times when Victor yearns for nature in order to heal him from the misery and violence in his life. This misery and violence are caused by his determination to learn more about the natural world. The monster Victor creates, due to his loneliness, defies the unwritten rules of nature and exemplifies the supernatural aspect of the novel. Victor’s mood completely shifts when he is around nature and he instantly feels calmer when near it.

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Their perspectives of nature, however, are vastly different due to their circumstances regarding companionship and affection from companions. Victor Frankenstein describes nature as calming and it brings him great happiness when he is surrounded by nature because he himself is happy and adored by friends who surround him. Frankenstein has friends whom he holds strong bonds with where “harmony was the soul of [their] companionship, and the diversity and contrast that subsided [their] characters drew [them] nearer together” (29, Chapter 2). He is surrounded by companions that give him plenty of love and affection that in turn, bring him happiness and a favoring outlook on nature. Victor takes pleasure in wandering through various scenes of nature, feeling accepted by it, therefore, he can portray it as full of life and “awful and majestic” (82, Chapter 10).

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The classic novel Frankenstein, written by Mary Shelley in 1818, displays the use of literary devices, foreshadowing, allusions and figurative language, which aid the reader in understanding the authors opinion on scientific exploration. These techniques are used to arouse anticipation within the reader, therefore engaging them throughout the text. Along with providing a greater understanding of the novel, by referring to other books, and using the novel to portray the authors own perspective on scientific exploration. All these devices are effectively used within the novel to provide a deeper understandings of Mary Shelley’s work. Add scientific exploration here-

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In Mary Shelley’s Romantic novel, Frankenstein, an over-ambitious young scientist, infatuated with the creation of life without a female and the source of generation, breaks the limits of science and nature by conjuring life into a lifeless form constructed from stolen body parts. The young experimenter confesses his monstrous tale that defies nature to a captain who shares his desire for glory and the pursuit of knowledge. Though a Romantic novel itself, Frankenstein serves as a critique of part of the philosophy behind Romanticism, that is, the promotion of radical self-involvement that celebrates the individual’s pursuit of glory and knowledge. Both the lone captain and the young scientist seek glory from their quest for knowledge but ultimately their pursuits end disastrously. Throughout the novel, Shelley warns against excessive self-confidence, the ambitious overreaching in the acquirement of scientific knowledge, and the arrogant pursuit of glory, using the young scientist as a forewarning to the lone captain against his

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Numerous research has concluded that several emotional bonds exist between humanity and nature that can impact everything from attitude to anxiety. Novels of the romanticism period, a significant literary era that encompassed most European works written in the early 1800’s, are most known for describing the impacts that nature has on people and implying that unexpected consequences can arise out of this relationship; Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein is a prime example of such a novel. The prime conflict of this 1818 science-fiction story occurs between the titular character, Victor Frankenstein, and a monster he creates through his own scientific innovations. Because of Victor’s abandonment of the monster, it becomes intent on destroying the scientist’s

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(Shelley 55). Nature restores Frankenstein's health. His relationship with nature goes beyond what he can have with his family or any human. It consoles him. When the monster destroyed Frankenstein's family by murdering them, he used to gain support from nature.

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As the book progresses, Shelley’s view of nature slowly comes out; she seems to think nature can be explained by natural examples. The author’s view of nature does not go with the Bible view of it, clearly showing where Shelley’s worldview lies. While Frankenstein may seem like an ordinary mystery novel, the author’s meaning behind it goes much deeper. The book raises questions concerning the power of God, the characteristics of mankind, and man’s view of nature.

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In Mary Shelley's novel “Frankenstein,” nature plays a major role throughout the story. It acts as a backdrop for the unfolding events, impacting both the characters and the plot. Shelley delves into themes of beauty, power, and the interconnectedness of all living things through her portrayal of nature. This essay will thoroughly explore the significance of nature in “Frankenstein” and how it shapes the characters and the story. Right from the novel's start, nature is breathtaking.

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There is a romanticization of nature that stands in Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein, whether it be regarding its beauty or the way in which humans rationalize it to be considered a sort of adopted Mother. Either way Shelley sets nature up as something we can escape to and seek comfort in. Nature as salvation, a mother-figure, and beautiful are interconnected in this novel, all are aspects of romantic humanism, which Timothy Clark speaks on in his chapter “Nature, Post Nature” in The Cambridge Companion to Literature and the Environment. I find Shelley’s representation of nature as something that we should feel moved by and find an understanding of ourselves more compelling to Clark’s thoughts on how romanticizing nature places it in danger.

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In Mary Shelley’s iconic gothic novel, Frankenstein, Romantic themes are strongly represented in order to propagandize Romanticism over the elements of knowledge and the Enlightenment. In her novel, Shelley uses gothic nature settings to foreshadow dark events that are about to happen in the novel. She also uses nature to intensify the effect that is brought during significant scenes, a strong example being, when Victor Frankenstein’s monster approaches him after a long period of time. Nature and its use to influence mood is one of the most paramount themes of both Frankenstein and Romanticism.

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The natural world plays a big role in emotional moments as well as in other significant times in the book. The role of nature has helped change Victor for the

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Nature and Frankenstein compare in their understanding of the relationship between human beings and the natural world because the natural world is an emotional experience and the influence of nature changes the mood drastically. The natural world is an emotional experience for Victor because he got depressed about the death of Justine and William. To cope with his feelings he decided to escape to the hills. Victor struggles to cope with the deaths: The sceneries help Victor out by cheering him up and acting as a sense of relief.

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