Figurative Language Revealed In Mary Shelley's Frankenstein

Who's the monster: When nature is no longer nurtured

In Frankenstein, Mary Shelley indicts man for his determination to master nature, suggesting that human arrogance will inevitably result in destruction and death. Using rich imagery, permeating symbolism, and consistent foreshadowing, Shelley has written a cautionary tale of man’s collision with the natural world that eradicates beauty and corrupts the human spirit.

Life is idyllic before Victor Frankenstein determines to tinker with science and alter nature. Shelley uses lush imagery to confirm the harmony that exists between man and nature. "The majestic and wondrous scenes which surrounding our Swiss home - the sublime shapes of the mountains; the changes of the seasons; tempest and

Frankenstein describes his adopted sister or what he calls “cousin” Elizabeth with warm, passionate approval, noting "Her hair was the brightest living gold, and despite the poverty of her clothing, seemed to set a crown of distinction on her head” (36). The imagery, especially the connection between "living gold" and "crown of distinction" draws a connection to heavenly gods. Frankenstein goes from describing the sheer contentment of his life to attributing the characteristics of a goddess to Elizabeth. Frankenstein's childhood is not only lovely and ideal, but even approaches something godly. Frankenstein, at least in the beginning of the novel, is leading an ideal life in an ideal family. Through her use of hyperbole, Shelley seems to be saying that acceptance of the gifts given to humans raises us to a new level and makes us as close to the gods as we can possibly be. We need to be passive and simply lose ourselves in the goodness that surrounds us. To try to improve on these gifts is

The connection with nature is immediate, and it also links him to the innocence of his childhood. He says, "I remember the first time I became capable of observing outward objects with any kind of pleasure, I perceived that the fallen leaves had disappeared and that the young buds were shooting forth from the trees that shaded my window. It was a divine spring” (63). The "divine spring" contrasts with the "dreary night of November," showing that any tampering of nature will cause the loss of nature. Leaves sprout in the spring, but rot and fall in November, and humans need to make sure they don't disrupt nature and cause permanent rotting and death. As he recovers, Frankenstein seeks comfort in nature and the imagery makes the reader enjoy and love nature as well. Shelley is showing that nature is exquisite when not manipulated, but the moment man tries to change it and do something unnatural, we are left with disasters and ugly