Knowledge,+Science,+Nature


 * Theme: Science|Knowledge|Nature|Education **

__**Things to be on the lookout for: **__

Victor's fascination with the supernatural can be attributed to his reading of //Cornelius Agrippa//, and his focused and driven education. Agrippa increases Victor's curiosity with the fictional sciences, which deal with the supernatural, including alchemy and creating human-like beings. M. Waldman furthers Victor's attraction to the supernatural sciences when he said, "The ancient teachers of this sciences, promised impossibilities, and performed nothing." (27) Victor takes M. Waldman's opinion and translates it into his own life, by not making promises to science and by conducting experiments that the ancient teachers only speculated about. M. Waldman also continues Victor's non-liberal arts education into the sciences, which is another driving force goading Victor into creating the being. Victor solely has a scientific education, in which he does not extensively cover the romantic classes, such as languages and history. If Victor had received a more rounded education, he would have probably known to think through his experiments, and analyze the consequences to his actions. Victor was only taught the scientific aspect of experiments, and he was not educated in the ethical aspects of creating a being. Mary Shelley uses Victor's fascination with the supernatural to show the chain of events, which lead to the creature's birth. (Stephanie)
 * 1.Descriptions of the natural world and each character's reactions to it. **

Clerval's opinion. Clerval is fascinated with nature and he has a deep connection to it, which was shown through his calm and tranquil nature. When Clerval senses Victor's angst, he suggests a walk through the trees in order to clear Victor's mind. Clerval's romanticism is shown through his enjoyment and connects to nature. The Romanticism is shown through Clerval's poetry and his subjective view on life. Mary Shelley uses Clerval's love of nature to contrast the solitude of Victor and to show the depth of the friendship. (Stephanie) - Loves environment - Uses environment to clear his mind - Seeks refuge & solace in such a powerful, bountiful atmosphere **(Jacqueline Thomas)** - Questions the realm of such great powers (**Jacqueline Thomas)**

__Key Quotations/Indications of Victor's knowledge and love of nature__ - **Crowell, Holland, Thomas & McDonald**


 * 1) "The catastrophe of this tree excited my extreme **astonishment**; and I eagerly inquired of my father the nature and origin of thunder and lightning" (23).
 * 2) "A **serene sky** and verdant fields filled me with **ecstasy**" (44).
 * 3) "By degrees the **calm** and **heavenly** scene **restored me"** (47).
 * 4) "Night also **closed around**; and when I could hardly see the dark mountains, I felt still more **gloomily**" (47)
 * 5) With a key phrase of "closed around," Shelley further suggests the theme of isolation which can be found in nature.
 * 6) "The following morning the rain **poured down in torrents**, and thick mists **hid** the summits of the mountains. I rose early, but felt unusally **melancholy**. The rain **depressed me**; my old feeling recurred, and I was **miserable**" (60).
 * 7) "The weather was **uncommonly fine**; and if mine had been a sorrow to be chased away by any fleeting circumstance, this excursion would certainly have had the effect intended by my father. As it was, I was somewhat interested in the scene; it sometimes lulled, although it could **not extinguish my grief**" (62).
 * 8) "It had filled me with a **sublime ecstasy** that gave **wings to the soul**, and allowed it to soar from the **obscure world to light and joy**. The sight of the **awful** and **majestic** in nature had indeed always the effect of **solemnizing my mind**, and causing me to **forget** the **passing cares of life"** (64).

Bolded key phrases found in each quotation in order to highlight the essence of Victor's mood which alternates with the course of nature **- Jacqueline Thomas**


 * 2.Comments about knowledge, reason, thought, scientific processes and human will. (17) **

** Comments **** regarding **** Dangerous Knowledge **

The quest for knowledge is the heart of //Frankenstein// as Victor endeavors to reach beyond accepted human limits and access "the elixir of life." Not only Victor, but Robert Walton also attempts to surpass human explorations by striving to get to the North Pole. This passionate pursuit of knowledge is proved dangerous in two ways. As Victor's creature causes destruction physically and emotionally for Victor and his family, knowledge can be perilous. Knowledge also attests to danger when Walton finds himself trapped between thick sheets of ice in the middle of the Arctic. The difference in Walton and Victor's pursuits is that Victor has an unhealthy obsession with alternating nature, which escorts to his death. Walton, on the other hand, eventually pulls back from the arduous sea exploration. He abandons the mission because of what he learns from Victor, just before he died: how destructive the thirst for knowledge can ultimately be. **(Marissa)** Knowledge can be dreadfully dangerous when one is driven by real ambition. “How dangerous is the acquirement of knowledge, and how much happier that man is who believes his native town to be the world, than he who aspires to become greater than his nature will allow” (31). Ambition can lead to destruction when the consequences of directed pursuits are not recognized. Shelley suggests the importance of reasoning and being reflective before acquiring dangerous knowledge and acting on it rationally. (Edited and expanded by **Jacqueline Thomas**)

**Comments regarding the Obsession with the "Unknown"** Victor Frankenstein has such a desire to create life out of something lifeless because of his "God complex," and thirst for the glory of doing something that has never been done before. The term, "God complex" means a certain belief where a person has constant feelings of personal ability, infallibility, and sometimes immortality. A person with this God complex will disregard the possibility of error or failure, even when encountering intractable conflicts in their tasks. With his hubristic character, Victor seems to have this God complex. **(Marissa)**

 Furthermore, the pursuit to uncover the mysteries of the natural world becomes dangerous when a person undergoes seclusion. When in seclusion, a person isolates themselves from the outside world, and is so concentrated on what they are doing, trying to discover the "unknown". Victor encounters this unhealthy isolation in the many obsessive months of creating his creature. He admits, "I had deprived myself of rest and health. I had desired it with an ardor that far exceeded moderation," (34). When Victor says this, he shows that he realizes how obsessed he has become. The obsession with the creature drags him into seclusion, from not only the outside world, but also his family and friends, the people that he loves. When this disconnection and loss of touch with humanity occurs, it is obvious that knowledge can become very dangerous. ** (Marissa) **

**Comments regarding the difference between wisdom and knowledge**

There is no doubt that Victor has knowledge, as he is a widely read young individual who has attended various lectures on a range of professional topics in different scientific fields. However, does Victor, with all of his schooled knowledge, have wisdom? Furthermore, what is wisdom? The analogy that knowledge is knowing that a tomato is a fruit, but wisdom is knowing not to put it in a fruit salad embodies the essence of the differences between wisdom and knowledge. This can be related to Victor and his actions. Victor is knowledgeable enough to know how to give life to an inanimate body, but he is not wise enough to know that just because he can, does not mean he should. Victor succeeds in creating life, but fails in recognizing the consequences and realizing that this gigantic, superhuman creature should never have been created. Through his failure to understand that his experiment, though genius, is not wise, Shelley suggests that wisdom is not only having knowledge and power, but knowing the limits of that power. (CP) (edited and expanded by **Amanda Crowell**)

Knowledge is learning facts and patterns about life, based on the actions of others and past experiences. It requires study, memorization, and practice. Wisdom, however, is learning about life by living it, and learning from one's self. There can be a person who was never been educated formally all of their life, but they can still have an incredible amount of wisdom, simply by living their life. Victor’s creature embodies this type of wisdom, as he learns through his experiences rather than classes and teachers; nature and life is his teacher. Therefore, the DeLacey family serve as the creature's "school", showing him how even marginalized, they can live their simple lives. On the other hand, Victor only gains wisdom after making the huge mistake of forming and abandoning the creature. Although he starts out as a purely knowledgeable person, obsessed with science and alchemy, he soon realizes his actions and gains wisdom as he takes a walk at night and has "considered the being whom [he] had cast among mankind..." (49). (PC) (edited and expanded by **Amanda Crowell**) (further edited and expanded by **Jacqueline Thomas**)


 * 3.Actual descriptions of experiments and their outcomes. **

First Experiment: the Creature (Abby) "When I found so astonishing a power placed within my hands, I hesitated a long time concerninng the manner in which I should employ it. Although I possessed the capacity of bestowing animation, yet to prepare a frame for the reception of it, with all its intricacies of fibres, muscles, and veins, still remained a work of inconceivable difficulty and labour...it was with these feelings that I began the creation of a humann being." (31) "I collected bones from charnel houses; and disturbed, with profane fingers, the tremendous secrets of then human frame...The dissectinng room and the slaughter-house furnished many of my materials" (32) "It was a dreary night of November, that I beheld the accomnplishment of my toils." (34) "I collected the instruments of life around me, that I might infused a spark of being into the l ifeless thing that lay at my feet...and my candle was nearly burnt out, when, by the glimmer of the half-extinguished light, I saw the dull yellow eye of the creature open; it breathed hard, and a conculsive motion agitated its limbs." (34)


 * <span style="color: #990000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">4.Connections between nature and the product of science, the creature|monster. **

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">Nature has an unbelievable affect on the creature. Also noted in the "Additional Themes" page under "Sublime Nature", nature's powers have such an influence on the creature that it begins to affect the creature's emotions (also Victor's). Just as Victor turns to nature for a sublime experience, the creature does as well. Both of these characters' moods alter with various natural settings. For example, picturesque scenes make the creature feel hopeful and raptured; whereas the rain and murky weather causes him to feel disconsolate and helpless. Furthermore, the creature ties to nature in another, grander way. Because the creature is marginalized by society and looked upon as "radically different" and "the other" due to his appearances, he can only turn to mother nature. While society rejects the creature, mother nature grasps and embraces him. Nature is the only thing that can give the creature the least bit of upheaving and compassion. Most importantly, nature has the willingness to accept him while the rest of society does not. (Marissa) (further edited and expanded by ** Jacqueline Thomas ** )


 * <span style="color: #990000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">5.Each character's stance and attitude regarding the natural world. **

VICTOR: In the first two chapters of Volume II, the weather reflects and foreshadows Victor's views and opinions on the events taking place in his life. In Volume II Chapter I Victor and his family visit the valley of Chamounix. He is happy to be with Elizabeth and to show his family the ruins, cottages, and the alps. The weather reflects his good mood caused by being with his family in the wilderness, which shows that the outdoors means a lot to Victor. It is also the happiest he has been in a long time because of his invention, illness, and the unjust fate of his friend. Because of this he uses a very strong word, sublime, four times in the scene. Volume II Chapter II's weather foreshadows Victor's feelings to the upcoming events. It is rainy and cold, and Victor is immediately in a bad mood once more. He then walks in solitude, which often subconsciously lowers his spirits even more. During this rainy walk Victor meets his creature, the thing that he hates more than anything on the planet at this point in time. The cold weather reflects his cold words and feelings toward his own creation, and once more demonstrates his internal feelings externally. Therefore, in the beginning of Volume II the weather and nature does more than set the tone of the scenes- it gives the reader more insight to how Victor is feeling and what makes him have certain emotions. This relationship between the characters and nature will probably continue throughout the novel and will give the reader more awareness to their personalities. (PC)

<span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif;">Henry Clerval is definitely “one with nature.” Nature is his safety, and what he can rely on. When he sees his dear friend in turmoil because of the Creature, he travels with him throughout many picturesque lands. He finds the sublime in the river and describes the happiness he felt when he saw beautiful lands and mountains. However, it is not through nature how Henry dies, but through science. His life was destroyed by what he couldn’t understand. Henry represents the Romantic view of the time that //Frankenstein// was written. (PC)

 The creature began to learn to talk from the people in the cottage, in Volume II, Chapter IV. (Abby)
 * <span style="color: #990000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">6. Where/how did the creature learn to talk? Especially how he became so articulate (is this just the style of writing?). **

While the creature learned basic language from the people living in the cottage, the words he uses towards Victor are not everyday, basic words. He learned this eloquent style of speaking from the books he read, which were very philosophical and definitely would have been written using more advanced language. These books included //Paradise Lost, Plutarch's Lives,// and //Sorrows of Werter.// Since the creature learned so much about himself and about life from these books, it would make sense that he would want to try to copy them as well, and would hold them in high regard. (PC)

**7. How does a missing mother figure effect the upbringing of a child? (CP)**

In // Frankenstein // there are several characters who are missing a mother figure in their upbringing. Mrs. Frankenstein's mother died and this made her grow up faster and be the women of the household. Elizabeth's mother died and her father gave her away to be raised by her aunt and uncle, her aunt filled the void of a mother for Elizabeth.Justine's mother refuses to care for her and she too becomes another ward of Mrs. Frankenstein. Victor's mother died, and it is partiality because of this tragedy that he becomes obsessed with life and death. Victor's younger siblings, Ernest and William, are also left without a mother and Elizabeth steps up to fill that gap. And finally we have the creature, whom is left without anyone to nurture him is the one people call the monster, because he is young when his mother leaves him, and no one is there to fill the void.

__**<span style="color: #990000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">General questions you should think about as you read: **__


 * <span style="color: #990000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">1.Do you think Shelley wanted to support science, critique it, or show its complexities? - Thomas, Crowell, Holland & McDonald **


 * <span style="color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Shelley shows the complexities of science!
 * Process of science vs. Victor's process
 * Victor lacks the scientific method
 * So many things can go wrong: need to consider all variables
 * Need to be organized (unlike Victor who is isolated in his messy laboratory)
 * Both good and bad aspects
 * Good idea of wanting to bring an inanimate object to life BUT poor planning = BAD results
 * Agrippa: believes in alchemy
 * It's important to know science - both the bad & good sides & techniques
 * Overall, science is delicate, unpredictable, consequential!


 * <span style="color: #990000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">2.Why is nature seen as the opponent of science, something to be overcome and subdued? Or is it? **

Nature is definitely seen as the opponent of science in that, scientists, both today and in the Enlightenment Age of //Frankenstein//, trying to "combat nature" through discovering things anew. Victor Frankenstein, a scientist in this text, pursues this "combat" through trying to reveal the "unknown". Once the creature is formed, we find that nature becomes science's opponent as the creature goes out into the world, causing utter destruction. The creature went as far as killing two people in Victor Frankenstein's family. We see here how dangerous nature really is. We are drawn to the unknown because human curiosity revolves around the world that surrounds us and what that world could become. Since the beginning of time, we have been raised to prove a point. And that point to prove in this novel may have what Victor Frankenstein was so eager to prove. **(Marissa)**

While some people would argue that humanity is one with nature, others would say that humanity is completely separate. In //Frankenstein//, these two opposing views are expressed through Victor and the creature. Victor, though well learned in the natural philosophies, views nature from a commanding perspective. He is completely above and separate, thinking that he can control and shape nature to his liking, as seen in his creation of the creature. The creature on the other hand, is part of nature. Because he has to live as a part of nature, completely separate from humanity, the creature learns first-hand humanity's connections with nature. A certain sect of society today would dictate that we are part of nature, and therefore must be kind to it. This view is shared by much of humanity, though in varying degrees. Another part says that we are above nature. Still though, the regard is that, because we are above nature, we must lord over it to make it thrive. The smaller fraction of humanity holds no regard for nature, sharing the belief that we are above nature, but not believing that we should help it to thrive. Instead, we should use it, and abuse it. The overall view could lean to either side, part of nature, or separate from nature, humanity is torn. (Abby)
 * <span style="color: #990000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">3.What is humanity's place with regard to nature: part of it or separate? **

** 4. How do these debates tie in with the Enlightenment/Romantic dichotomy (split)? (cp) (edit & expanded by Jacqueline Thomas)  **

The division between the values of the Enlightenment and Romanticism are very evident with the debates presented on this page. The view of nature of a romanticist and classicist varies, as romantics tend to seek solace in nature. However, a classist tries to reason the different purposes of natural settings. In addition, the split between Enlightenment and Romantic thought is further shown through the way they view knowledge. A classist sees knowledge as simple facts where as a romanticist interprets knowledge to be less tangible and therefore, does not readily seek it. Finally, this division is demonstrated through the methods of education each system of thought employs; romantics learn through the world and experience, and classists learn from written texts.


 * 5. How can Shelley’s novel inform our contemporary debates about progress and scientific advancement? **

Shelley’s novel adds insight into contemporary debates about the progress and scientific advancement through Victor’s and the beings communications and interaction. Contemporary debates revolve around the ethic of cloning and genetic engineering. Mary Shelley suggests the ethical violations of cloning through Victor cruel personality and his hatred towards the being. Shelley specifically portrays this idea when Victor Frankenstein says, “I had desired it with an ardour that far exceeded moderation; but now that I had finished, the beauty of the dream vanished, and breathless horror and disgust filled my heart.” (34) This quote shows that although clones and beings are created like humans they are imperfect. Mary Shelley suggests through Victor is a brilliant human scientist, he is unable to create a perfect being, which suggests the imperfectness of humans in order to control the out come of their experiments. Mary Shelley uses the being’s size in order to show the faults of scientists and the faults of genetic engineering. Mary Shelley shows the faults with the being when Robert Walton describes him when he states, “Over him hung a form which I cannot find words to describe; gigantic in stature, yet uncouth and distorted in proportions.” (152) Victor had the ability to create the being with a small stature, but instead he builds a supernaturally sized being. Mary Shelley implies through Victor Frankenstein’s faults that scientists are imperfect beings and therefore cannot create perfect humans through cloning and genetic engineering. (Stephanie Mellert)

__**<span style="color: #990000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Questions to guide your reading., **__

<span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif;">When he is making his first creature, Victor is obsessed and unusually excited. He delays all other activities and rejects all human contact and focuses solely on learning how to make life from the dead. He evens puts his health at risk by thinking first of his science instead of sleeping or eating. The readers can see that experimenting is clearly a strong passion of Victor’s and that he loves it more than anything. However, when he makes his second creature, it seems more like a burden. The thing that brought him the most joy in life ended up bringing the most pain, and he is unwilling to go through that again. Victor shies away from science and relies more on nature to bring him happiness. (PC)
 * <span style="color: #990000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">1. Notice how strongly Victor reacts to the task of bringing the creature to life. Compare his response with his first creation to show how much his attitudes about science have changed. **


 * <span style="color: #990000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">2. Notice the contrast as he travels away from home (generally, being away from home). Why is Victor so aware of nature now? How|Why has his attitude changed? (SM) **

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">The open, empathetic, and gentle Henry Clerval has an absolute love and ardour for nature and “the divine”. He is fascinated by the charm of flowing rivers, lakes, and mountains. He has a “wild and enthusiastic imagination” for scenic beauty. His gentle, healthful, and gregarious nature matches the gentle, picturesque scenes of nature. Clerval clearly sees the beauty in the divine, while “while others regard [nature] only with admiration, he loved with ardour…” (107). Henry is able to see what Victor does not see. Victor is blind to the exquisiteness and splendor of nature because of his narrow-mindedness. Henry turns to sublime nature in order to gain feelings of awe and hope.
 * <span style="color: #990000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">3. Check out Clerval's love of the river (107) Why? **


 * <span style="color: #990000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">4. Why is it that science, the means Victor was going to use to establish his reputation, is now the thing that alienates him the most? **

<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 11.5pt;">Science is often a collaborative effort. According to the scientific method developed by Roger Bacon, a scientist should use the research of others to help form a hypothesis to base his experiment on. Experiments involve comparing results to those of others, asking for help and opinions, and working with others. However, Victor specifically chooses to work alone, so when he creates something that he is not fond of, he can't ask for the help of others because he knew it was too late. He would have had to explain to his family his motives, and he didn't want to hear them tell him he was wrong. He started in secrecy, so he does everything he can to remain in secrecy until it becomes impossible. Victor refuses to ask for help when things go wrong, but his pride prevents him from doing so. Because he will not ask for help, he cannot correct his mistakes. Therefore, he does not share his results and his experiment fails. (PC and SMc)


 * <span style="color: #990000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">5. Note Victor's reaction to the scientific community in London. **

The blasted tree refers to the tree that was struck by lightening during Victor's childhood. (pg 23) He sees it as something both fascinating and tragic. He says that he "never beheld any thing so utterly destroyed." On page 110 Victor knew that he would soon be reduced to splinters like the tree, and that it was only a matter of time until the lightning reached the core of himself. Victor's life, too, is both fascinating and tragic. He is a brilliant scientist who was able to create life from the dead- something that seemed to be impossible, but in that very same act, just like the lightening, he inadvertently destroyed his life.(PC)
 * <span style="color: #990000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">6. "But I am a blasted tree." (110). Where have you seen this image before? **


 * <span style="color: #990000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">7. Why does Shelley give such a detailed description of every place they travel? How do these romantic descriptions set up a tension|conflict for the scientific act to follow? **

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 110%;">Terrible events usually happen right after the serenity of nature is described in //Frankenstein// which shows the contrast of the Romantic and Classic viewpoints of Shelley’s time. In a way it is opposite foreshadowing. The first time this happens is right before the death of William. Victor and Henry take a trip the summer after the creature is made to regain Victor’s health. Victor is very happy and describes the beautiful skies and fields. However, right after this William is killed, and when Victor goes home to mourn, the weather is stormy. Shelley is showing a Romantic viewpoint here by making nature a place of happiness and the effects of science something horrible. This happens later in the novel again with Victor and Henry. The two friends are taking a tour of Europe and Victor talks about the beauty of all the places he visits, including Switzerland, Oxford, and Cumberland. However, before the trip is over tragedy occurs again, contrasting the tranquility of nature. This time, Henry is killed. Lastly, this happens on the wedding day of Elizabeth and Victor. Elizabeth notices the fish playing in the water, which is one of the few times animals are described along with the agricultural nature. Elizabeth’s murder is the hardest on Victor, and it finally snaps him. Shelley’s added description of nature might have to do with that. She specifically places her scenes with nature and science in this order to show contrast between Romanticism and Classicalism and to show her support for the natural world. (PC)


 * <span style="color: #990000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">8. Compare the place that Victor chooses for the creation of the 2nd creature with the apartment in Ingolstadt where he created his 1st creature. **


 * <span style="color: #990000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">9. Note descriptions of the 2nd experiment, as well as outcomes. What is Shelley's purpose in having things work out this way? **


 * <span style="color: #990000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">10. Notice Victor's behavior as he destroys the wife-partner? what do you think about this? ****<span style="color: #990000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">How is it described? What are Shelley�s points about science? (SMc) **


 * <span style="color: #990000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">11. On a metaphorical level, how do you interpret the scene in the boat? What judgment does Nature pass on his unnatural act? **


 * <span style="color: #990000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">12. Even though he constantly refers to his scientific act as "madness", isn't Victor in some ways a reluctant Prometheus? Think of the character and his triumph- What has Victor over c ****<span style="color: #990000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">ome? **


 * <span style="color: #990000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">13. Notice the descriptions of Nature on the wedding day. How do mountains reflect the scene? (Sarah McDonald) **

<span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 11.5pt;">The weather on the wedding day shows the mood of what is happening; it is calm right after their wedding but turns stormy as night falls, and the mountains loom high above to show the something big and dangerous on the horizon. The air is soft and calm during the sunset, which represents peacefulness. There are slowly moving trees and “the most delightful scent of flowers and hay” (134). These descriptions are showing life and happiness. The whole family had waited for their marriage for a long time. The light and breezy surroundings represent the brief relief from the burdens brought on by the creature. A lot of stress comes from dealing with grief, and for the Frankensteins, after the deaths of Mrs. Frankenstein, William, and Henry Clerval, the stress consumes them. Victor and Elizabeth’s marriage has lightened their moods for a short period of time.

<span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 11.5pt;">Unfortunately, as night falls, a storm comes, which represents the turn of events. The refreshing air of the afternoon has turned into violent gusts of wind. The short time of the calmness is over. A heavy rainstorm begins, and the bleakness of the Frankensteins’ existence will continue. The somber mood becomes even bleaker as the creature comes and kills Elizabeth. The quick turnaround of the weather is reflected in the reversal of the mood within the Frankenstein family. Shelley utilizes the weather as a way to portray the tone of the story and to foreshadow events for the reader.

<span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 11.5pt;">Another way that Shelley uses nature is through the location of the characters. At this point in the novel, Elizabeth and Victor have gone on their honeymoon. The mountains that they see in the distance as they travel represent the eeriness of what will come to pass later. The mountains also serve as boundaries that hold things captive. This is similar to how the creature is always near Victor, and Victor spends all of his time anticipating the creature’s next attack. The anticipation is all-consuming at this point as the creature had previously told Victor that one of his attacks would come on the night of Victor and Elizabeth’s wedding. The fear of what is to come hangs over Victor just as the mountains do. Shelley is demonstrating through this scene how nature, though mysterious, brings about feelings within that connect to the emotions felt through real life experiences, and that is why nature is such a powerful force.