~IMAGERY~
This page contains examples of: Allusions, Symbols, Similes, Metaphors, Tone
Allusions
"Like one who, on a lonely road, Doth walk in fear and dread, And, having once turned round, walks on, And turns no more his head; Because he knows a frightful fiend Doth close behind him tread." (Frankenstein p.45) |
There are many references to other works in Mary Shelly's novel, but Victors reference to "The Ancient Mariner" (as quoted to the left) is one of the most blatant.
He is comparing himself to the Mariner of the story, in his isolation. Victor feels isolated, lonely and scared after creating the Creature. He walks alone in the aftermath,just as the Mariner was. Along with his there are references to the Bible, Prometheus(as the story is often refereed to "The Modern Prometheus") Dante's inferno, and more. |
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Symbols
One of the first symbols we see in Frankenstein is lightning. In the first few chapters we see the destruction and beauty of lightning, that sparked(pun intended) his interest in modern science as well as his view on alchemy.
Fire is another, more constant, symbol. It taught the Creature many things; life, death, happiness, pain, light, dark. It also gives warmth to Victor when he was cold and dying, on more than one occasion.
There are also symbols in the moon. The moon guides the Creatures path through the beginning of his story.
Fire is another, more constant, symbol. It taught the Creature many things; life, death, happiness, pain, light, dark. It also gives warmth to Victor when he was cold and dying, on more than one occasion.
There are also symbols in the moon. The moon guides the Creatures path through the beginning of his story.
Simile
"No one can conceive the variety of feelings which bore me onwards, like a hurricane, in the first enthusiasm of success." (Shelly, pg. 40) In this quote Victor compares himself to a hurricane when he began to create the Creature. While he may not have meant it this way, it could also have been foreshadowing the devastating affects that come from the creation of the Creature, just as a hurricane has devastating outcomes. |
Metaphor
A big metaphor throughout Frankenstein is the Creature itself, or Monstrosity. The monster symbolizes both Life and Death, as well as Innocence and Evil. He was born from Death, given life by Frankenstein. And was an innocent creature before the evil of the world made him evil.
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Tone
The tone of the novel is generally dark and devastating, however, there are quite a few moments when the tone turns to one of lightness, and happiness. These moments are Shelly's way of crating the "calm before the storm" aspect. One of these moments that really stood out was at the end of Chapter six, when Victor was happy and ready to go home to his loving family, only to find out in Chapter seven that his happiness was crushed by the murder of his brother, William.
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