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Imagery in Frankenstein

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Imagery in Frankenstein
Imagery in Frankenstein

There is a thematic connection between Robert Walton and Victor Frankenstein (they both have a burning ambition to bring glory upon themselves; both are ambitious, tenacious and driven by a desire to conquer nature. Walton wants to discover a new land, Frankenstein wants to create life). The images of ice and cold that Shelley uses to begin the novel symbolize the cold reception that the creature receives from society and from his creator, Victor Frankenstein. Ice, snow and cold are associated with the creature throughout the novel, from his first appearance in the North Sea to his final disappearance into the “darkness and distance” on the “ice-raft”.
Shelly’s use of language supports her themes. One example is in chapter ten when Victor and his creature have their confrontation. It is once again, icy and cold as the creature confronts his maker and gets a cold and icy reception.
In chapter four, when Victor describes the process of making the Creature, Mary Shelly uses.words and phrases like “My eyeballs were straining from their sockets”, “My confinement”, “My midnight labours”, “My cheek had grown pale”, “My limbs now tremble” and prod students to come to the realization that with this language Shelley is comparing Victor’s process of creating a living being togiving birth † thus establishing through imagery that Victor is the parent of his creature. ”.
Shelley uses very few concrete details to describe the creature, especially compare to the richness her descriptions of nature. Shelly is pointing out the power of nature vs. the power of Victor Frankenstein. Nature is much more powerful.

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