Theme Of Symbolism In Frankenstein
The use of symbolism also strengthens the prevailing theme by tying in additional hidden messages to the novel. The process of Frankenstein relaying his story is painful for him because it is symbolic that he never learned from his mistakes or repented. He expresses this grief to Walton “I cannot describe to you the agony that these reflections inflicted upon me; I have tried to dispel them, but sorrow only increased with knowledge” (Shelley 83). Frankenstein’s story shows how his entire pursuit has brought him nothing but pain and grief. Yet despite telling this story and experiencing all his grief anew, he still does not fully reject the pursuit of excess knowledge. This is symbolic of him being in a state of denial which ties in to how he