Frankenstein: Symbols of Terror, Self-Discovery, and Existence - Essay Sample

Introduction

Literary works featuring characters engaging in horrific acts such as blood-sucking and other forms of terror have always been fascinating to readers of gothic literature. The environment in which the characters learn about themselves plays a vital role in shaping their understanding of the meaning of their existence and relationship with others. No other story depicts these traits more than Mary Shelly's 19th-century classic, Frankenstein. Shelly uses symbolism and behaviors of Victor Frankenstein and Monster to show that the university/home and forest respectively had a significant impact on the two character's knowledge and understanding of their environment and relationship with fellow beings.

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The Influence of Family Background on Victor

The family background influences the knowledge and understanding that Victor demonstrates in the novel. He grows in a good family background, which can be described as satisfactory to the basic needs of a child based on the living standards of the time. Such a privileged socioeconomic position in society, however, did not bring fulfillment that Victor desires, and this is demonstrated in the lack of appreciation of his youth. He says, "I find it arises, like a mountain river, from ignoble and almost forgotten sources; but swelling as it proceeded, it became the torrent which, in its course, has swept away all my hopes and joys"(Chapter 2). The metaphor, as mentioned above, is critical in highlighting how the home settings of Victor's youth played a role in triggering his quest for knowledge about science, as seen throughout the novel. The emptiness of knowledge in the home he grew up in is further highlighted in Victor's revelation his father did not offer any help in his quest for scientific knowledge, and this forced him to teach himself about science. In this regard, he says, " My father was not scientific, and I was left to struggle with a child's blindness, added to a student's thirst for knowledge"(38). He adds that "be steady to your purposes and firm as a rock"(198). Such statements imply that the setting created anger for knowledge, and Victor understood it as only possible through alienation from people to effectively pursue his desire for scientific information. This way, the home family setting acted as a creator of educational desire. As a result, he left home to further his understanding of science.

The Role of the University of Ingolstadt in Victor's Knowledge

The university of Ingolstadt is also a critical setting in which the knowledge and understandings of Victor develop in the novel. Victor saw the environment of the university as an opportunity not only to pursue his dream of doing a scientific investigation. Here, almost all his attention goes to experimental work, and he achieves this by isolating himself from family and friends. At Ingolstadt, he creates his laboratory to enable him to conduct his experiments "in a solitary chamber, at the top of a house"(52). The description is given to the location at which Victor's laboratory was established symbolic in that it represented the big aspirations that he cherished at the time of his arrival at the institution. According to Victor, the university represented a perfect chance for him to explore the ancient works of scientists like Cornelius Agrippa. He believed that he could only be happy with his family and friends after only becoming an accomplished scientist. He promises, "Once commenced, it would be quickly be achieved, and I might be restored to my family in peace and happiness"(147). Therefore, the university offers the tools required by Victor to advance his scientific knowledge. Indeed, this environment provides the knowledge and understanding that enables Victor, which allows him to create the Monster that later turns destructive. Besides, the university setting enhances Victor's idea that one needs to be isolated from acquiring and understanding scientific knowledge.

The Forest as a Catalyst for the Monster's Understanding

The Monster, a creation of Victor, sees the forest as an environment that lacks fulfillment in so as life is concerned. Although it appears serene and comforting, the Monster feels that there is something that is lacking and, thus, goes out to assist human beings as a way of cultivating relationships, which would eventually bring fulfillment. A critical experience of the Monster in the forest is the discovery of sensations of light, darkness, thirst, hunger, and cold. The creature discovers the value of fire brings not only warmth but also making food. The discovery is what creates interest in humans and the resolve to do good to humans (Chapter 12). Like the case of Victor, the natural habitat appears to create emptiness in the life of the Monster, who seeks to help people to get the satisfaction that the forest does not offer. However, humans reject him, and he declares war on them. The Monster says, "from that moment I declared everlasting war against the species"(131). Overall, the forest creates an understanding of the Monster that humans are not good, and such an environment is the best place to stay to realize happiness.

Conlcusion

In conclusion, the educational settings of the forest for the Monster and home and university for Victor create a desire for the two characters to seek happiness. Shelly uses the symbol of nature to show the alienation both characters are going through and how their respective settings equip them with knowledge and understanding of their desires. In other words, the habitat of each character creates some consciousness about the things that they value in life. Such awareness is what motivates Victor to study science and build the Monster. At the same time, it inspires the Monster to go out of the forest to help people acquire food and wood, which are essential for their survival and happiness. However, in both cases, the characters do not get the satisfaction they desire. Victor creates the Monster who commits destruction, and the Monster receives a rejection from humans. Overall, the two settings act as a source of inspiration as well as offer insight into the personality of the two characters as influenced by their surroundings.

References

Shelley, M. (1999). Frankenstein (3rd ed.). Ontario: Broadview Press.